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

CHAPTER 7 – ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
increased rail traffic between Omaha and Lincoln would also affect the local motor car and
pedestrian traffic at rail crossings, potentially triggering delay and safety issues. Traffic within
the cities of Omaha and Lincoln would also be impacted by an increase in motor car traffic on
the local street network to and from the rail stations.
The express bus alternatives would impact the existing transportation network in Omaha and
Lincoln: MAT and StarTran buses would meet the commuter buses. There may be an impact to
the existing public transportation provider between Fremont and Omaha, Black Hills Stage
Lines: there may be a competitive issue with that carrier. The addition of express bus service
along I-80 and the State highway corridors between Omaha, Lincoln, Blair and Fremont would
impact existing highway traffic, but the impacts would be minimal. The express buses could
decrease the amount of motor car traffic on these roadways. The addition of an express bus
network would also increase motor car traffic on the local street network to and from the transit
centers in Omaha, Lincoln, Fremont, and Blair.
CULTURAL
The commuter rail alternative would utilize existing railroad right of way. Most of the modern
railroad right of way has been impacted to some degree by railroad activity, construction, and
flood control activities. These impacts have affected to varying degrees the integrity of any
archeological materials located within the right of way. Since many communities in Nebraska
developed along railroad lines, there could be cultural or historical materials in the area of any
proposed railroad construction, and thus any new construction supporting commuter trains could
impact them. A survey of possible archaeological resources and historically significant sites
would be performed during a detailed environmental analysis.
The express bus alternatives would be located on existing road right of way. Most of the modern
road right of way has been impacted to some degree by road activity, construction, and flood
control activities. These impacts have affected to varying degrees the integrity of any
archeological materials located within the right of way. New park-and-ride construction in
Fremont and Blair could impact existing archaeological and cultural resources. A survey of
possible archaeological resources and historically significant sites would be performed during a
detailed environmental analysis.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
The commuter rail alternative utilizes existing railroad right of way that runs adjacent to
neighborhoods in Omaha, Lincoln and a number of smaller communities along the corridor. An
in-depth study of the social and economical variables (e.g. race, income, ethnicity, etc.) of the
neighborhoods, using current Census data, would need to be performed to determine if there are
any disadvantaged neighborhoods along the proposed corridor. The commuter rail service could
have a positive impact by providing more transit alternatives to the neighborhoods and smaller
communities.
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NEBRASKA TRANSIT CORRIDORS STUDY
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WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES