Environmental Assessment Ogden/Weber State University Transit Project Ogden, Weber County, Utah December 2018 This page is intentionally left blank. Environmental Assessment Ogden/Weber State University Transit Project Ogden/Weber State University Transit Project Environmental Assessment Prepared by: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration and Utah Transit Authority December 2018 This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 41 United States Code (USC) §4332(2); the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality, 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1500–1508; the Federal Transit Laws, 49 USC §53; Environmental Impact and Related Procedures—Federal Highway Administration/Federal Transit Administration, 23 CFR 771 and 23 CFR 774; the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, 16 USC §470(f); Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, as amended, 49 USC §303; Section 6(f)(3) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, 16 USC §4601-U; the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 USC §7401–7671; the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 USC §1531; the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, 42 USC §4601; Section 402 of the Clean Water Act, 33 USC §1342; Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-Income Populations; Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands; Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management; and all relevant laws and procedures of the State of Utah. Proposed Action The proposed action, the Ogden/Weber State University Transit Project, is intended to improve the existing Route 603 bus route by implementing bus rapid transit (BRT). Route 603, a 6.5-mile route, is one of the Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA’s) most frequently used routes in its Weber County service area, with an average 1,610 weekday boardings in 2017. Route 603 runs from the heart of Ogden’s downtown area to the city’s east bench, providing a connection from FrontRunner commuter rail and the Ogden Intermodal Transit Center to Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital. Implementing BRT would enhance the transit facilities and amenities that connect employment and educational hubs, residential areas, shopping areas, civic resources, historic districts, cultural landmarks, and entertainment venues in central Ogden. The proposed action would further improve mobility and accessibility for the people who live, work, and visit the project study area. This EA was prepared to address the impacts of constructing and operating a BRT system that would be about 5.3 miles long (10.6 miles round trip), with a western terminus at the Ogden Intermodal Transit Center. From there, the BRT route would head east in mixed-flow traffic on 23rd Street to Washington Boulevard, south on Washington Boulevard to 25th Street, east on 25th Street to Harrison Boulevard, and south on Harrison Boulevard. At about 31st Street and Harrison Boulevard, the BRT route would transition to center-running, bus-only lanes. It would continue on a dedicated busway through the Weber State University campus and then travel west to McKay-Dee Hospital, where it would again travel in mixed-flow traffic. The BRT route would loop back on the same route. December 2018 | i Environmental Assessment Ogden/Weber State University Transit Project The proposed action would improve linkages to the regional transit network and would connect with UTA’s FrontRunner commuter-rail line. The proposed action would improve connectivity through the Weber State University campus. The enhanced transit amenities and improved trip reliability would further promote transit use and active transportation in the project study area while reducing the need to travel by automobile and contributing to decreased greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed action is specifically intended to: • Increase mobility, connectivity, and travel choices between downtown Ogden and the Weber State University/McKay-Dee Hospital area • Promote economic and community development and create jobs in Ogden • Support local and regional land use initiatives • Increase ridership, attract more local riders, and provide improved access to the overall transit system by introducing premium transit service with enhanced amenities in the project study area The proposed action includes the following 16 brand-identified stations, though not all 16 would be constructed for opening day: Ogden Intermodal Transit Center, 23rd Street and Lincoln Avenue, 23rd Street and Kiesel Avenue, 25th Street and Washington Boulevard, 25th Street and Jefferson Avenue, 25th Street and Monroe Street, 25th Street and Jackson Avenue, 25th Street and Harrison Boulevard, Harrison Boulevard and 28th Street, Harrison Boulevard and 30th Street, Harrison Boulevard and 32nd Street, Harrison Boulevard and 36th Street, the Browning Center on the Weber State University campus, student housing near Village Drive on the Weber State University campus, the Dee Events Center, and McKay-Dee Hospital. December 2018 | ii 11/30/18 Environmental Assessment Ogden/Weber State University Transit Project Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................... ix 1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 What is the purpose of this document? .................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Who are the lead agency and project sponsors? ....................................................................................... 1 1.3 Can the public comment on this Environmental Assessment? ................................................................. 2 1.4 What happens after the comment period? ................................................................................................ 3 1.5 What is the history of the project? ........................................................................................................... 3 1.6 What is the planning context of the project? ............................................................................................ 7 1.7 What are the project study area and proposed transit corridor? ............................................................... 8 1.8 What transit service currently exists in the project study area? ............................................................. 11 2.0 What are the purpose of and need for the project? ............................................................................................ 18 2.1 What is the purpose of the project? ........................................................................................................ 18 2.2 Why is the project needed? .................................................................................................................... 19 3.0 What are the project alternatives? ..................................................................................................................... 22 3.1 What is the No-Action Alternative? ....................................................................................................... 23 3.2 What is the Action Alternative, and what are its physical and operating characteristics? ..................... 23 3.2.1 Vehicle Requirements .............................................................................................................. 26 3.2.2 Maintenance Facility ............................................................................................................... 26 3.2.3 Roadway Improvements on 25th Street and 23rd Street .......................................................... 27 3.2.4 Bus-Only Lanes ....................................................................................................................... 29 3.2.5 Alignment through the Weber State University Campus ......................................................... 30 3.2.6 Stations .................................................................................................................................... 35 3.2.7 Transit Signal Priority ............................................................................................................. 41 3.2.8 Hours of Operation and Headways .......................................................................................... 43 4.0 What would be the environmental effects of the Action Alternative? .............................................................. 44 4.1 How would the Action Alternative affect land use and economic development? .................................. 53 4.2 How would the Action Alternative affect the social environment? ....................................................... 55 4.2.1 How would the Action Alternative affect neighborhoods and communities? ......................... 55 4.2.2 How would the Action Alternative affect minority and low-income populations? ................. 56 4.2.3 How would the Action Alternative affect safety and security? ............................................... 57 4.2.4 How would the Action Alternative affect bicyclist and pedestrian safety? ............................. 58 4.2.5 How would the Action Alternative affect community facilities or recreation resources? ...............................................................................................................................