Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS Extension TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ES.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES.1 Project Study Area...... ES-1 ES.2 Purpose and Need for Action ...... ES-1 ES.3 Alternatives Considered ...... ES-2 ES.4 Summary of Transportation Impacts ...... ES-4 ES.5 Summary of Environmental Consequences ...... ES-5 ES.6 Mitigation Summary ...... ES-7 ES.7 Financial Analysis and Investment Impacts ...... ES-21 ES.8 Evaluation of Alternatives ...... ES-21 ES.9 Public and Agency Coordination...... ES-23 ES.10 Next Steps ...... ES-23

CHAPTER 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED 1.1 Introduction ...... 1-1 1.2 Corridor Description...... 1-2 1.3 Travel Demand and Transportation Deficiencies ...... 1-8 1.4 Goals and Objectives ...... 1-11

CHAPTER 2.0 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED 2.1 Screening, Selection and Refinement Process ...... 2-1 2.2 Definition of Alternatives ...... 2-5

CHAPTER 3.0 TRANSPORTATION 3.1 Affected Environment ...... 3-1 3.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 3-15 3.3 Mitigation ...... 3-36

CHAPTER 4.0 LAND USE, PUBLIC POLICY AND ZONING 4.1 Affected Environment ...... 4-1 4.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 4-14 4.3 Mitigation ...... 4-20

CHAPTER 5.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS 5.1 Affected Environment ...... 5-1 5.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 5-4 5.3 Mitigation ...... 5-9

CHAPTER 6.0 NEIGHBORHOODS, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 6.1 Affected Environment ...... 6-1 6.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 6-10 6.3 Mitigation ...... 6-20

CHAPTER 7.0 VISUAL AND AESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS 7.1 Affected Environment ...... 7-1 7.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 7-3 7.3 Mitigation ...... 7-12 7.4 Coordination ...... 7-12

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Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension

CHAPTER 8.0 CULTURAL RESOURCES 8.1 Affected Environment ...... 8-1 8.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 8-2 8.3 Mitigation ...... 8-6 8.4 Consultation ...... 8-6

CHAPTER 9.0 PARKLANDS 9.1 Affected Environment ...... 9-1 9.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 9-4 9.3 Mitigation ...... 9-7

CHAPTER 10.0 NATURAL RESOURCES 10.1 Affected Environment ...... 10-1 10.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 10-5 10.3 Mitigation ...... 10-7

CHAPTER 11.0 WATER RESOURCES 11.1 Affected Environment ...... 11-1 11.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 11-5 11.3 Mitigation ...... 11-11

CHAPTER 12.0 AIR QUALITY 12.1 Legal and Regulatory Context ...... 12-1 12.2 Affected Environment ...... 12-2 12.3 Environmental Consequences ...... 12-3 12.4 Mitigation ...... 12-6

CHAPTER 13.0 NOISE AND VIBRATION 13.1 Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Guidelines ...... 13-1 13.2 Affected Environment ...... 13-5 13.3 Environmental Consequences ...... 13-6 13.4 Mitigation ...... 13-11

CHAPTER 14.0 ENERGY USE 14.1 Affected Environment ...... 14-1 14.2 Environmental Consequences – Direct Energy ...... 14-1 14.3 Environmental Consequence – Indirect Energy ...... 14-2 14.4 Mitigation ...... 14-3

CHAPTER 15.0 HAZARDOUS AND CONTAMINATED MATERIALS 15.1 Affected Environment ...... 15-1 15.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 15-2 15.3 Mitigation ...... 15-5

CHAPTER 16.0 SAFETY AND SECURITY 16.1 Affected Environment ...... 16-1 16.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 16-1 16.3 Mitigation ...... 16-3

CHAPTER 17.0 ACQUISITIONS AND DISPLACEMENTS 17.1 Acquisitions and Displacements ...... 17-1 17.2 Mitigation ...... 17-5

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Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension

CHAPTER 18.0 CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS 18.1 Construction ...... 18-1 18.2 Construction Education and Outreach Plan ...... 18-2 18.3 Construction Regulations ...... 18-2 18.4 Construction Schedule ...... 18-2 18.5 Construction Methods ...... 18-2 18.6 Utilities ...... 18-5 18.7 Transportation, Traffic and Parking ...... 18-6 18.8 Land Use, Community Facilities and Businesses ...... 18-6 18.9 Displacements and Relocation of Existing Uses ...... 18-7 18.10 Visual and Aesthetic Qualities ...... 18-7 18.11 Neighborhoods, Community Services and Environmental Justice ...... 18-7 18.12 Air Quality ...... 18-8 18.13 Noise and Vibration ...... 18-8 18.14 Natural Resources ...... 18-11 18.15 Water Resources ...... 18-11 18.16 Cultural, Historical and Archaeological Resources ...... 18-13 18.17 Parklands ...... 18-13 18.18 Energy ...... 18-13 18.19 Hazardous and Contaminated Materials ...... 18-14 18.20 Safety and Security ...... 18-14 18.21 Mitigation ...... 18-15

CHAPTER 19.0 SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 19.1 Definition of Terms ...... 19-1 19.2 Affected Environment ...... 19-1 19.3 Potential Secondary Effects ...... 19-3 19.4 Potential Cumulative Effects ...... 19-6 19.5 Commitment of Resources ...... 19-10 19.6 Mitigation ...... 19-11

CHAPTER 20.0 FINANCIAL ANALYSIS 20.1 LYNX BLE Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project Capital Costs ...... 20-1 20.2 Sources of Funds for General Capital Funds ...... 20-2 20.3 Sources of Fund for Corridor Capital Projects ...... 20-3 20.4 Capital Investment Program ...... 20-5 20.5 Operating Program ...... 20-8 20.6 Financial Projections ...... 20-10 20.7 Forecast Risks ...... 20-12

CHAPTER 21.0 EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES 21.1 Project Goals and Effectiveness ...... 21-1 21.2 Equity ...... 21-6 21.3 FTA New Starts Criteria and Project Status ...... 21-7 21.4 Summary and Significant Trade-Offs ...... 21-10

CHAPTER 22.0 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AGENCY COORDINATION 22.1 Scoping Process ...... 22-1 22.2 Public Involvement Program ...... 22-1 22.3 Project Mailing Lists...... 22-7 22.4 Environmental Justice Outreach ...... 22-7 22.5 Agency Coordination ...... 22-9 22.6 Continued Coordination, Required Permits and Agency Approvals ...... 22-10

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Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension

APPENDIX A: RESOLUTIONS APPENDIX B: AGENCY CORRESPONDENCE APPENDIX C: ACQUISITIONS AND EASEMENTS APPENDIX D: LIST OF PREPARERS APPENDIX E: DISTRIBUTION LIST APPENDIX F: GLOSSARY APPENDIX G: REFERENCES APPENDIX H: LEGAL AND REGULATORY CONTEXTS/METHODOLOGIES

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Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension LIST OF TABLES

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table ES-1: Summary of Environmental Impacts Table ES-2: Summary of Mitigation

CHAPTER 1.0 Table 1-1: Population and Employment, 2008 and 2030 Table 1-2: Corridor Travel Times (minutes) AM Peak, 2009 Table 1-3: Goals and Objectives for the LYNX BLE Table 1-4: FTA New Starts Criteria

CHAPTER 2.0 Table 2-1: Alternatives Studied in Detail in MIS Table 2-2: Bus Service in Northeast Corridor for No-Build Alternative Table 2-3: Bus Service in Northeast Corridor for TSM Alternative Table 2-4: Park-and-Rides in Northeast Corridor for TSM Alternative Table 2-5: Proposed Stations for the Light Rail Alternative Table 2-6: Proposed Stations for the Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Table 2-7: Bus Service in Northeast Corridor for Light Rail Alternative Table 2-8: Capital Costs for the Light Rail Alternative and the Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option, 2009 Table 2-9: Summary of System-Wide Operating and Maintenance Costs

CHAPTER 3.0 Table 3-1: Study Area Daily Trips by Purpose and Orientation, 2009 and 2030 Table 3-2: Regional Daily Person-Trips by Mode, 2009 and 2030 Table 3-3: Operating Characteristics for Routes Serving the Northeast Corridor, 2008 Table 3-4: Annual Ridership for Routes Serving the Northeast Corridor Table 3-5: Northeast Corridor Routes Ranked by Schedule Adherence as Compared to System Average Table 3-6: 2009-2015 NCDOT TIP Programmed Transportation Projects within the Northeast Corridor Table 3-7: City of Charlotte CIP Programmed Improvements within the Northeast Corridor Table 3-8: Planned Future Roadway Improvements within the Northeast Corridor, 2030 and 2035 LRTP Table 3-9: Existing Daily Traffic Volumes, 2008 Table 3-10: Existing Grade Crossings within the Northeast Corridor Table 3-11: Proposed Projects with Bikeways within the Northeast Corridor Table 3-12: Proposed Light Rail Headways by Service Period Table 3-13: Comparison of Headways for Bus Routes by Alternative, 2030 Table 3-14: Transit Travel Times (minutes) for Selected Trips, AM Peak Table 3-15: Auto Travel Times (minutes) for Selected Trips, AM Peak Table 3-16: Daily Transit Trips by Purpose, 2030 Table 3-17: Comparison of Total Trips by Mode, 2030 Table 3-18: Northeast Corridor Bus Ridership Summary by Alternative, 2030 Table 3-19: Light Rail Boarding Projections, 2030 Table 3-20: Light Rail AM Peak Hour Directional Loads, 2030 Table 3-21: Comparison of VMT and VHT, 2030 Table 3-22: Growth Factors Table 3-23: North Tryon Street/US-29 Summary of Median Openings Table 3-24: North Tryon Street/US-29 Median Opening Locations Table 3-25: No-Build and Light Rail Alternatives, Delay and Level of Service by Intersection, 2030 Table 3-26: Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Delay and Level of Service by Intersection, 2030

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Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension Table 3-27: Light Rail Alternative (Sugar Creek Park-and-Ride Option 2) – Delay and Level of Service by Intersection, 2030 Table 3-28: Light Rail Alternative Rail Crossing Summary Table 3-29: Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Rail Crossing Summary

CHAPTER 4.0 Table 4-1: Summary of Potential Impacts on Land Use Policies

CHAPTER 5.0 Table 5-1: Population, Housing and Employment within ½-Mile of Stations, 2009 Table 5-2: Local Revenue Sources Table 5-3: Projected Population, Housing and Employment within ½-Mile of Stations, 2030 Table 5-4: Economic Effects of Construction Activity – Light Rail Alternative Table 5-5: Economic Effects of O&M – Light Rail Alternative, 2030 Table 5-6: Summary of New O&M Jobs Created – Light Rail Alternative Table 5-7: Economic Effects of Construction Activity Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option

CHAPTER 6.0 Table 6-1: Summary of Northeast Corridor Neighborhood Demographics and Quality of Life Index Table 6-2: Community Services and Social Service Providers Table 6-3: Communities of Concern within the Study Area Table 6-4: Summary of Potential Impacts on Neighborhoods

CHAPTER 7.0 Table 7-1: Summary of Potential Impacts to Visual Resources

CHAPTER 8.0 Table 8-1: Summary of Potential Historic Resource Impacts

CHAPTER 9.0 Table 9-1: Summary of Potential Impacts on Park and Recreation Facilities

CHAPTER 10.0 Table 10-1: Federal and State-Listed Species in Mecklenburg County Table 10-2: Federally Endangered/Threatened Species in Mecklenburg County Table 10-3: Summary of Estimated Natural Resource Impacts

CHAPTER 11.0 Table 11-1: Description of Jurisdictional Streams in the Study Area Table 11-2: Jurisdictional Wetlands Located Within the Study Area Table 11-3: Summary of Estimated Stream Impacts Table 11-4: Summary of Estimated Floodplain Impacts Table 11-5: Summary of Estimated Wetland Impacts

