Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Evaluation NICTD Double Track NWI (DT-NWI) Milepost (MP) 58.8 to MP 32.2 Gary to Michigan City, IN September 18, 2017 This page intentionally left blank. This page intentionally left blank. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND SECTION 4(F) EVALUATION Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) Double Track NWI Project (DT-NWI) Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties, Indiana Prepared for: Prepared by: September 18, 2017 This page intentionally left blank. NICTD DT-NWI MP 58.8 to MP 32.2 Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Evaluation Table of Contents Acronyms .................................................................................................................................................... ix Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................... 1 ES.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1 ES.2 Project Description ........................................................................................................................ 1 ES.3 Alternatives Considered ................................................................................................................ 1 ES.4 Environmental Impacts and Measures to Avoid or Minimize Harm .............................................. 3 ES.5 Public Input Requested ................................................................................................................. 9 1.0 Project Purpose and Need .......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Proposed Project Background ................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2.1 Related Studies ...................................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3 Proposed Project Description ..................................................................................................... 1-3 1.4 Purpose of the Proposed Project ............................................................................................... 1-6 1.5 Needs to Be Addressed ............................................................................................................. 1-6 1.5.1 Need: Increase Operating Flexibility to Reduce Delays ........................................................ 1-8 1.5.2 Need: Meet Existing and Future Travel Demand ................................................................... 1-9 1.5.3 Need: Reduce Travel Time .................................................................................................. 1-12 1.5.4 Need: Enhance Safety ......................................................................................................... 1-13 1.6 Organization of the Document ................................................................................................. 1-15 2.0 Alternatives Considered .............................................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 Alternatives Development and Evaluation Process ................................................................... 2-1 2.2 No Build Alternative .................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.3 Build Alternative and Evaluation of Design Options ................................................................... 2-2 2.3.1 Build Alternative and Design Options – Track and Structures ............................................... 2-5 2.4 Build Alternative and Evaluation of Station Design Options .................................................... 2-26 2.4.1 Gary/Miller Station ................................................................................................................ 2-26 2.4.2 Portage/Ogden Dunes Station ............................................................................................. 2-27 2.4.3 Dune Park Station ................................................................................................................ 2-27 2.4.4 Beverly Shores Station ......................................................................................................... 2-27 2.4.5 11th Street (Michigan City) Station ....................................................................................... 2-27 2.5 Preferred Alternative ................................................................................................................ 2-30 3.0 Transportation Impacts and Mitigation Measures .................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.1 Legal/ Regulatory Context and Methodology ......................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Trails ........................................................................................................................................... 3-2 3.2.1 Existing ................................................................................................................................... 3-2 3.2.2 Proposed ................................................................................................................................ 3-2 3.2.3 Impacts ................................................................................................................................... 3-3 3.2.4 Mitigation ................................................................................................................................ 3-3 3.3 Bus Transit ................................................................................................................................. 3-3 3.3.1 Existing ................................................................................................................................... 3-3 i NICTD DT-NWI MP 58.8 to MP 32.2 Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Evaluation 3.3.2 Proposed ................................................................................................................................ 3-3 3.3.3 Impacts ................................................................................................................................... 3-3 3.3.4 Mitigation ................................................................................................................................ 3-4 3.4 Railroad ...................................................................................................................................... 3-4 3.4.1 Freight .................................................................................................................................... 3-4 3.4.2 Commuter Rail ....................................................................................................................... 3-5 3.4.3 Passenger Rail ....................................................................................................................... 3-6 3.5 Traffic and Roadway .................................................................................................................. 3-7 3.5.1 Existing ................................................................................................................................... 3-7 3.5.2 Proposed ................................................................................................................................ 3-9 3.5.3 Impacts ................................................................................................................................. 3-14 3.5.4 Mitigation .............................................................................................................................. 3-15 3.6 Station Parking and Access ..................................................................................................... 3-15 3.6.1 Gary/Miller Station ................................................................................................................ 3-15 3.6.2 Portage/Ogden Dunes Station ............................................................................................. 3-20 3.6.3 Dune Park Station ................................................................................................................ 3-23 3.6.4 Beverly Shores Station ......................................................................................................... 3-26 3.6.5 11th Street (Michigan City) Station ....................................................................................... 3-26 4.0 Environmental Resources, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures ............................................... 4-1 4.1 Land Acquisitions, Displacements, and Relocations ................................................................. 4-1 4.1.1 Legal/Regulatory Context and Methodology .......................................................................... 4-1 4.1.2 Existing Conditions ................................................................................................................. 4-1 4.1.3 Environmental Impacts ..........................................................................................................