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Gold Line CORRIDORGold LineSCOPINGBOOKLET
SCOPING MEETINGSCHEDULE
Tuesday, August 22, 20065:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Arvada Center6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
Arvada, CO
Wednesday, August 23, 20065:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Highlands Masonic Center3550 Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO
MEETING FORMAT
Open House5:30 - 6:15 pm
Project Presentation6:15 - 6:45 pm
Gather Scoping Comments6:45 - 8:15pm
Servicios de TraducciónDisponibles.
SUBMIT SCOPINGCOMMENTS
ONLINE www.rtdgoldline.com
IN PERSONAt public scoping meetings
on August 22 and 23
BY MAILDave Hollis
RTD-FasTracks1560 Broadway #700
Denver, CO 80202
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is beginning the environmental review process for the FasTracks Gold Line corridor. The Gold Line is a proposed rail transit line along the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad track alignment from Denver Union Station in downtown Denver to the vicinity of Ward Road in Wheat Ridge. As part of the voter-approved FasTracks program, the Gold Line Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will identify the best way to provide high-quality, reli-able transit service that enhances mobility between the corridor and the greater Denver metro area.
As required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the first process of an EIS is scoping.
The scoping process identifies the range of alterna-tives and issues to be evaluated in the EIS.
Specifically, scoping will help determine:
• What will be analyzed in the study;
• The level of importance of specific issues and needs;
• Current public concerns associated with the proposed action; and
• If previous planning efforts were adequate.
Based on input received during scoping, RTD will refine and finalize the scope of what will be evaluated in the EIS and also its Purpose and Need Statement (see page 5), the benchmark from which all EIS alternatives are evaluated.•
Public Scoping Begins on the Gold Line EIS
WHAT’S INSIDEPublic Scoping Begins on Gold Line EIS ...................................1
Scoping Meeting Schedule .........................................................1
Gold Line Location .......................................................................2
Información en Espanol ..............................................................2
Gold Line History .........................................................................3
Alternatives Considered and Dismissed in the MIS .................3
Changes since the Gold Line MIS ..............................................4
Goals of the EIS ...........................................................................4
EIS Process and Schedule ...........................................................4
Opportunities for Public Involvement ........................................5
Draft Purpose and Need Statement ...........................................5
Evaluation Criteria .......................................................................5
Preliminary List of Alternatives to be Evaluated in the EIS ......6
RTD Wants Your Comments .......................................................7
Acronym Glossary .......................................................................7
1
G O L D L I N E S C O P I N G B O O K L E T
Gold Line LocationThe Gold Line corridor is comprised of communities in the northwest metro-politan Denver area, including the cities of Denver, Wheat Ridge and Arvada, as well as unincorporated Adams County. The corridor begins at Denver Union Station (DUS) and ends near Ward Rd. in Wheat Ridge.
The figure to the right shows the general location of the Gold Line EIS.
El Equipo del Proyecto Declaración de Impacto Ambiental (EIS) Ofrece Reuniones Públicas
El 22 y 23 de Agosto, el equipo del proyecto Declaración de Impacto Ambien-tal (EIS, Environmental Impact Statement) de la línea “Gold Line” realizará dos re-uniones públicas para dar inicio al proyec-to del programa FasTracks, de dos años y medio de duración, el cuál determinará el futuro del corredor de tránsito rápido entre el centro de Denver y los alrededores de la calle “Ward Road” y prestará servicios al noroeste de Denver, al Condado de Adams, Arvada y Wheat Ridge.
Las reuniones con la comunidad están programadas de 5:30 p.m. a 8:15 p.m. en las siguientes localidades:
• Martes 22 de Agosto – Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
• Miércoles 23 de Agosto – Highlands Masonic Center, 3550 Federal Blvd., Denver
Las reuniones con la comunidad inclu-irán una presentación de 30 minutos, presentada por el equipo del proyecto, se ofrecerán explicaciones sobre el proceso de EIS y sedará la oportunidad al público para comentar sobre asuntos específicos y alternativas que el EIS debería incorporar. Servicios de traducción disponibles.
