DUMBARTON RAIL CORRIDOR Environmental Phase 1 Alternatives Analysis and Project Purpose and Need VOLUME I - FINAL REPORT March 3, 2006 PREPARED BY HNTB Corporation in cooperation with Cambridge Systematics, Inc. Jones & Stokes STV, Inc. Dumbarton Rail Corridor Project - Environmental Phase 1 Final Report DUMBARTON RAIL CORRIDOR DUMBARTON RAIL CORRIDOR ENVIRONMENTAL PHASE 1 VOLUME I FINAL REPORT for Environmental Phase 1 of the DUMBARTON RAIL CORRIDOR PROJECT March 3, 2006 Version Status Initials Date 1 Issued for Internal Review P.G. 12-23-05 2 Issued for Final Review P.G. 1-13-06 3 Submitted to Client and Team P.G. 1-18-06 4 Submitted Final to Client and Team P.G. 3-10-06 March 3, 2006 Page i Dumbarton Rail Corridor Project - Environmental Phase 1 Final Report DUMBARTON RAIL CORRIDOR VOLUME I TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction and Background........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project History ............................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Study Process................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.2.1 Meetings .....................................................................................................................................................4 1.2.2 Technical Reports.....................................................................................................................................5 1.2.3 Screening....................................................................................................................................................5 1.2.4 Phase 2........................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.0 Purpose and Need ..............................................................................................................................................8 2.1 Project Purpose .............................................................................................................................................8 2.2 Goals and Objectives ....................................................................................................................................9 2.3 Issues................................................................................................................................................................9 2.3.1 Rail Alternative Issues and Impacts.....................................................................................................9 2.3.2 Bus Alternative Issues and Impacts.....................................................................................................11 3.0 Alternatives Development...............................................................................................................................13 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................13 3.2 Existing Transit Service and Freight Operations..................................................................................13 3.3 No-Build Alternative ....................................................................................................................................17 3.4 Rail Alternative .............................................................................................................................................19 3.4.1 Travel Demand .........................................................................................................................................21 3.4.2 Service.......................................................................................................................................................22 3.4.3 Stations.....................................................................................................................................................22 3.4.4 Vehicle Technology................................................................................................................................23 3.4.5 Grade Crossings......................................................................................................................................23 3.4.6 Capital Improvements ...........................................................................................................................25 3.4.7 Screening Results.................................................................................................................................. 28 3.5 Bus Alternative ........................................................................................................................................... 30 3.5.1 Screening Results....................................................................................................................................31 4.0 Evaluation of Alternatives..............................................................................................................................32 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................32 4.2 Rail Alternatives ..........................................................................................................................................32 4.2.1 Alternative A: PSR without Niles Connection..................................................................................33 4.2.2 Alternative B: PSR................................................................................................................................. 34 4.2.3 Alternative C: PSR with Centerville Triple Track............................................................................35 4.2.4 Alternative D: PSR with Centerville Triple Track and Newark Grade Separation...................36 4.3 Bus Alternative ............................................................................................................................................37 4.3.1 2010 Bus Alternative .............................................................................................................................37 4.3.2 2030 Bus Alternative ........................................................................................................................... 40 4.4 Travel Demand ............................................................................................................................................ 42 4.4.1 Rail ............................................................................................................................................................ 43 4.4.2 Bus............................................................................................................................................................. 44 4.4.3 Travel Demand Summary.................................................................................................................... 45 4.5 Costs .............................................................................................................................................................. 46 4.5.1 Capital ...................................................................................................................................................... 46 4.5.2 Operating and Maintenance................................................................................................................ 49 4.6 Evaluation of Rail Alternatives................................................................................................................ 50 5.0 Conclusion and Next Steps ........................................................................................................................... 54 5.1 Summary of Conclusions.......................................................................................................................... 54 5.2 Recommended Bus and Rail Alternatives ............................................................................................ 54 5.2.1 Bus Alternative ...................................................................................................................................... 55 5.2.2 Rail Alternative ...................................................................................................................................... 56 5.3 Phase 2.......................................................................................................................................................... 56 March 3, 2006 Page ii Dumbarton Rail Corridor Project - Environmental Phase 1 Final Report DUMBARTON RAIL CORRIDOR 5.3.1 CEQA Lead Agency ............................................................................................................................... 56 5.3.2 NEPA Lead Agency ............................................................................................................................... 56 5.3.3 Document Type...................................................................................................................................... 56 FIGURES Figure 1-1: DRC Study Area ...........................................................................................................................................