CONNECTICUT RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT Environmental Assessment & Section 4(f) Evaluation MAY 2014 Table of Contents Executive Summary..................................................................................................................S-1 1: Purpose and Need................................................................................................................. 1-1 A. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1-1 B. Project Description.......................................................................................................... 1-1 C. Existing Conditions......................................................................................................... 1-1 Regional Passenger Rail System........................................................................................ 1-1 Bridge History.................................................................................................................... 1-2 Current Bridge Operations ................................................................................................. 1-2 Navigation Along the Connecticut River ........................................................................... 1-3 D. Problem Identification and Need..................................................................................... 1-4 Bridge Structure ................................................................................................................. 1-4 Navigation Channel............................................................................................................ 1-4 E. Planning Context............................................................................................................. 1-5 Related Prior Projects......................................................................................................... 1-5 ARRA and PRIIA............................................................................................................... 1-5 State of Good Repair.......................................................................................................... 1-6 Amtrak’s 2012 Update Report ........................................................................................... 1-6 NEC Future Tier I EIS ....................................................................................................... 1-6 F. Project Purpose, Goals, and Objectives .......................................................................... 1-7 G. Environmental Review Process....................................................................................... 1-8 2: Project Alternatives.............................................................................................................. 2-1 A. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 2-1 B. Area of Potential Effect................................................................................................... 2-1 C. Alternatives Development and Screening....................................................................... 2-1 Alternative Groups 1, 2, and 3 ........................................................................................... 2-3 Alternative Groups 4 and 5 ................................................................................................ 2-4 Alternative Groups 6 and 7 ................................................................................................ 2-5 D. No Action Alternative..................................................................................................... 2-5 Replacement of Niantic River Bridge ................................................................................ 2-6 New Shore Line East Stations............................................................................................ 2-6 Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge (Q-Bridge) Construction .................................................. 2-6 ConnDOT New Haven - Hartford – Springfield Rail Program.......................................... 2-6 Amtrak State of Good Repair Program .............................................................................. 2-7 MTA Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line Improvements........................................... 2-7 CTTRANSIT New Britain – Hartford Rapid Transit......................................................... 2-7 E. Preferred Build Alternative ............................................................................................. 2-8 Superstructure and Substructure......................................................................................... 2-8 Communications and Signaling.......................................................................................... 2-9 TOC-1 May 2014 Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project EA Catenary and Traction Power .............................................................................................2-9 F. Capital Costs....................................................................................................................2-9 G. Potential Permits Required ..............................................................................................2-9 3: Transportation Effects..........................................................................................................3-1 A. Introduction and Methodology ........................................................................................3-1 B. Existing Conditions .........................................................................................................3-1 Intercity Rail.......................................................................................................................3-1 Freight Service....................................................................................................................3-2 Public Transportation..........................................................................................................3-2 Navigable Waters................................................................................................................3-5 Regional Highway System .................................................................................................3-6 C. No Action Alternative .....................................................................................................3-7 Population and Employment Growth .................................................................................3-7 Intercity Rail.......................................................................................................................3-7 Freight Service....................................................................................................................3-8 Public Transportation..........................................................................................................3-8 Navigable Waters................................................................................................................3-9 Regional Highway System .................................................................................................3-9 D. Probable Impacts of the Preferred Alternative ..............................................................3-10 Intercity Rail.....................................................................................................................3-10 Freight Service..................................................................................................................3-10 Public Transportation........................................................................................................3-10 Navigable Waters..............................................................................................................3-11 Regional Highway System ...............................................................................................3-11 4: Land Use and Socioeconomic Conditions ...........................................................................4-1 A. Introduction .....................................................................................................................4-1 B. Regulatory Context and Methodology ............................................................................4-1 Regulatory Context.............................................................................................................4-1 Methodology.......................................................................................................................4-2 C. Existing Conditions .........................................................................................................4-3 Land Use.............................................................................................................................4-3 Zoning and Public Policy....................................................................................................4-4 Parkland and Open Space ...................................................................................................4-9 Socioeconomic Conditions .................................................................................................4-9 D. No Action Alternative ...................................................................................................4-11 E. Probable Impacts of the Preferred Alternative ..............................................................4-11