Appendix H – Scoping Meeting Materials Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Orange Line Extension Comment Card Orange Line Extension Connecting Midway to Ford City The purpose of the scoping process is to identify public and agency concerns early in the environmental process, dene the issues and alternatives that will be examined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and facilitate an ecient EIS preparation process. Please PRINT. Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Organization: ______________________________Title:_______________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________________ State: __________ Zip: ______________ Phone: _____________________________________ Email: ______________________________________ Please comment on the proposed alternatives, the purpose and need for the project, the proposed topics of evaluation and the potential impacts and mitigation measures to be considered. Comments must be submitted by the close of business on October 27, 2009. Scoping comments may be submitted via mail, e-mail, fax or the project website with attention to: Jerey Busby, General Manager, Strategic Planning, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7602, Chicago, IL 60680-7602. Fax: (312)681-4297, Email: OrangeExtension@transitchicago.com, Website: www.transitchicago.com/OrangeEIS, Customer Information: 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), Hearing & Speech Impaired: 1-888-CTA-TTY1 (1-888-282-6891), Transit Information: 836-7000 from any local area code RTA TTY: 312-836-4949 Jeffrey Busby, General Manager Strategic Planning Chicago Transit Authority P.O. Box 7602 Chicago, IL 60680-7602 PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE ——————————————————————————————FOLD HERE—————————————————————————————- Deadline to submit comments: October 27, 2009 Orange Line Extension Connecting Midway to Ford City Speaker Card Date: September 21, 2009 Scoping Meeting Speaker Card Complete this card if you wish to speak this evening. Your input is a vital component of this phase of the project. Please comment on the proposed alternatives, the purpose and need for the project, the proposed topics of evaluation and the potential impacts and mitigation measures to be considered. Thank you for your interest in the Orange Line Expansion project. Name: ______________________________________________________ Organization: _________________________ Title: __________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ City: ____________________________ State: _______ Zip: ___________ Chicago Transit Authority ORANGE LINE EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SCOPING INFORMATION September 2009 PAGE: INTRODUCTION The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is proposing to make transportation improvements by extending the Orange Line, a heavy rail transit line, to connect Midway Station at the Midway International Airport to Ford City. CTA and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate the environmental impacts of constructing and operating the extension. PURPOSE OF THE EIS AND SCOPING PROCESS In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), CTA and FTA have initiated the environmental review process for the Orange Line Extension. An EIS will be prepared to identify impacts related to project construction and operation. As part of the initial phase of the environmental process, a public scoping meeting will be hosted to receive public comments on the alternatives and issues that should be examined as part of the environmental analysis. This public meeting is also a requirement of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which requires project proponents to provide opportunities for public participation in transportation decision-making. The process of determining the scope, focus and content of an EIS is known as “scoping.” Scoping meetings are a useful opportunity to obtain information from the public and governmental agencies. In particular, the scoping process asks agencies and interested parties to provide input on the proposed alternatives, the purpose and need for the project, the proposed topics of evaluation, and potential impacts and mitigation measures to be considered. PAGE: ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Environmental issues to be examined in the EIS include: -- Cultural resources -- Wildlife and ecosystems -- Energy use -- Land acquisition, displacements and relocations -- Land use -- Natural resources (including air quality and water resources) -- Neighborhood compatibility and environmental justice -- Parklands/ recreational facilities -- Safety and security -- Transportation -- Visual and aesthetic impacts -- Noise and vibration -- Zoning and economic development and secondary development PROJECT OVERVIEW In 2006, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) began the Alternatives Analysis process, for the proposed Orange Line Extension. As part of a two step screening process, CTA has held two public meetings over the past two years in order to gather input from the public regarding alternative options. CTA evaluated several alternatives and has adopted the Fixed Guideway Alternative as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for