Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization Project Environmental Assessment and Section 4(F) Evaluation
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Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization Project Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Evaluation April 29, 2015 Federal Transit Administration Chicago Transit Authority This page intentionally left blank This page intentionally left blank LLLAWRENCE TO BBBRYN MMMAWR MMMODERNIZATION PPPROJECT EEENVIRONMENTAL AAASSESSMENT AND SSSECTION 4(4(4( FFF))) EEEVALUATION Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................... ESESES-ES ---1111 Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization Project ................................................................ES-1 Alternatives Considered ..................................................................................................ES-1 Environmental Impacts and Measures to Avoid or Minimize Harm ..................................ES-3 Public Input Requested ...................................................................................................ES-6 Chapter 1 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................... 111 1.1 Project Background ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Needs to be Addressed ............................................................................................... 7 1.3 Project Purpose .......................................................................................................... 9 1.4 Organization of the Document ..................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2 Alternatives Considered ............................................................................................................................................................................. ............. 111111 2.1 Alternatives Development Process ............................................................................ 11 2.2 No Build Alternative .................................................................................................. 16 2.3 Build Alternative ........................................................................................................ 16 2.4 Subsequent Phases of the RPM Program ................................................................. 29 Chapter 3 TransportationTransportation................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................ ..................................... 313131 3.1 Regulatory Framework/Methods ............................................................................... 31 3.2 Existing Conditions ................................................................................................... 31 3.3 Environmental Impacts .............................................................................................. 34 3.4 Measures to Avoid or Minimize Harm ........................................................................ 41 Chapter 4 Environmental Resources, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures ..................... 434343 4.1 Displacements and Relocations of Existing Uses ...................................................... 43 4.2 Land Use and Economic Development ..................................................................... 49 4.3 Neighborhoods, Communities, and Businesses ........................................................ 55 4.4 Historic and Archaeological Resources ..................................................................... 61 4.5 Visual and Aesthetic Conditions ................................................................................ 70 4.6 Noise ........................................................................................................................ 80 4.7 Vibration ................................................................................................................... 88 4.8 Hazardous Materials ................................................................................................. 94 4.9 Environmental Justice ............................................................................................. 100 4.10 Indirect and Cumulative .......................................................................................... 108 i LLLAWRENCE TO BBBRYN MMMAWR MMMODERNIZATION PPPROJECT EEENVIRONMENTAL AAASSESSMENT AND SSSECTION 4(4(4( FFF))) EEEVALUATION 4.11 Resources with Limited or No Impacts .................................................................... 111 Chapter 5 Public and Agency Coordination .............................................................................................................................. 113113113 5.1 Public Outreach ...................................................................................................... 113 5.2 Agency Coordination ............................................................................................... 115 5.3 Environmental Assessment Distribution and Public Comment Period ..................... 117 5.4 Next Steps .............................................................................................................. 118 Chapter 6 Section 4(f) Evaluation ............................................................................................................................................................................. ............. 119119119 6.1 Supporting Information for this Section 4(f) Evaluation ............................................ 119 6.2 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................ 119 6.3 Organization of this Chapter .................................................................................... 120 6.4 Identification of Section 4(f) Resources ................................................................... 121 6.5 Assessment of Use of Section 4(f) Resources......................................................... 126 6.6 Avoidance Analysis ................................................................................................. 128 6.7 Least Overall Harm Analysis ................................................................................... 135 6.8 All Possible Planning to Minimize Harm .................................................................. 143 6.9 Consultation and Coordination ................................................................................ 146 6.10 Section 4(f) Determination Conclusions .................................................................. 146 Figures Figure 1-1: Red Ahead Program Overview ........................................................................... 2 Figure 1-2: Red and Purple Modernization Program Corridor Overview Map........................ 4 Figure 1-3: Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization Project Limits ......................................... 6 Figure 1-4: Photo Showing Passenger Crowding on North Red Line Train ........................... 7 Figure 1-5: Photo Showing Current Condition of Embankment Wall ..................................... 8 Figure 1-6: Photo Showing Current Condition of Deteriorating Concrete Viaduct ................. 8 Figure 1-7: Environmental Assessment Document Organization .........................................10 Figure 2-1: February 2012 Changes in Alternatives Considered ..........................................14 Figure 2-2: Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization Build Alternative Map ...........................17 Figure 2-3: Photo of Existing Station Interior at Bryn Mawr Station and Conceptual Rendering of Proposed Station Interior Improvements .............................................19 Figure 2-4: Photo of Existing Platform (12-foot Width) and Conceptual Rendering of Proposed Platform-Level Improvements (22-foot Width) at Bryn Mawr Station ........20 Figure 2-5: Alley Spanning Concept ....................................................................................21 Figure 2-6: Schematic of Existing Viaduct ...........................................................................22 Figure 2-7: Photo Showing Existing Viaduct at Balmoral Avenue ........................................22 Figure 2-8: Photo Showing Existing Station and Viaduct and Conceptual Rendering of Proposed Viaduct and Station Improvements at Lawrence Station ......................23 ii LLLAWRENCE TO BBBRYN MMMAWR MMMODERNIZATION PPPROJECT EEENVIRONMENTAL AAASSESSMENT AND SSSECTION 4(4(4( FFF))) EEEVALUATION Figure 2-9: Schematic of Existing Embankment Wall Track Support ...................................24 Figure 2-10: Schematic of Proposed Track Structure and Embankment between Stations (top) and at Stations (bottom) .....................................................................25 Figure 2-11: Conceptual Construction Staging Diagram ......................................................27 Figure 3-1: Existing Walk Times for Pedestrians Within the Project Area ............................33 Figure 3-2: Difference in Walking Time for Southbound Passengers During Construction Stage A ...............................................................................................38 Figure 3-3: Difference in Walking Time