Acerca del EIS del Corredor “Gold Line”Gold Line es un Corredor de tránsito rápido de 11.2-millas que se extiende desde la estación “Union Station” en el centro de Denver hasta los alrededores de la calle “Ward Road” en Wheat Ridge. En la elección de FasTracks del 2004, los votantes aprobaron un presupuesto de $462 millones para la línea “Gold Line” que prestará servicios a Denver, Arvada, Wheat Ridge y el Condado de Adams. El proyecto de Declaración de Impacto Ambiental de
dos años y medio analizará alternativas de tránsito en este corredor e incluirá un proceso intensivo de participación comu-nitaria.
Acerca de FasTracksFasTracks es un programa de $4.7 billones y de 12 años de duración, aprobado por los votantes de RTD, para ampliar el servicio de trenes y autobuses a través del área de servicio de RTD. Programado para ser concluido en el 2017, el FasTracks creará seis nuevos corredores de trenes ligeros que viajan entre suburbios (commuter rail) y trenes ligeros (light rail), ampliará tres corredores existentes, agregará 21.000 nue-vos espacios de estacionamiento y ampliará el servicio de autobuses a través de todo el distrito.•
2
G O L D L I N E S C O P I N G B O O K L E T
The Gold Line corridor, home to the Burl-ington Northern/Santa Fe (BNSF) and Union Pacific (UP) rail lines, has a storied history as a rail corridor. Furthering this legacy, RTD has studied the potential for the Gold Line corridor to operate as rail transit cor-ridor for the past 15 years. The three most recent studies RTD conducted in the Gold Line corridor were the Gold Line Commuter Rail Project (1997), the Gold Line Major Investment Study (MIS) (2000) and the Three Corridors Study (2004). The Gold Line MIS evaluated transit alternatives on the I-70 Denver to Golden corridor. With significant input from the public, the MIS investigated 17 alternatives
for improving future mobility in the corridor. The alternatives were paired down until a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) was recommended in 2001.
The LPA called for the implementation of Light Rail Transit (LRT) on the BNSF alignment from Denver Union Station in downtown Denver to the vicinity of the RTD park-n-Ride at Ward Rd. in Wheat Ridge. The LPA was later adopted and included in the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) Regional Transportation Plan.
The 2005 Three Corridors Study furthered RTD’s analysis of the Gold Line LPA. The
most significant changes to the LPA recom-mended in the Three Corridors Study were:
• Shifting the proposed alignment further away from of the residential areas on Inca St. to operate within the rail yards and lessen community impacts;
• Relocating the proposed alignment on the north side of the BNSF rail line instead of the south, minimizing potential impacts to the industrial tracks near Sheridan Blvd. and Miller St.
• Relocating the proposed Ward Road Station north of the current park-n- Ride so that it sits adjacent to the BNSF rail line. •
The Gold Line History
With a wealth of public input, the MIS followed RTD’s three-step screening process to ensure that each alternative was given sufficient consideration. A Citizens Task Force, Technical Advisory Committee and a Policy Advisory Committee each endorsed the decisions made at every step of the screening process.
Seventeen alternatives entered the screening process. After two rounds of preliminary evaluation to eliminate unfeasible
alternatives, seven alternatives underwent a very detailed analysis.
After thoroughly evaluating the seven finalist alternatives, the Citizens Task Force, Technical Advisory Committee and Policy Advisory Committee endorsed a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). The LPA was operating Light Rail Transit (LRT) in the existing BNSF rail line combined with im-provements to the existing bus system.
It was selected because it: • Received high levels of public support;
• Provided the highest projected ridership of all rail alternatives;
• Resulted in fewer community impacts;
• Was highly competitive in funding criteria evaluated by Federal agencies; and
• Was within the corridor budget set by RTD •
Alternatives Considered and Dismissed in the MIS
Selection of the 2001 Major Investment Study Locally Preferred Alternative
3
G O L D L I N E S C O P I N G B O O K L E T
The Gold Line History section of this book-let identifies changes to the MIS Locally Pre-ferred Alternative (LPA) that were proposed in the Three Corridors Study. In addition to these recommendations, some other changes will influence the Gold Line EIS.
