TTEMPEEMPE SSOUTHOUTH ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SCOPING BROCHURE alignments that could be implemented in the tax extension approved by Maricopa County area for this project was determined based INTRODUCTION study area will be evaluated. Upon completion voters in 2004, and is contained in the adopted on an evaluation of travel markets which of the Alternative Analysis, environmental Regional Transportation Plan as a component shows a strong demand for travel between Study Description, Project documentation will be completed according to of the 57 mile high capacity transit/light rail locations along the CP/EV light rail starter line Background the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) network to be implemented by 2026 (Figure 1). (currently under construction) in north Tempe, and FTA guidance. The 20-mile Central Phoenix/East Valley south Tempe, and west Chandler. Other high METRO, in cooperation with the Federal (CP/EV) light rail starter line now under capacity/light rail corridors are scheduled for Transit Administration (FTA), is conducting The study includes a public involvement construction runs through Phoenix, Tempe implementation as follows: a study to analyze potential high capacity component designed to obtain community and Mesa, and will open for passenger service transit improvements in the cities of Tempe feedback, share project details, and ascertain in December 2008. • Northwest Extension Phase I opens in 2012 and Chandler. community desires regarding potential high • Central Mesa opens in 2015 capacity transit service improvements. Public High capacity transit improvements in the • Northwest Extension Phase II opens in 2017 In order to qualify for federal funding, the input will help METRO identify the route Tempe South study area are anticipated to be • Glendale opens 2017 study follows a planning process known as and transit technology that will provide the completed in 2015. The Tempe South study an Alternatives Analysis. The Alternative best transportation choices for Tempe and area is bounded by the Tempe Branch of the • I-10 West opens in 2019 Analysis is the first stage of the transit Chandler residents. Union Pacific Railroad on the west, Route 202 • Northeast opens in 2025 planning process required by the FTA. (Santan Freeway) on the south, Loop 101 During the course of the 24-month study, The Tempe South study is funded by the on the east, and Route 202 (Red Mountain several potential transit technologies and Proposition 400 half-cent transportation sales Freeway) on the north (Figure 2). The study 8th St Figure 1 202 Downtown REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN TRANSIT CORRIDORS Tempe University Dr 143 ASU Apache Blvd Broadway Rd Beardsley Rd 101 PHOENIX Southern Ave Bell Rd 17 60 Thunderbird Rd Peoria Phoenix Baseline Rd 2025 Peoria Ave 2017 MESA 101 Glendale 51 Paradise TEMPE Northern Ave Valley GUADALUPE Guadalupe Rd 2017 2012 Bethany Home Rd Chaparral Rd Elliot Rd Indian School Rd Scottsdale Thomas Rd 101 McDowell Rd 202 10 2019 202 10 McKellips Rd Warner Rd 2008 Mesa Buckeye Rd Figure 2 17 143 University Dr 2015 Broadway Rd Ray Rd 2015 Southern Ave TEMPE SOUTH 60 Baseline Rd Phoenix Tempe Guadalupe Rd Gilbert Chandler Blvd STUDY AREA AND 10 101 Warner Rd Chandler CHANDLER Fashion Center South POTENTIAL ROUTE Chandler Chandler Blvd 202 Pecos Rd Mountain Freeway Santan Freeway Germann Rd ALTERNATIVES 48th St 56th St Rd Kyrene Rd Rural Price Rd Dobson Rd McClintock Dr LEGEND Central Ave Central 40th St 67th Ave 67th 51st Ave 51st Alma School Rd 99th Ave 99th Ave 83rd McQueen Rd Dr Vista Val Rural Rd Gilbert Rd 35th Ave 35th Ave 19th Price Rd 24th St 56th St Light Rail Starter Line Tempe Branch1 Rural Rd.2 Station Tempe Branch option2 Rural Rd. west option2 LEGEND Tempe Study Area 2 Mill Ave./Kyrene Rd.2 Rural Rd. east option Initial 20-mile Light Rail Alignment Tempe South Corridor Union Pacific Railroad McClintock Dr.2 Future High Capacity/Corridors for Further Study City Boundary Note: Dates indicate calendar year openings Note 1: Could be Bus Rapid Transit, modern streetcar, Light Rail Transit, or commuter rail. Note 2: Could be Bus Rapid Transit, modern streetcar, or Light Rail Transit. Palm Walk on ASU Campus SSTUDYTUDY THE SCOPING PPURPOSEURPOSE PROCESS Scoping is a study process designed to The buildings used for the scoping meetings inform public interest groups and participating are accessible to persons with disabilities. At this early stage of project planning, the draft agencies about the proposed project, potential Any individual who requires special study purpose is outlined below. These objectives alternatives under consideration, and issues assistance, such as a sign language are under review by METRO and the cities of needing review and input. The goal is to interpreter, to participate in a scoping meeting Tempe and Chandler, and will be further refi ned encourage early and active participation in the should contact Dawn M. Coomer, City of based on public comments received during the decision-making process. Tempe, 31 East Fifth Street, Tempe, AZ scoping process. 