[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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