further study in the EIS. The proposed Orange Line Extension will be further refined during the conceptual design phase of the project and is being carried forward for additional study in the EIS. PAGE: PROJECT ALTERNATIVES TO BE EVALUATED IN THE EIS The EIS will include an evaluation of the following alternatives: -- No Build Alternative The No Build Alternative is defined as the existing transportation system, plus any committed transportation improvements that are already in the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Transportation Improvement Program. The Orange Line Project Area has one road improvement project included in the FY 2007 – 2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Cicero Avenue Smart Corridor Project from 37th Street to 63rd Street scheduled for completion in 2009. All elements of the No Build Alternative are included in each of the other alternatives. Summary: * Existing transportation system * Plus committed transportation improvements: the Cicero Avenue Smart Corridor Project * Bus transit service focused on the preservation of existing services and projects * Transit network projected to be substantially the same -- Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative The proposed TSM Alternative is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alternative that operates west on 59th Street from the 59th Street Midway Station bus terminal to Cicero Avenue, and then south on Cicero Avenue from 59th Street to approximately 76th Street. Summary: * No Build Alternative, plus: * Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that operates from 59th Street Midway Station bus terminal to approximately 76th Street * 2.3 miles long with no intermediate stops * Operates in mixed traffic with signal priority on Cicero Avenue segment; no exclusive lanes along Cicero Avenue portion * Park-and-ride facility at approximately 7600 S. Cicero * Bus route 67 67th/69th/71st re-routed to terminate at the new Ford City Station PAGE: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE (LPA): FIXED GUIDEWAY ALTERNATIVE -- The proposed LPA would extend the heavy rail transit line from Midway Station at the Midway International Airport south along the Belt Railway Company (BRC) right of way from 59th Street to Marquette Road, crossing the Belt Railway Company Clearing Yard and ending on Cicero Avenue. Summary: * No Build Alternative, plus: * Heavy rail transit line extension from Midway Station to new Ford City terminal station * 2.3 mile extension with no intermediate stops (conceptual alignment design allows for one future station in the vicinity of the elevated structure at Marquette Road) * Operates partly in a trench and partly at-grade along the Belt Railway Company of Chicago right of way between the existing Midway station and approximately 6400 south, where it would transition to an elevated structure above Marquette Road. It would travel under 59th Street and 63rd Street allowing those cross streets to remain open to traffic. It then would veer to the southwest over the BRC Clearing Yard and then continue south on an elevated structure in the median of Cicero Avenue to a new Ford City terminal station located on Cicero Avenue at approximately 76th Street * Park-and-ride facility and improved bus terminal at new proposed Ford City terminal station * Pace buses from the south will continue to directly serve Midway Station * Route 67 67th/69th/71st re-routed to terminate at the new proposed Ford City terminal station * Two alignment options along Cicero Avenue to 76th Street will be studied in EIS: 1) alignment above the median of Cicero Avenue (recommended to reduce property acquisition costs and impacts to existing businesses) and 2) alignment located directly east of the Cicero Avenue right-of-way -- Other alternatives may also be identified in the scoping process. PAGE: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Map of the locally preferred alternative. The new alignment begins with a trench profile at existing Midway Station terminal station. The alignment follows an existing railroad corridor southward. At 64th Street, the alignment becomes an elevated profile. There is a potential future station at Marquette Avenue. South of Marquette Avenue, the alignment crosses over the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard and veers west towards Cicero Avenue. South of the yard, the alignment is on Cicero Avenue and terminates at the Ford City Mall. The new terminal station can be located either east or west of Cicero Avenue and the final location is to be determined. PAGE: PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED -- The purpose of the Orange Line Extension project is to improve access to the existing Orange Line for southwest side and southwest suburban residents and businesses, support the area’s ongoing economic development efforts, and strengthen the competitiveness of transit in the reverse commute market. -- The need for the project is based on the following considerations: * Access to the Orange Line is currently constrained by limited parking availability * Access to the Orange Line by bus or auto is unreliable due to congestion approaching the existing terminal station * Few uncongested roadways are available to access the current Orange Line terminal because of wider than usual arterial street spacing, limiting mobility for residents and businesses. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -- Throughout the EIS process, CTA will offer a number of opportunities for you to get involved in the Orange Line Extension project. Whether you want to take an active role in shaping this project or just want to stay informed, CTA looks forward to your participation in the months ahead. To ensure that the issues most important to residents, public agencies, and other involved parties are addressed in this review, CTA is hosting a scoping meeting to collect public input. The input gathered from the scoping meeting will help shape the scope of the study, its design efforts and the assessment criteria used in evaluating improvement options. -- Additional opportunities to participate will be provided throughout the environmental review process in order to solicit feedback regarding specific needs and concerns. PAGE: HOW TO PARTICIPATE -- ATTEND A MEETING Monday, September 21, 2009 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Hancock College Preparatory High School 4034 W. 56th Street Chicago, IL 60629 Oral and written comments can be made at the meetings. -- COMMENT * Comments can be submitted by mail or e-mail. * Provide written comments on the proposed project alternatives and potential environmental impacts. Comments will be considered in the scoping process if received by October 27, 2009. * Mail your comments to Jeffrey Busby, General Manager, Strategic Planning, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7602, Chicago, IL 60680-7602 -- STAY INVOLVED * For project information, visit: www.transitchicago.com/OrangeEIS * If you would like to be added to the project mailing list or e-list for future updates, please send your contact information to Darud Akbar, Government & Community Relations Officer, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7567, Chicago, IL 60680- 7567, call (312) 681-2708 or e-mail dakbar@transitchicago.com. PAGE: THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND NEXT STEPS After the scoping period, CTA will start preliminary engineering and prepare a Draft EIS. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS during a 45-day public comment period. During the review period, CTA will host public hearings to receive comments on the Draft EIS from the public and agencies. CTA will then prepare a Final EIS that includes responses to public comments. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will consider the Final EIS and prepare a Record of Decision (ROD) selecting the preferred alternative. Issuance of the ROD indicates that CTA has satisfied all of the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). While CTA can advance on preliminary engineering concurrently with the environmental analysis, the issuance of the ROD will allow CTA to move forward with final design and construction of the Orange Line. TARGETED PROJECT SCHEDULE -- Fall 2009: Public scoping meeting, September 21, 2009 -- 2010 – 2011: Preliminary Engineering and Draft EIS -- 2011 – 2013: Final EIS, ROD, Final Design, Start of Construction -- 2016: Open for Operation Orange Scoping book in Polish Orange Scoping book in Spanish ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SCOPING INFORMATION IN SPANISH Appendix I – Meeting Presentation Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Orange Line Extension Chicago Transit Authority ORANGE LINE EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING PRESENTATION SLIDES September 21, 2009 SLIDE: MEETING AGENDA 6:00 – 6:45 pm Open House 6:45 – 6:55 pm Presentation 6:55 – 7:55 pm Public Comments on Scope of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 7:55 – 8:00 pm Next Steps/Adjournment SLIDE: BACKGROUND -- Alternatives Analysis process began in 2006 -- Evaluated several alternative modes, alignments and profiles -- Extensive public outreach program -- Adopted Fixed Guideway Alternative as Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) -- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) builds on Alternatives Analysis process SLIDE: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) -- Prepared to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and to obtain federal funds -– Identify and evaluate potential impacts related to project construction and operation –- Inform public and decision makers of potential impacts and mitigation measures SLIDE: TARGETED PROJECT SCHEDULE -- Fall 2009 * Public scoping meeting, September 21, 2009 * Scoping: process of determining focus and content (scope) of EIS -- 2010 – 2011 * Preliminary Engineering and Draft EIS * Public review of Draft EIS * Relevant scoping items addressed in Draft EIS -- 2011 – 2013 * Final EIS, ROD, Final Design, Start of Construction -- 2016 * Open for Operation SLIDE: PROJECT ALTERNATIVES TO BE STUDIED IN EIS -– No Build Alternative –- Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative –- Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA): Fixed Guideway SLIDE: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Map of the locally preferred alternative. The new alignment begins with a trench profile at the existing Midway Station. The alignment follows an