[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1662-1663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-740]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration


Environmental Impact Statement on the Logan 2000 People Mover, 
East Boston, MA

AGENCY: Massachusetts Port Authority.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Massachusetts 
Port Authority (MPA) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) to analyze options for improving the connection between the 
MBTA transit system and Logan International Airport in East Boston, 
Massachusetts in order to increase the use of high occupancy vehicles 
to Logan Airport. The FTA and the MPA will prepare the EIS so that it 
also satisfies the requirements of the Massachusetts Environmental 
Policy Act (MEPA). The EIR/EIS will evaluate the following 
alternatives: a TSM/No Build alternative, a People Mover Terminal 
Alignment system and refinements thereto, and Blue Line Extension onto 
the airport. Scoping will be accomplished through correspondence with 
interested persons, organizations, and Federal, State and local 
agencies, and through public meetings.

DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of alternatives 
and impacts to be considered should be sent to the MPA by February 29, 
1996. Scoping Meetings: A FTA public 

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scoping meeting will be held on Thursday, January 25, 1996, 4:00 to 
6:00 P.M., at the State Transportation Building, Mezzanine Level, 
Conference Room 4. See ADDRESSES below.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Ms. Beth Rubenstein, 
Project Manager, MASSPORT Department of Transportation Planning and 
Construction, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, Suite 200S, 
East Boston, MA 02128. Scoping meeting will be held at the following 
location: State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 
02116, Mezzanine Level, Conference Room 4.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mary Beth Mello, Deputy Regional 
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Region 1, (617) 494-
2055.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Scoping

    The FTA and MPA invite written comments for a period of 45 days 
after publication of this notice (see DATES and ADDRESSES above). 
During scoping, comments should focus on identifying specific social, 
economic, or environmental impacts to be evaluated, and suggested 
alternatives that are less costly or more environmentally beneficial 
and which achieve similar objectives. Comments should focus on the 
issues and alternatives for analysis, and not on a preference for a 
particular alternative. Individual preference for a particular 
alternative should be communicated during the comment period for the 
Draft EIS.
    If you wish to be placed on the mailing list to receive further 
information as the project continues, contact Ms. Beth Rubenstein at 
the MPA (see ADDRESS above).

II. Description of Study Areas and Project Need

    The proposed project consists of an analysis of alternatives to 
improve the connection between the MBTA transit system and Logan 
International Airport in East Boston, Massachusetts. The People Mover 
Alternative consists of fully automated electrically powered vehicles 
operating along a dedicated, elevated guideway system approximately 2.7 
miles in length. The People Mover would replace the current shuttle bus 
service that connects passengers using public transit and Logan Airport 
terminals. The system will have the capacity to accommodate up to five 
times the existing number of airport passengers using the MBTA Airport 
Station. It will have fully climate controlled stations at the MBTA's 
Blue Line Airport station and the terminal stations, with potential 
service to the rental car area and the water shuttle in future phases 
of the project. The project study area will focus on Logan Airport 
property, but project impacts within the boundary of Route 128 will be 
also be evaluated.
    The People Mover Alternative would improve service and convenience 
for airport passengers, employees, and visitors accessing Logan via the 
MBTA and passengers traveling between terminals. The construction of 
the People Mover would complete the intermodal connection between the 
Boston region's mass transportation system and Logan Airport. The 
improved service and convenience afforded by this project is expected 
to support and facilitate increases in MBTA mode share and help contain 
or reduce environmental impacts associated with the anticipated growth 
in passenger levels at Logan in the years to come. It will provide 
improved on-airport circulation, better Blue Line station access, and a 
fast, frequent, reliable replacement for the fleets of shuttle buses 
that now add to the congestion on airport roads and at terminal curbs. 
Construction of the People Mover will result in fewer passenger vehicle 
trips, fewer vehicle miles traveled, lower diesel emissions, less 
roadway and curbside congestion, and more roadway capacity for other 
high occupancy modes. It is also expected to decrease regional air 
quality impacts and congestion associated with passenger and employee 
trips to Logan.

III. Alternatives

    The alternatives proposed for evaluation include:
    (1) a Transportation Systems Management (TSM)/No-Build alternative, 
which involves additional buses and conversion of the fleet to clean 
fuels without construction of a People Mover;
    (2) construction of a People Mover Terminal Alignment system and 
refinements to the Terminal Alignment system, including stops at the 
MBTA Blue Line Airport Station and each of the airport terminal 
stations; and
    (3) consideration of a Blue Line Extension to the airport, which 
would bring MBTA Blue Line transit service directly onto airport 
property.

IV. Probable Effects/Potential Impacts for Analysis

    The FTA and the MPA will evaluate all significant environmental, 
social, and economic impacts of the alternatives analyzed in the EIS. 
Impacts include changes in the natural environment (air and water 
quality, rare and endangered species), changes in the social 
environment (land use and neighborhoods, noise and vibration, 
aesthetics, park lands, historic/archaeological resources), public 
safety and changes in the transit service and patronage. Project 
capital and operating costs and revenues will be estimated. The impacts 
will be evaluated for year 2010 with 37.5 million annual airline 
passengers (MAP), year 2010 with 45 MAP, and for opening year 2002 with 
32 MAP. Measures to mitigate significant adverse impacts will be 
addressed.

V. FTA Procedures

    In accordance with the Federal Transit Act, as amended, and with 
FTA policy, the Draft EIR/EIS will be prepared in conjunction with a 
Major Investment Study. After its publication, the Draft EIR/EIS/MIS 
will be available for public and agency review and comment, and a 
public hearing will be held. On the basis of the Draft EIR/EIS/MIS and 
the comments received, the MPA will select a preferred alternative, and 
will seek approval from FTA to continue with preparation of the Final 
EIR/EIS.

    Issued on: January 17, 1996.
Richard H. Doyle,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-740 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am]
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