Draft Environmental Assessment Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project Issued by: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Pursuant to 42 USC § 4332, 49 USC § 303, and 64 FR 28545 For more information on the Environmental Assessment, please contact: Lyle Leitelt, AICP Community Planner U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Office of Railroad Policy and Development 1200 New Jersey Ave SE Washington, DC 20590 April 2018 This page has been intentionally left blank. This page has been intentionally left blank. Draft Environmental Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... XI 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED OF THE PROJECT ........................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................1 1.2 Project Area and Study Area .................................................................................................1 1.3 Project Background ............................................................................................................ 10 1.4 Purpose and Need.............................................................................................................. 10 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................. 12 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Criteria for Evaluating Alternatives ...................................................................................... 12 2.3 Evaluated Alternatives........................................................................................................ 12 2.3.1 Alternative 1: No Build Alternative............................................................................... 12 2.3.2 Alternative 2: Offset Overpass with Connector Road (Build Alternative)......................... 13 2.4 Alternatives Dismissed ....................................................................................................... 13 2.4.1 Offset Overpass with One-Way Frontage Roads............................................................ 13 2.4.2 Offset Underpass with Frontage Roads ........................................................................ 14 2.4.3 Offset Underpass with Connector Roads ...................................................................... 14 2.4.4 Offset Overpass with Connector Roads ........................................................................ 15 2.4.5 Other Alternatives Withdrawn from Consideration ....................................................... 15 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION............................................................ 21 3.1 Environmental Issues Excluded from Discussion................................................................... 21 3.2 Existing and Future Land Use .............................................................................................. 23 3.2.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 23 3.2.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 27 3.2.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 35 3.2.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 35 3.3 Consistency with Regional and Local Plans and Programs ..................................................... 36 3.3.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 36 Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project April 2018 Federal Railroad Administration i Draft Environmental Assessment 3.3.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 37 3.3.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 37 3.3.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 40 3.4 Community Character and Cohesion ................................................................................... 40 3.4.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 40 3.4.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 41 3.4.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 41 3.4.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 43 3.5 Relocations and Real Property Acquisition ........................................................................... 44 3.5.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 44 3.5.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 44 3.5.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 44 3.5.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 48 3.6 Environmental Justice ........................................................................................................ 48 3.6.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 48 3.6.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 49 3.6.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 51 3.6.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 59 3.7 Utilities/Emergency Services ............................................................................................... 59 3.7.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 59 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 65 3.7.3 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 65 3.8 Traffic and Transportation/Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities.................................................. 69 3.8.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 69 3.8.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 69 3.8.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 76 3.8.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 78 3.9 Visual/ Aesthetics .............................................................................................................. 83 Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project April 2018 Federal Railroad Administration ii Draft Environmental Assessment 3.9.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 83 3.9.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 83 3.9.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 83 3.9.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 85 3.10 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................. 85 3.10.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 85 3.10.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 85 3.10.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 94 3.10.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 95 3.11 Water Quality and Storm Water Runoff ............................................................................... 96 3.11.1 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 96 3.11.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................. 98 3.11.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................... 98 3.11.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................................. 99 3.12 Hazardous Waste/ Materials............................................................................................. 100 3.12.1 Regulatory Setting 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