existing Belt Railway railroad corridor southward. At 64th Street, the alignment becomes an elevated profile. There is a potential future station at Marquette Avenue. South of Marquette Avenue, the alignment crosses over the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard and veers west towards Cicero Avenue. South of the yard, the alignment is on Cicero Avenue and terminates at the Ford City Mall. The new terminal station can be located either east or west of Cicero Avenue and the final location is to be determined. SLIDE: PUBLIC COMMENTS ON SCOPE OF EIS SLIDE: SCOPING COMMENTS Focus comments on: -- Purpose and need -– Proposed alternatives –- Proposed environmental issues to be examined –- Potential environmental effects and mitigation measures to be considered SLIDE: SPEAKER GUIDELINES -- Submit a speaker card -- Moderator will call speakers by name -- Restate your name -- Speakers have 3 minutes to comment * Yellow light indicates 30 seconds remaining * Red light indicates speaking time is over -- Tonight we will not respond to your comments -- Comments will be documented in scoping report SLIDE: MEETING CLOSE SLIDE: SCOPING COMMENTS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 27, 2009 -- Tonight verbal comments were recorded by court reporter -- Write comments and place in box provided -- Mail comments to: Jeffery Busby, General Manager Strategic Planning, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7602, Chicago, IL 60680-7602 -- E-mail: OrangeExtension@transitchicago.com -- Fax: (312) 681-4297 SLIDE: STAY INVOLVED -- Updates posted on: www.transitchicago.com/OrangeEIS -- To join the mailing list, contact: Darud Akbar, Government & Community Relations Office, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7567 Chicago, IL 60680-7567, or call (312) 681-2708, or e-mail dakbar@transitchicago.com Appendix J – Meeting Exhibit Boards Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Orange Line Extension Chicago Transit Authority ORANGE LINE EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING PRESENTATION BOARDS BOARD: NO BUILD ALTERNATIVE -- Existing transportation system -- Plus committed transportation improvements in Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Transportation Improvement Program including select intersection and road widening projects -- Focus on preservation of existing bus service BOARD: Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alternative that would operate west on 59th Street from the 59th Street Midway Station bus terminal to Cicero Avenue, and then south on Cicero Avenue from 59th Street to approximately 76th Street. -- 2.3 miles long with no intermediate stops -- Operate in mixed traffic with signal priority on Cicero Avenue; no exclusive lanes -- New Park & Ride facility at approximately 7600 S. Cicero Avenue BOARD: MAP OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FIXED GUIDEWAY The new alignment begins with a trench profile at existing Midway Station terminal station. The alignment follows an existing railroad corridor southward. At 64th Street, the alignment becomes an elevated profile. There is a potential future station at Marquette Avenue. South of Marquette Avenue, the alignment crosses over the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard and veers west towards Cicero Avenue. South of the yard, the alignment is on Cicero Avenue and terminates at the Ford City Mall. The new terminal station can be located either east or west of Cicero Avenue and the final location is to be determined. BOARD: MAP OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: FIXED GUIDEWAY Extend Orange Line rapid transit from Midway Station south to Cicero Avenue near 76th Street. -- 2.3 mile extension with no intermediate stops -- Park & Ride facility and improved bus terminal near 76th Street -- Some Pace buses from the south may continue to directly serve Midway Station BOARD: PROJECT PURPOSE -- Improve access to the existing Orange Line for southwest side and southwest suburban residents and businesses -- Support the area’s ongoing economic development efforts -- Strengthen the competitiveness of transit in the reverse commute market THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS: -- Access to the Orange Line is currently constrained by limited parking availability -- Access to the Orange Line by bus or auto is unreliable due to congestion approaching the existing terminal station -- Few uncongested roadways are available to access current Orange Line terminal because of wider than usual arterial street spacing, which limits mobility for residents and businesses BOARD: SUBMIT COMMENTS -- Scoping comments due by October 27, 2009. -- Comment on the proposed project alternatives and potential environmental effects. -- Submit comments to Jeffrey Busby, General Manager, Strategic Planning, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7602, Chicago, IL 60680-7602 * Fax: 312-681-4297 * E-mail: OrangeExtension@transitchicago.com BOARD: STAY INVOLVED -- Visit www.transitchicago.com/OrangeEIS -- To join the mailing list, contact: Darud Akbar, Government & Community Relations Office, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7567 Chicago, IL 60680-7567 * Fax (312) 681-2796 * E-mail OrangeExtension@transitchicago.com