Appendix F: Alternatives and Environmental

Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project Final Environmental Impact Statement Appendix F Alternative and Environmental Considerations Report Documentation of Environmental Conditions and 5% Engineering for the Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project Alternatives and Environmental Considerations Report April 2014 Final Prepared by URS Corporation Prepared for Dallas Area Rapid Transit General Planning Consultant Managed by URS Corporation Document Revision Record Project/Report N ame: URS Project Number: 25338842 PM: Dan Meyers PIC: Jerry Smiley Revision Number: Date: Version 1 September 9, 2013 Version 2 December 31, 2013 Originator: Name Date: Title, Firm Nancy Stavish/Brian Piascik URS September 9, 2013 Brian Pi ascik/ December 31, 2013 Comments by: Name, Firm Date: DART John Hoppie November 13, 2013 Task Manager Approval: Date: Verified/Approved by: Date: Distribution Name Title Firm Alternatives and Environmental Considerations Report ii Documentation of Environmental Conditions and 5% Engineering for the Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project DISCLAIMER STATEMENT April 2014 The Alternatives and Environmental Considerations Report (AECR) is a summary document that outlines the alternatives considered and environmental analyses conducted to date for the proposed DART Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail project. The report contains the results of data collection and an impact analysis conducted by DART between July 2010 and September 2013 and is not a complete or thorough review of the issues found in the corridor. It is based on preliminary 5% design plans and is intended to provide the reader with information about the range of alternatives and design considerations analyzed during this period. It is contemplated that additional work will be required to complete or update this document when direction is provided to advance the project through the capital development process either as a DART project or in conjunction with a private developer. The report includes a status of design or environmental issues so that when work is resumed, there is an understanding of the necessary effort. While the original scope of the Cotton Belt Project included achieving environmental clearance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration and DART’s Policy for Local Environmental Review changes to the project occurred that necessitated changing the anticipated deliverable to the AECR in order to preserve the work that was undertaken under the contract. The AECR identifies the environmental resources and existing conditions associated with the project and includes potential social, economic and environmental impacts of the various alternatives being considered. Suggested mitigation for the identified potential impacts are also included. Alternatives and Environmental Considerations Report iii Documentation of Environmental Conditions and 5% Engineering for the Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 PURPOSE OF REPORT ...................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Project Background ...................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3 Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................ 1-5 2 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ........................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Local Planning Process .................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Alternatives Description ............................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Build Alternatives ................................................................................................. 2-2 2.3 Corridor Sub-sections Descriptions .............................................................................. 2-7 2.3.1 Section 1 DFW Airport to Coppell/Carrollton City Limits ..................................... 2-7 2.3.2 Section 2 Coppell/Carrollton City Limits to Dallas North Tollway ........................ 2-7 2.3.3 Section 3 Dallas North Tollway to Shiloh Road in Plano ....................................... 2-7 2.4 Potential Station Locations ........................................................................................... 2-8 2.5 New Technology Rail Vehicle ..................................................................................... 2-12 2.6 Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility ................................................................. 2-12 2.7 Alternative Development ........................................................................................... 2-12 2.7.1 Design Alternatives ............................................................................................. 2-13 2.7.2 Profile Options .................................................................................................... 2-13 2.7.3 Full Length Alternatives ...................................................................................... 2-14 2.7.4 Potential Minimum Operable Segments ............................................................ 2-14 2.7.5 Previously Considered Alternatives: North Dallas Deep Trench Profile Option . 2-15 2.8 Operating Plan Summary ............................................................................................ 2-16 2.9 Ridership ..................................................................................................................... 2-19 2.9.1 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 2-19 2.9.2 Results ................................................................................................................ 2-19 2.9.3 All Station Alternative ......................................................................................... 2-20 2.9.4 Alternative MOS 1 – Carrollton to Addison ........................................................ 2-21 2.9.5 Alternative MOS 2 – DFW Airport to Addison .................................................... 2-21 2.10 Cost Estimate Summary ............................................................................................. 2-22 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT, EFFECTS AND POTENTIAL MITIGATION ............................... 3-1 3.1 Introduction and Study Area ........................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Land Use ....................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 Socioeconomic Characteristics and Cohesion .............................................................. 3-5 3.4 Parks and Recreational Facilities ................................................................................ 3-19 3.5 Acquisitions and Displacements ................................................................................. 3-30 3.6 Safety, Security and Emergency Services ................................................................... 3-35 3.7 Environmental Justice ................................................................................................ 3-39 3.8 Visual and Aesthetic Conditions ................................................................................. 3-42 3.9 Cultural Resources ...................................................................................................... 3-49 3.10 Soils and Geology ....................................................................................................... 3-51 3.11 Water Resources ........................................................................................................ 3-52 3.12 Biological Resources ................................................................................................... 3-57 3.13 Noise ........................................................................................................................... 3-60 3.14 Vibration ..................................................................................................................... 3-65 3.15 Air Quality ................................................................................................................... 3-68 3.16 Hazardous and Regulated Materials .......................................................................... 3-71 Alternatives and Environmental Considerations Report v Documentation of Environmental Conditions and 5% Engineering for the Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project 3.17 Utilities and Electric and Magnetic Fields .................................................................. 3-75 4 TRANSPORTATION EFFECTS ............................................................................................ 4-1 4.1 Grade Crossing Analysis ................................................................................................ 4-1 4.2 Station Area Impacts .................................................................................................... 4-2 4.3 Proposed Roadway and Railway Modifications ........................................................... 4-3 4.4 Traffic Mitigation .........................................................................................................

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