CHAPTER 12.0 Table 12-1: NAAQS Attainment Status, 2009 Table 12-2: Existing Maximum Carbon Monoxide Concentrations at Intersections, 2009 Table 12-3: Maximum Carbon Monoxide Concentrations at Intersections by Alternative, 2030, Table 12-4: Comparison of Regional Emissions for the No-Build and Light Rail Alternative, 2030 Table 12-5: Light Rail Alternative Predicted Maximum Carbon Monoxide Concentrations at Parking Facilities, 2030

CHAPTER 13.0 Table 13-1: Ground-Borne Vibration (GBV) and Ground-Borne Noise (GBN) Impact Criteria for General Assessment

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Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension Table 13-2: Noise Monitoring Results – Existing Noise Exposure Table 13-3: Noise Impact General Assessment (2009) Category 1 and 2 Land Uses, Light Rail Alternative Table 13-4: Noise Impact General Assessment (2009) Category 1 and 2 Land Uses Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Table 13-5: Needed Decibel Reductions for the Light Rail Alternative Table 13-6: Needed Decibel Reductions for the Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option

CHAPTER 14.0 Table 14-1: Comparison of 2030 Estimated Daily Energy Consumption Table 14-2: Comparison of Estimated Indirect Energy Consumption

CHAPTER 15.0 Table 15-1: State and Federal Database Review Table 15-2: Items of Concern/Hazardous Material Sites, Light Rail Alternative Table 15-3: Park-and-Ride Station Items of Concern/Hazardous Material Sites, Light Rail Alternative

CHAPTER 17.0 Table 17-1: Comparison of Property Acquisitions

CHAPTER 18.0 Table 18-1: Summary of Mitigation Techniques During Construction

CHAPTER 19.0 Table 19-1: Potential Secondary Project Effects Table 19-2: Mitigation Measures for Secondary Effects

CHAPTER 20.0 Table 20-1: Capital Cost Estimate (Thousands of Year of Expenditure Dollars) Table 20-2: Light Rail Alternative Scenario ($-millions) Table 20-3: Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Scenario ($-millions) Table 20-4: 2030 Characteristics of Financial Scenarios Table 20-5: CATS Sources of Capital Funding and Expenditures - Light Rail Alternative Table 20-6: CATS Sources of Capital Funding and Expenditures - Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Year-of-Expenditure Dollars (Thousands) Table 20-7: 2000-2020 CATS Sales Tax Revenue (millions) Table 20-8: 2010-2030 CATS Operating Revenue and Expense Light Rail Alternative Year-of- Expenditure Dollars (Thousands) Table 20-9: 2010-2030 CATS Operating Revenue and Expense Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Year-of-Expenditure Dollars (Thousands) Table 20-10: 2010-2030 Capital and Operating Summary Forecast Year-Of-Expenditure Dollars (Thousands)

CHAPTER 21.0 Table 21-1: Comparison of Mobility Improvements Table 21-2: Comparison of Costs and Cost-Effectiveness Table 21-3: Summary of New Starts Criteria Ratings LYNX BLE Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project Table 21-4: Summary of the Proposed Alternatives versus the Project Goals

CHAPTER 22.0 Table 22-1: Summary of Public Workshops Table 22-2: Citizen Meetings Table 22-3: Blue Line Extension (Northeast Corridor) Transitions Newsletter Distribution

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Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension

LIST OF FIGURES ABSTRACT Figure A–1: Northeast Corridor Project Development Process

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Figure ES-1: Light Rail Alternative – Locally Preferred Alternative

CHAPTER 1.0 Figure 1-1: The Region Figure 1–2: Light Rail Alternative – Locally Preferred Alternative Figure 1–3: Centers, Corridors and Wedges Growth Framework Figure 1–4: Northeast Corridor Major Activity Centers Figure 1–5: 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan

