RARITAN RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT Environmental Assessment / Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation PERTH AMBOY AND SOUTH AMBOY MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY PREPARED BY: FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION and NEW JERSEY TRANSIT CORPORATION JUNE 2017 Table of Contents Executive Summary........................................................................................................... S-1 Chapter 1: Project Purpose and Need 1-1 1.1 Purpose of the Project .................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Background ..................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Need for the Project........................................................................................................ 1-2 1.3.1 Need to Maintain Critical Element of the Region’s Transportation Infrastructure......................................................................................................... 1-2 1.3.2 Need to Provide Storm Resilience ......................................................................... 1-2 1.4 NJ TRANSIT Resilience Program ...................................................................................... 1-3 1.5 Goals and Objectives....................................................................................................... 1-4 Chapter 2: Project Alternatives 2-1 2.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Alternatives Evaluation and Screening ............................................................................2-1 2.3 No Action Alternative.......................................................................................................2-2 2.4 Build Alternative...............................................................................................................2-2 2.4.1 Description of New Bridge..................................................................................... 2-3 2.4.2 Overhead Catenary System and Traction Power................................................... 2-4 2.4.3 Track Work............................................................................................................. 2-4 2.4.4 Communications Infrastructure............................................................................. 2-4 2.4.5 Property Acquisition .............................................................................................. 2-5 2.4.6 Operational Aspects .............................................................................................. 2-5 Chapter 3: Environmental Considerations 3-1 3.1 Land Use, Zoning, and Public Policy.................................................................................3-1 3.1.1 Affected Environment............................................................................................ 3-1 3.1.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 3-4 3.1.3 Build Alternative .................................................................................................... 3-4 3.1.4 Mitigation .............................................................................................................. 3-5 3.2 Parks and Recreational Resources ...................................................................................3-5 3.2.1 Affected Environment............................................................................................ 3-5 3.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 3-6 3.2.3 Build Alternative .................................................................................................... 3-6 3.2.4 Mitigation .............................................................................................................. 3-7 3.3 Socioeconomic Conditions...............................................................................................3-7 3.3.1 Affected Environment............................................................................................ 3-7 3.3.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 3-9 TOC-1 June 2017 Raritan River Bridge Replacement EA 3.3.3 Build Alternative.....................................................................................................3-9 3.3.4 Mitigation...............................................................................................................3-9 3.4 Property Acquisition and Displacement.......................................................................... 3-9 3.4.1 No Action Alternative.............................................................................................3-9 3.4.2 Build Alternative.....................................................................................................3-9 3.4.3 Mitigation.............................................................................................................3-10 3.5 Visual Resources............................................................................................................ 3-10 3.5.1 Affected Environment..........................................................................................3-11 3.5.2 No Action Alternative...........................................................................................3-14 3.5.3 Build Alternative...................................................................................................3-14 3.5.4 Mitigation.............................................................................................................3-15 3.6 Historic Resources ......................................................................................................... 3-15 3.6.1 Affected Environment..........................................................................................3-15 3.6.2 No Action Alternative...........................................................................................3-19 3.6.3 Build Alternative...................................................................................................3-19 3.6.4 Mitigation.............................................................................................................3-21 3.7 Transportation............................................................................................................... 3-22 3.7.1 Affected Environment..........................................................................................3-23 3.7.2 No Action Alternative...........................................................................................3-25 3.7.3 Build Alternative...................................................................................................3-25 3.7.4 Mitigation.............................................................................................................3-27 3.8 Air Quality...................................................................................................................... 3-27 3.8.1 Affected Environment..........................................................................................3-28 3.8.2 No Action Alternative...........................................................................................3-29 3.8.3 Build Alternative...................................................................................................3-29 3.8.4 Mitigation.............................................................................................................3-31 3.9 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Resilience.................................................................... 3-31 3.9.1 Affected Environment..........................................................................................3-31 3.9.2 No Action Alternative...........................................................................................3-32 3.9.3 Build Alternative...................................................................................................3-32 3.9.4 Mitigation.............................................................................................................3-33 3.10Noise and Vibration....................................................................................................... 3-33 3.10.1 Airborne Noise .....................................................................................................3-33 3.10.2 Affected Environment..........................................................................................3-34 3.10.3 No Action Alternative...........................................................................................3-35 3.10.4 Build Alternative...................................................................................................3-35 3.10.5 Groundborne Noise and Vibration.......................................................................3-36 3.10.6 Mitigation.............................................................................................................3-39 3.11Natural Resources.......................................................................................................... 3-39 3.11.1 Affected Environment..........................................................................................3-40 3.11.2 No Action Alternative...........................................................................................3-52