These include:
• The success of the Southwest Corridor;
• The passage and implementation of FasTracks;
• Implementation of TREX;
• Updated regulations from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) about the types of transit vehicles approved to operate in freight rail corridors (e.g. the BNSF rail line);
• Additional transit vehicle technolo- gies (e.g. Electric Multiple Units) have emerged as potentially viable options for the corridor;
• Further integration with other FasTracks corridors (e.g. US-36, I-70 East and North Metro); and • Changes to FRA rules concerning “quiet zones,” where use of train horns is limited.
Goals of the EISThe preliminary project goals for the Gold Line corridor include:
• Providing a cost-effective transit option in the Gold Line corridor;
• Providing a high-quality and reliable transit service that reduces travel times, eliminates delays, and increases travel comfort in order to encourage travel by more efficient and environmentally sensitive means than vehicular travel;
• Providing system linkage with other FasTracks corridors;
• Fulfilling existing land use and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) plans in the Gold Line corridor; • Enhancing access to jobs, entertainment, recreation, and shopping for existing and future residents of the Gold Line corridor;
• Providing equitable transit opportunities regardless of financial means;
• Minimizing environmental impacts; and
• Improving the environmental sustain- ability and development of sustainable communities. •
Changes Since the Gold Line MIS
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires that environmental approvals be obtained whenever federal funds are used for major transportation projects. NEPA mandates that a reasonable range of transportation alternatives
be evaluated to determine the effects of building the project on the surrounding social, cultural, physical and natural environment.
The Gold Line EIS will confirm and further the findings of the Major Investment Study
(MIS) in an effort to take the next step toward implementing the transit improve-ments that are best for the corridor. The figure below illustrates the phases of the NEPA process and the types of questions that must be answered in each. •
EIS Process and Schedule
Public engagement in the NEPA process is essential to the success of this project. RTD is implementing a proactive, community-responsive public involvement program. Involving the public at key decision points in the EIS is not just required by NEPA, it is critical to making decisions that are in the best overall interest of the corridor.
The Gold Line EIS public involvement effort will consistently educate the public about all elements of the study. Preceding key deci-sion milestones, the public involvement ef-fort will intensify to ensure that members of the Gold Line community can carefully con-
sider all options and provide well-informed input into the decision-making process.
Key elements of the public involvement program include:
• Eight large public workshops;
• Two public hearings on the Draft EIS;
• Small-group “listening sessions” where community members and the project team can more intimately communi- cate with each other, gaining greater perspective; • Issue-focused teams comprised of tech- nical and community representatives
committed to evaluating and developing solutions to specific challenging issues;
• Agency and local government coordina- tion teams to address policy and techni- cal issues;
• Targeted outreach to Environmental Justice (EJ) populations that are typically difficult to reach and engage in public processes; and
• Constant access to project information and contact with the project team through a dynamic Web site, telephone hotline and wide distribution of project materials (newsletters, fact sheets). •
Opportunities for Public Involvement
The Purpose and Need statement establishes the benchmark from which all EIS alterna-tives are evaluated. The statement can build from and support findings of past studies (e.g. the MIS) but it can not be so overly directive that it is impossible to develop a “reasonable range of alternatives.” The “purpose” is essentially the reason for the project. The “need” statements should pres-ent the current and projected conditions that the project must address.
RTD would like to receive public comments on the Purpose and Need statement below. Based on public input received during the scoping process, the statement will be final-ized.
PurposeThe purpose of the project is to fulfill the FasTracks vision for implementing fixed
guideway transit on the Gold Line corridor between Denver Union Station and Ward Rd. in Wheat Ridge
Need• Regional connectivity
• Help meet the transportation demands of the region’s growing population and employment
• Reliable alternate modes of travel in the context of increasing roadway congestion • Mitigate for increasing travel times in the region
• Improve transportation options for underserved populations
• Complete the FasTracks regional fixed- guideway transit system •
Evaluation CriteriaIn addition to evaluating the ability of Gold Line EIS alternatives to meet the Purpose and Need, each alternative will be evaluated in a number of areas. NEPA requires the process to evaluate each alternative on po-tential environmental issues in 20 different categories (e.g. land use, economics, historic resources, biological resources, wetlands, air quality, traffic). For environmental impacts exceeding allowable limits, mitigation measures must be evaluated to determine the extent to which negative impacts can be minimized or eliminated.