85281, 480-350-8550 at least 48 hours in 1. Identify an alignment and technology The scoping process defines the alternative advance of a meeting in order for METRO for improved transit service, connecting routes and alignments that will be examined and the City of Tempe to make the necessary to Downtown Tempe, Arizona State in the study, identifies potential impacts that arrangements. University and sections of Chandler with could arise from implementation of each the 20-mile CP/EV light rail starter line. alternative under consideration, and establishes In addition, a scoping meeting will be held for the goals and objectives that will guide governmental agencies: 2. Identify a transit option to provide the evaluation of the alternatives. Citizens, improved connectivity throughout agencies and community organizations are Downtown Tempe and ASU. encouraged to comment at key milestones throughout the process in order to help guide Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008 3. Identify a transit alternative that 10am to noon improves access to employment the direction of the study, define project opportunities throughout the study area goals and objectives, and identify issues and METRO in Tempe and Chandler as well as in the impacts. 101 North 1st Avenue, Suite 1300 Central Phoenix/East Valley region. Phoenix, AZ 85003 Public scoping meetings to accept comments 4. Identify an improvement that provides on the study will be held on the following transit options to relieve peak period dates: congestion on north-south arterials in Written and e-mailed comments on the scope Chandler Transit the study area, as well as on Tempe of study, including the alternatives to be Center streets. considered, and the impacts to be assessed, should be sent to: 5. Identify transit options to address Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008 Mill Avenue mid-day travel demand and bus 6 to 8pm Mr. Marc Soronson overcrowding. Corona del Sol High School METRO 1001 East Knox Road 101 North 1st Avenue, Suite 1300 6. Identify a transit alternative that will Tempe, AZ 85284 Phoenix, AZ 85003 facilitate continued development of a comprehensive and inter-connected regional transit network that is multi- E-mail: [email protected] modal, that offers a range of choices Phone: (602) 254-RAIL (7245) Fax: (602) 252-7453 for current and future transit riders, and Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 that attracts new transit riders to the regional system. 6 to 8pm Tempe Public Library 7. Identify an alternative that provides 3500 South Rural Road cost-effective transit service. Tempe, AZ 85282 8. Identify a transit alternative that supports economic development and enhances connectivity among developing transit-oriented, high- density projects, activity centers and attractions in the study area. Arizona State University PROJECT • Clean Water Act (Section 404(b)(1) Between US 60 and a new park-and-ride in Guidelines for Specification of Disposal Sites the vicinity of the Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) DEVELOPMENT for Dredged or fill Material) in Chandler, the following options are being considered for the Tempe Branch of the Union • Executive Orders on environmental justice, Pacific Railroad: PROCESS floodplain management, and wetlands The Alternatives Analysis and subsequent • Continue south to the Loop 202 using the Environmental Impact Statement will be Alternatives under same transit mode that is considered in prepared in accordance with the National the northern portion of the study area. Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and with the Consideration • For LRT and streetcar modes, two FTA/Federal Highway Administration regula- Mill Avenue At a minimum, the alternatives to be additional options that connect at tions for “Environmental Impact and Related considered in the Alternative Analysis include: Procedures” (23 CFR Part 771). Those regu- US 60 to BRT with limited stop service are considered: lations require, in part, that FTA comply, to • No-Build. Implements modified existing and the maximum extent practicable, with those committed road and transit improvements as portions of the following Federal and environ- - BRT operating along the railroad line; or defined by the Regional Transportation Plan - BRT operating along Kyrene Road. mental laws, regulations, and executive orders, and coordinated by the cities of Tempe and as well as other legislation that may apply to Chandler. the proposed project, during the environmental For all other alternative alignments, BRT with limited stop service would continue south of review process. These requirements include, • Transportation System Management but are not limited to: US 60 to Chandler along either Kyrene Road, (TSM). Includes reasonable, cost-effective Mill Avenue/Kyrene Road, Rural Road, or transit service improvements short of a McClintock Drive. For the Kyrene Road and • Environmental and public hearing provisions major capital investment in fixed guideway. of Federal transit law Mill Avenue/Kyrene Road alignments, the The TSM implements all of the projects in alignment would continue south to a new the No-Build alternative.