CHAPTER 2.0 Figure 2-1a: Previously Considered Alignment Alternatives Figure 2-1b: Previously Considered Alignment Alternatives Figure 2-2: Northeast Corridor – 2030 No-Build Bus Network Figure 2-3: Northeast Corridor – 2030 TSM Bus Route Network Figure 2-4: Typical Cross Sections with NCRR ROW & median of North Tryon Street/US-29 Figure 2-5: Typical Cross Section of Center and Side Platform Figure 2-6: 9th Street Station Site Plan Figure 2-7: Site Plan Figure 2-8: 25th Street Station Site Plan Figure 2-9: 36th Street Station Site Plan Figure 2-10: Park-and-Ride Option 1 Site Plan Figure 2-11: Sugar Creek Station Park-and-Ride Option 2 Site Plan Figure 2-12: Old Concord Road Station Site Plan Figure 2-13: Site Plan Figure 2-14: University City Blvd. Station Site Plan Figure 2-15: McCullough Station Site Plan Figure 2-16: JW Clay Blvd. Station Site Plan Figure 2-17: UNC Charlotte Station Site Plan Figure 2-18: Mallard Creek Church Station Site Plan Figure 2-19: I-485/N. Tryon Station Site Plan Figure 2-20: Light Rail Alternative - Sugar Creek Design Option Figure 2-21: Sugar Creek Station – Sugar Creek Design Option Station Site Plan Figure 2-22: Old Concord Road Station – Sugar Creek Design Option Station Site Plan Figure 2-23: Vehicle Light Maintenance Facility Figure 2-24: Contingency VLMF Sites Figure 2-25: Northeast Corridor – 2030 Light Rail Alternative Bus Network

CHAPTER 3.0 Figure 3-1: Existing Northeast Corridor Bus Network Figure 3-2: Major Roads and Railroads Serving the Northeast Corridor Figure 3-3: Planned and Programmed Projects within the Northeast Corridor Figure 3-4: Bikeway Improvements within the Northeast Corridor Figure 3-5: Overall Corridor with Transportation Segments Figure 3-6a: Grade Crossings – 2030 Light Rail Alternative Figure 3-6b: Grade Crossings – 2030 Light Rail Alternative Figure 3-6c: Grade Crossings – 2030 Light Rail Alternative

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Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension CHAPTER 4.0 Figure 4-1: Northeast Corridor ½-Mile Land Use Districts Figure 4-2: 9th Street Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-3: Parkwood Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-4: 25th Street Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-5: 36th Street Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-6: Sugar Creek Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-7: Sugar Creek Station (Design Option) – Existing Land Use Figure 4-8: Old Concord Road Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-9: Old Concord Road Station (Design Option) – Existing Land Use Figure 4-10: Tom Hunter Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-11: University City Blvd. Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-12: McCullough Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-13: JW Clay Blvd. Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-14: UNC Charlotte Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-15: Mallard Creek Church Station – Existing Land Use Figure 4-16: I-485\N.Tryon Street Station – Existing Land Use

CHAPTER 6.0 Figure 6-1: Northeast Corridor Neighborhoods Map Figure 6-2: Environmental Justice and Transit Dependent Populations

CHAPTER 7.0 Figure 7-1a: Visual Resources in Southern Portion of Corridor Figure 7-1b: Visual Resources in Northern Portion of Corridor Figure 7-2a: Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Figure 7-2b: Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Figure 7-2c: Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Figure 7-2d: Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Figure 7-2e: Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Figure 7-2f: Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls

CHAPTER 8.0 Figure 8-1: Historic Resources within the Northeast Corridor

CHAPTER 9.0 Figure 9-1a: Park and Recreation Facilities in Southern Portion of Corridor Figure 9-1b: Park and Recreation Facilities in Northern Portion of Corridor

CHAPTER 11.0 Figure 11-1: Watersheds Figure 11-2: Waters and Wetlands Figure 11-3: Floodplains and Regulated Floodways

CHAPTER 13.0 Figure 13-1: Typical Noise Environments Figure 13-2: FTA Noise Impact Criteria for Transit Projects Figure 13-3: Typical Vibration Levels Figure 13-4a: Noise Monitoring Sites in Southern Portion of Corridor Figure 13-4b: Noise Monitoring Sites in Northern Portion of Corridor Figure 13-5: Noise and Vibration Impacts within the Northeast Corridor

CHAPTER 19.0 Figure 19-1: Proposed Charlotte Region Railroad Infrastructure Improvements Figure 19-2a: Development Projects in Southern Portion of Corridor Figure 19-2b: Development Projects in Northern Portion of Corridor

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