In addition, the EIS project team will evaluate how alternatives fit within the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program that is used to help fund transit projects. Specifically, each alternative’s ability to qualify for federal funding will depend on its ability to provide:
• Mobility improvements;• Environmental benefits;• Operating efficiencies; and• Cost effectiveness. •
Draft Purpose and Need Statement
4 5
G O L D L I N E S C O P I N G B O O K L E T
The Gold Line History section of this book-let identifies changes to the MIS Locally Pre-ferred Alternative (LPA) that were proposed in the Three Corridors Study. In addition to these recommendations, some other changes will influence the Gold Line EIS.
These include:
• The success of the Southwest Corridor;
• The passage and implementation of FasTracks;
• Implementation of TREX;
• Updated regulations from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) about the types of transit vehicles approved to operate in freight rail corridors (e.g. the BNSF rail line);
• Additional transit vehicle technolo- gies (e.g. Electric Multiple Units) have emerged as potentially viable options for the corridor;
• Further integration with other FasTracks corridors (e.g. US-36, I-70 East and North Metro); and • Changes to FRA rules concerning “quiet zones,” where use of train horns is limited.
Goals of the EISThe preliminary project goals for the Gold Line corridor include:
• Providing a cost-effective transit option in the Gold Line corridor;
• Providing a high-quality and reliable transit service that reduces travel times, eliminates delays, and increases travel comfort in order to encourage travel by more efficient and environmentally sensitive means than vehicular travel;
• Providing system linkage with other FasTracks corridors;
• Fulfilling existing land use and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) plans in the Gold Line corridor; • Enhancing access to jobs, entertainment, recreation, and shopping for existing and future residents of the Gold Line corridor;
• Providing equitable transit opportunities regardless of financial means;
• Minimizing environmental impacts; and
• Improving the environmental sustain- ability and development of sustainable communities. •
Changes Since the Gold Line MIS
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires that environmental approvals be obtained whenever federal funds are used for major transportation projects. NEPA mandates that a reasonable range of transportation alternatives
be evaluated to determine the effects of building the project on the surrounding social, cultural, physical and natural environment.
The Gold Line EIS will confirm and further the findings of the Major Investment Study
(MIS) in an effort to take the next step toward implementing the transit improve-ments that are best for the corridor. The figure below illustrates the phases of the NEPA process and the types of questions that must be answered in each. •
EIS Process and Schedule
Public engagement in the NEPA process is essential to the success of this project. RTD is implementing a proactive, community-responsive public involvement program. Involving the public at key decision points in the EIS is not just required by NEPA, it is critical to making decisions that are in the best overall interest of the corridor.
The Gold Line EIS public involvement effort will consistently educate the public about all elements of the study. Preceding key deci-sion milestones, the public involvement ef-fort will intensify to ensure that members of the Gold Line community can carefully con-
sider all options and provide well-informed input into the decision-making process.
Key elements of the public involvement program include:
• Eight large public workshops;
• Two public hearings on the Draft EIS;
• Small-group “listening sessions” where community members and the project team can more intimately communi- cate with each other, gaining greater perspective; • Issue-focused teams comprised of tech- nical and community representatives
committed to evaluating and developing solutions to specific challenging issues;
• Agency and local government coordina- tion teams to address policy and techni- cal issues;
• Targeted outreach to Environmental Justice (EJ) populations that are typically difficult to reach and engage in public processes; and
• Constant access to project information and contact with the project team through a dynamic Web site, telephone hotline and wide distribution of project materials (newsletters, fact sheets). •
Opportunities for Public Involvement
The Purpose and Need statement establishes the benchmark from which all EIS alterna-tives are evaluated. The statement can build from and support findings of past studies (e.g. the MIS) but it can not be so overly directive that it is impossible to develop a “reasonable range of alternatives.” The “purpose” is essentially the reason for the project. The “need” statements should pres-ent the current and projected conditions that the project must address.
