NTRAC Final Study - Nebraska Department of Roads - State of ...

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CHAPTER 7 – ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS noted, there may be land acquisitions and possible displacements triggered by these new stations and the maintenance facility. Because many of the towns in the corridor grew up around the railroad, the potential for the project to disrupt adjacent communities is reduced. Any land use changes would be studied in depth and documented during a detailed environmental study. The express bus alternatives utilize existing Interstate and State highways. Siting of park-andride facilities in Fremont and Blair must be consistent with current zoning. That noted, there may be land acquisitions and possible displacements triggered by these new facilities. Any land use changes would be studied in-depth and documented during a detailed environmental study. RECREATION The commuter rail alternative could impact recreation facilities adjacent to the BNSF line in and around the Platte River (i.e. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and the State-run Catfish Run Wildlife Management Area) by increasing noise and traffic on the rail line, but these likely would be minimal as additional trains would be short, few, and limited to peak periods. There are no apparent safety issues at these facilities related to new commuter trains and pedestrians crossing the BNSF track. That noted, the commuter rail alternative could benefit established recreation activities in Lincoln and Omaha by providing an additional transportation option. The express bus alternatives could impact recreation facilities adjacent to the proposed routes, including those in and around the Platte River and Interstate Park and Oak Lake Park along I-180 in Lincoln, by increasing noise and traffic on the highways. However, since the buses would not contribute much additional traffic on the existing corridors, impacts to recreation areas as a result of the increase in express buses along the routes are anticipated to be minimal. That noted, the express bus alternatives could benefit established recreation activities in Lincoln and Omaha by providing an additional means of transportation. NOISE AND VIBRATION The BNSF main line runs through residential areas in Lincoln, Waverly, Greenwood, Ashland, Gretna, and Metropolitan Omaha. The commuter rail alternative could result in increased noise and vibration impacts to property adjacent to the BNSF line. That noted, the additional trains would be short commuter trains operating at peak periods only. Thus, any impact due to running trains likely would be minimal. Depending on the siting of a maintenance facility, however, there may be significant impacts due to train movements, idling, and repairs. Noise impacts would be studied further in a detailed environmental study. The express bus alternatives may result in increased noise impacts to property adjacent to the proposed routes. Since the buses would not contribute much additional traffic on the existing corridors, noise impacts as a result of increased traffic along the routes are anticipated to be minimal. Depending on the siting of a maintenance facility, however, there may be significant impacts due to bus movements, idling, and repairs. Noise impacts would be studied further in a detailed environmental study. 384180 NEBRASKA TRANSIT CORRIDORS STUDY Page 7 - 2 WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES
CHAPTER 7 – ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES The addition of peak period commuter trains to existing traffic on the BNSF Lincoln-Omaha line is not expected to increase noise levels significantly. That noted, there may be runoff impacts due to construction supporting commuter trains, i.e. siding improvements and new stations. Furthermore, poor maintenance by the railroad along the new sidings could result in the unintentional development of wetland habitat (a result of poor drainage). During detailed environmental analysis, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission would be consulted to determine the existence and/or extent of impacts to threatened or endangered species. The existing rail corridor crosses the Platte River, as well as a number of streams and tributaries. Any proposed construction sites would be surveyed for possible wetlands and habitat impacts. The addition of buses to existing traffic on the existing corridors is not anticipated to increase existing noise levels significantly. That noted, there could be runoff impacts due to construction supporting express buses, i.e. park-and-ride facilities in Blair and Fremont. During detailed environmental analysis, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission would be consulted to determine the existence and/or extent of impacts to threatened or endangered species. STREAMS AND DRAINAGE The commuter rail alternative would be located in existing rail right of way. The existing BNSF railroad corridor crosses the Platte River along with a number of streams and tributaries. Any crossing upgrades or siding construction could have an impact on streams and drainage. With increased traffic on the rail lines, maintenance of bridges could be more frequent. Water quality could be impacted by runoff from construction activities for siding and station improvements. Any proposed construction would be evaluated during a detailed environmental analysis. The express bus alternatives would be located in existing road right of way. The existing Interstate and State highway corridors cross the Platte River along with a number of streams and tributaries. Since the buses would not contribute much additional traffic on the existing corridors, impacts to streams and drainage as a result of the increase in traffic along the routes are anticipated to be minimal. That noted, surface water quality could be impacted by storm water runoff from construction activities for park-and-ride lots in Fremont and Blair. Any proposed construction sites would be evaluated during a detailed environmental analysis. TRANSPORTATION The commuter rail alternative would impact the existing transportation network in Omaha and Lincoln: transit operators MAT in Omaha and StarTran in Lincoln would meet the new trains. The alternative may impact the existing public conveyance systems between Lincoln and Omaha – such entities as Greyhound, Dashabout, and Eppley Express: there may be competitive issues with those carriers. And it would impact the transportation facilities along the BNSF line between Omaha and Lincoln: there likely would be capacity issues, particularly if BNSF were to increase volumes on the line. The commuter trains could decrease motor car traffic on I-80. The 384180 NEBRASKA TRANSIT CORRIDORS STUDY Page 7 - 3 WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES
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Nebraska Transit Corridors Study Co
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY between 141,000 a
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 8 Financi
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Chapter 1 STUDY PURPOSE AND METHODO
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CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION Table 1-1
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CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION services,
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North Platte Lexington Kearney Gran
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NEBRASKA CORRIDORS STUDY Figure 2-2
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EXISTING CONDITIONS TRAVEL PATTERNS
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EXISTING CONDITIONS Table 2-3: Summ
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EXISTING CONDITIONS changing lanes,
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EXISTING CONDITIONS expressway. Als
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EXISTING CONDITIONS CORRIDOR RAIL L
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EXISTING CONDITIONS airports, which
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Chapter 3 RIDERSHIP POTENTIAL INTRO
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CHAPTER 3 - RIDERSHIP POTENTIAL the
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CHAPTER 3 - RIDERSHIP POTENTIAL Gre
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CHAPTER 3 - RIDERSHIP POTENTIAL Tab
Page 57 and 58: CHAPTER 3 - RIDERSHIP POTENTIAL 2.
Page 59 and 60: CHAPTER 3 - RIDERSHIP POTENTIAL SUM
Page 61 and 62: Chapter 4 TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS INTROD
Page 63 and 64: CHAPTER 4 - TECHNOLOGY OPITONS Sit
Page 65 and 66: CHAPTER 4 - TECHNOLOGY OPITONS Sit
Page 67 and 68: CHAPTER 4 - TECHNOLOGY OPITONS subu
Page 69 and 70: CHAPTER 4 - TECHNOLOGY OPITONS Tabl
Page 71 and 72: CHAPTER 4 - TECHNOLOGY OPITONS Trai
Page 73: CHAPTER 4 - TECHNOLOGY OPITONS FIND
Page 76 and 77: CHAPTER 5 - COMMUTER RAIL PLAN MINI
Page 78 and 79: CHAPTER 5 - COMMUTER RAIL PLAN for
Page 80 and 81: CHAPTER 5 - COMMUTER RAIL PLAN REVE
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Page 86 and 87: CHAPTER 5 - COMMUTER RAIL PLAN stri
Page 88 and 89: CHAPTER 5 - COMMUTER RAIL PLAN OPER
Page 90 and 91: CHAPTER 5 - COMMUTER RAIL PLAN Stre
Page 93: Chapter 6 EXPRESS BUS PLANS INTRODU
Page 97 and 98: CHAPTER 6 - EXPRESS BUS PLANS Expre
Page 99 and 100: CHAPTER 6 - EXPRESS BUS PLANS Table
Page 103 and 104: CHAPTER 6 - EXPRESS BUS PLANS Five
Page 107: Chapter 7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL
Page 111 and 112: CHAPTER 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIA
Page 113 and 114: Chapter 8 FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC AN
Page 115 and 116: CHAPTER 8 - FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC
Page 137 and 138: Chapter 9 NEXT STEPS TOWARD IMPLEME
Page 139 and 140: CHAPTER 9 - NEXT STEPS TOWARD IMPLE
Page 141: APPENDICES
Page 144 and 145: APPENDIX A - RIDERSHIP COMPARISONS
Page 147: Appendix B COMMUTER RAIL COSTS Appe
Page 150 and 151: Coffee and water per month 100 Annu
Page 152 and 153: Advertising per month 4,000 Telecom
Page 154 and 155: Table B-2b Omaha Suburban Station E
Page 156 and 157: Table B-2d Lincoln at N. 48th St. S
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Table B-3a Lincoln Maintenance Faci
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Table B-4a Melia Siding Description
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Table B-4c Chalco Siding Descriptio
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Table C-1 Fremont Park-and-Ride Cos
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Appendix D NTRAC MEMBERS The follow
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NTRAC Final Study - Nebraska Department of Roads - State of ...

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