Appendix H – Scoping Meeting Materials Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Red Line Extension Red Line Extension Connecting 95th Street Station to 130th Street 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 _____________________________________E-Mail __________________________________________ 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: RedExtension@transitchicago.com, Website: www.transitchicago.com/RedEIS, 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 Red Line Extension Connecting 95th Street Station to 130th Street Scoping Meeting Speaker Card Date: September 22, 2009 September 24, 2009 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 Red Line Expansion project. Name: ______________________________________________________ Organization: _________________________ Title: __________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ City: ____________________________ State: _______ Zip: ___________ Chicago Transit Authority RED 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 Red Line from the 95th Street station to 130th Street. 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 Red 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 Red Line Extension. As part of the three step screening process, CTA has held six public meetings over the past three years in order to gather input from the public regarding alternative options. CTA evaluated nine alternatives and has adopted the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Heavy Rail Transit (HRT) Alternative as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for further study in the EIS. The proposed Red 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) FY 2007 – 2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). TIP projects within the project area consist of five bridge reconstructions and several road improvement projects that include landscaping, fencing, resurfacing, coordination of signal timing, and a bicycle/pedestrian multi-use trail. All elements of the No Build Alternative are included in each of the other alternatives. Summary: * Existing transportation system * Plus committed transportation improvements: bridge and road improvement projects * Bus transit service focused on the preservation of existing services and projects -- Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative The proposed TSM Alternative is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alternative that operates between the 95th Street Station and 130th Street via East 95th Street, Michigan Avenue, East 127th Street, South Indiana Avenue, and East 130th Street. Summary: * No Build Alternative, plus: * Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that operates between the 95th Street Station and 130th Street * 5.5 miles long with four intermediate stops at 103rd, 111th, 115th and 130th Streets * Park-and-ride facilities proposed at all new stops * Operates in mixed traffic with traffic signal priority along 95th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street * 95th Street terminal expanded to extend the existing bus bays along State and Lafayette Streets approximately 250-feet north to 94th Street to improve circulation and safety * Existing buses from the south continue to serve the 95th Street station PAGE: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE (LPA): UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD (UPRR) HEAVY RAIL TRANSIT (HRT) ALTERNATIVE -- The proposed LPA would extend the heavy rail transit line from the existing Red Line 95th Street Station to 130th Street. Summary: * No Build Alternative, plus: * Heavy rail transit line extension from 95th Street Station to 130th Street * 5.3 mile extension with three new intermediate stops at 103rd, 111th and 115th Streets and a new terminal station at 130th Street * New park-and-ride and bus terminal facilities at each station * Operates on an elevated structure from 95th Street as it heads south along the I-57 Expressway for nearly one-half mile until reaching the UPRR corridor in the vicinity of Eggleston Avenue. It would then turn south along the UPRR corridor to approximately 111th Street where it would turn southeast. East of South Prairie Avenue the alignment crosses over the CN/Metra tracks near 119th Street where it transitions to an at-grade profile and then continues southeast along the former Michigan Central/Indiana Harbor Belt (IHB) railroad right-of-way to terminate in the vicinity of 130th Street. * Buses from the south would be rerouted to serve the new intermediate and terminal stations to speed passenger travel to downtown Chicago * Two alignment options will be studied in the EIS: Tracks could be placed immediately adjacent to the UPRR right-of-way on either the west side (West Side Option) or the east side (East Side Option) * Two options for the 130th Street terminal station will be studied in the EIS: The line would continue south along the IHB right-of-way to either a south or west terminal station location along the north side of 130th Street, just west of the I-94 Bishop Ford Freeway PAGE: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: HALSTED STREET HEAVY RAIL TRANSIT (HRT) ALTERNATIVE The proposed Halsted Street HRT Alternative would extend the rail transit line from the existing Red Line 95th Street Terminal station to terminate at the Halsted Street/Vermont Avenue intersection in the vicinity of 127th Street. Summary: * No Build Alternative, plus: * Heavy rail transit line extension from 95th Street Station to Halsted Street/Vermont Avenue intersection * 5.0 mile extension with three new intermediate stops at 103rd, 111th, 119th Streets and a new terminal station at Vermont Avenue * New park-and-ride facilities at intermediate and terminal stations * Operates on an elevated structure between the existing Red Line 95th Street Station and the Halsted Street/Vermont Avenue intersection in the vicinity of 127th Street. The alignment would follow the median of I-57 Expressway until reaching Halsted Street. It would then turn south onto Halsted Street and continue in the median to Vermont Avenue * Buses from the south would be rerouted to serve the new intermediate and terminal stations -- Other alternatives may also be identified in the scoping process. PAGE: MAP OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE (LPA): UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD (UPRR) HEAVY RAIL TRANSIT (HRT) ALTERNATIVE The alignment begins with an elevated profile at existing 95th Street terminal station. The alignment follows an I-57 expressway southwest to a Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) corridor right-of-way. At the UPRR, the alignment turns south with options to have the CTA tracks on the east or west side of the existing railroad tracks. There are proposed stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, and 115th Street. The extension ends near 129th Street and the UPRR railroad. PAGE: MAP OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: HALSTED STREET HEAVY RAIL TRANSIT (HRT) ALTERNATIVE The alignment begins with an elevated profile at existing 95th Street terminal station. The alignment follows an I-57 expressway southwest to Halsted Street. At/on Halsted Street, the alignment turns south. There are proposed stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, and 119th Street. The extension ends near the intersection of Halsted Street and Vermont Avenue. PAGE: PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED -- The purpose of the Red Line Extension project is to reduce travel times to jobs for Far South Side and South Suburban residents and improve the performance of the existing Red Line 95th Street Station terminal. The project would also provide an opportunity to support economic development initiatives. -- The need for the project is based on the following considerations: * Lack of park-and-ride, passenger drop off and poor pedestrian facilities limit access to the existing 95th Street terminal of the Red Line * Customers accessing the existing terminal facility by bus experience measurable delays resulting from poor performance of surrounding arterial intersections, insufficient space for bus loading and unloading, and insufficient space for bus layovers * Congested bus and passenger conditions at the existing terminal station and bus facility result in safety issues and diminish the attractiveness of transit as an alternative to other travel modes * Roadway performance in the study area is adversely impacted by narrow arterial streets and frequent at-grade freight rail crossings * Study area population is highly transit dependent, minority, and low-income. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -- Throughout the EIS process, CTA will offer a number of opportunities for you to get involved in the Red 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 two scoping meetings to collect public input. The input gathered from the scoping meetings 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 September 22, 2009 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Historic Pullman Visitor Center 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Chicago, IL 60628 Oral and written comments can be made at the meetings. September 24, 2009 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Woodson Regional Chicago Public Library 9525 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60628 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/RedEIS * 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 Red Line. TARGETED PROJECT SCHEDULE -- Fall 2009: Public scoping meeting, September 22 and 24, 2009 -- 2010 – 2011: Preliminary Engineering and Draft EIS -- 2011 – 2013: Final EIS, ROD, Final Design, Start of Construction -- 2016: Open for Operation Red scoping book in Spanish Appendix I – Meeting Presentation Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Red Line Extension Chicago Transit Authority RED LINE EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING PRESENTATION SLIDES September 22 & 24, 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/HISTORY -- Alternatives Analysis process began in 2006 -- Evaluated nine alternatives -- Extensive public outreach program -- Adopted Union pacific Railroad heavy Rail Transit 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 22 & 24, 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): Union Pacific Railroad Heavy Rail Transit Alternative -- Halsted Street Heavy Rail Transit Alternative SLIDE: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Map of the locally preferred alternative. The new alignment begins with an elevated profile at existing 95th Street terminal station. The alignment follows an I-57 expressway southwest to a Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) corridor right-of-way. At the UPRR, the alignment turns south with options to have the CTA tracks on the east or west side of the existing railroad tracks. There are proposed stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, and 115th Street. The extension ends near 129th Street and the UPRR railroad. SLIDE: PUBLIC COMMENTS ON SCOPE OF EIS SLIDE: STAY INVOLVED -- Updates posted on: www.transitchicago.com/RedEIS -- 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 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: 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: RedExtension@transitchicago.com -- Fax: (312) 681-4297 Appendix J – Meeting Exhibit Boards Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Red Line Extension Chicago Transit Authority RED 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 operates between the 95th Street Station and 130th Street via East 95th Street, Michigan Avenue, East 127th Street, South Indiana Avenue, and East 130th Street. -- 5.5 miles long with four intermediate stops at 103rd, 111th, 115th and 130th streets -- Park & Ride facilities proposed at all new stops -- Operates in mixed traffic with traffic signal priority along 95th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street -- 95th Street terminal expanded to extend the existing bus bays along State and Lafayette streets to 94th Street to improve circulation and safety -- Existing buses from the south would continue to serve the 95th Street Station BOARD: MAP OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD HEAVY RAIL TRANSIT OPTION. The alignment begins with an elevated profile at existing 95th Street terminal station. The alignment follows an I-57 expressway southwest to a Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) corridor right-of-way. At the UPRR, the alignment turns south with options to have the CTA tracks on the east or west side of the existing railroad tracks. There are proposed stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, and 115th Street. The extension ends near 129th Street and the UPRR railroad. BOARD: MAP OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE HALSTED STREET HEAVY RAIL TRANSIT OPTION. The alignment begins with an elevated profile at existing 95th Street terminal station. The alignment follows an I-57 expressway southwest to Halsted Street. At/on Halsted Street, the alignment turns south. There are proposed stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, and 119th Street. The extension ends near the intersection of Halsted Street and Vermont Avenue. BOARD: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD HEAVY RAIL TRANSIT (HRT) ALTERNATIVE Extend Red Line rapid transit from the existing Red Line 95th Street Station to 130th Street. -- 5.3-mile extension with three new intermediate stops at 103rd, 111th and 115th Streets and a new terminal station at 130th Street -- New Park & Ride and bus terminal facilities at each station -- Buses from the south would be re-routed to serve the new intermediate and terminal stations to speed passenger travel to downtown Chicago BOARD: HALSTED STREET HEAVY RAIL TRANSIT (HRT) ALTERNATIVE Extend Red Line rapid transit from the existing Red Line 95th Street station to Halsted Street/Vermont Avenue intersection in the vicinity of 127th Street. -- 5-mile extension with three new intermediate stops at 103rd, 111th, 119th streets and a new terminal station at Vermont Avenue -- New Park & Ride facilities at intermediate and terminal stations -- Buses from the south would be re-routed to serve the new intermediate and terminal stations BOARD: PROJECT PURPOSE -- Reduce travel times to jobs for Far South Side and South Suburban residents -- Improve performance of existing Red Line 95th Street Station terminal -- Provide an opportunity to support economic development initiatives THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS: Lack of Park & Ride, passenger drop off and poor pedestrian facilities limit access to existing 95th Street Red Line terminal station -- Customers accessing existing terminal facility by bus experience measurable delays -- Congested bus and passenger conditions at existing terminal station and bus facility result in safety issues and diminish the attractiveness of transit as an alternative to other travel modes -- Roadway performance in study area is adversely impacted by narrow arterial streets and frequent at-grade freight rail crossings -- Study area population is highly transit dependent, minority and low-income 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: RedExtension@transitchicago.com BOARD: STAY INVOLVED -- Visit www.transitchicago.com/RedEIS -- 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 RedExtension@transitchicago.com