RTD would like to receive public comments on the Purpose and Need statement below. Based on public input received during the scoping process, the statement will be final-ized.
PurposeThe purpose of the project is to fulfill the FasTracks vision for implementing fixed
guideway transit on the Gold Line corridor between Denver Union Station and Ward Rd. in Wheat Ridge
Need• Regional connectivity
• Help meet the transportation demands of the region’s growing population and employment
• Reliable alternate modes of travel in the context of increasing roadway congestion • Mitigate for increasing travel times in the region
• Improve transportation options for underserved populations
• Complete the FasTracks regional fixed- guideway transit system •
Evaluation CriteriaIn addition to evaluating the ability of Gold Line EIS alternatives to meet the Purpose and Need, each alternative will be evaluated in a number of areas. NEPA requires the process to evaluate each alternative on po-tential environmental issues in 20 different categories (e.g. land use, economics, historic resources, biological resources, wetlands, air quality, traffic). For environmental impacts exceeding allowable limits, mitigation measures must be evaluated to determine the extent to which negative impacts can be minimized or eliminated.
In addition, the EIS project team will evaluate how alternatives fit within the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program that is used to help fund transit projects. Specifically, each alternative’s ability to qualify for federal funding will depend on its ability to provide:
• Mobility improvements;• Environmental benefits;• Operating efficiencies; and• Cost effectiveness. •
Draft Purpose and Need Statement
4 5
G O L D L I N E S C O P I N G B O O K L E T
Under the guidance of NEPA, all transit alternatives considered during the MIS must be re-considered. The decisions related to the dismissal of each alternative must also be tested through the public process.
Highway widening alternatives will not be reconsidered because they do not meet the purpose of the project. Using the MIS as a starting point, there are several reasonable
alternatives that can be considered for the EIS. The table below describes the range of alternatives in greater detail. •
Preliminary List of Alternatives to be Evaluated
6
G O L D L I N E S C O P I N G B O O K L E T
Public input is critical to making smart deci-sions for the Gold Line that are best for the community. This is especially true when it comes to the scoping process.
As highlighted in this booklet, the scoping process will drive the overall focus for the Gold Line EIS. Your comments are criti-cal to ensuring that the scope of the project reflects the needs, concerns and desires of your community.
The fastest and easiest way to submit scoping comments is to do it online by visiting www.rtdgoldline.com. Even after
the scoping process, the project Web site will be your easiest method of submitting comments and feedback to the project team.
Written comments can be mailed to:Dave HollisRTD-FasTracks1560 Broadway #700Denver, CO 80202
You can submit comments in person at the public scoping meetings on August 22 (Arvada Center, 5:30 PM - 8:15 PM) and August 23 (Highlands Masonic Center, 5:30 PM - 8:15 PM). The project team is meeting
with a number of different neighborhood, business and civic organizations in August and September to gather scoping comments.
To schedule a meeting with your organiza-tion, please call Megan Lane at 303-825-6100.
All comments received by September 25, 2006 will be compiled in a Scoping Report. This report summarizes all the scoping comments received and is used to finalize the scope of the project. Comments received after this date will be considered and responded to, but will not be included in the Scoping Report. •
RTD Wants Your Comments
Technical Terms Throughout the project, a number of acronyms that are common short-hand for technical terms may be used. The acronym glossary to the left was devel-oped to provide an at-a-glace guide to many of the terms that may appear as acronyms in project materials.
7
Olde Town Arvada Northwest Denver
Gold Line Project Kick-OffRTD has begun the Environmental Impact Statement
for the Gold Line. Look inside for details onhow to get involved.
Attend These Upcoming Gold Line Meetings
Arvada Public Scoping Meeting
Tuesday, August 22, 20065:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Arvada Center6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
Arvada, CO
Denver Public Scoping Meeting
Wednesday, August 23, 20065:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Highlands Masonic Center3550 Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO
c/o GBSM600 17th St., Ste. 2020 SouthDenver, CO 80202
