[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 154 (Monday, August 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43027-43028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21160]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Environmental Impact Statement on Southwest Corridor Transit 
Improvements in Cleveland, Ohio

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Greater 
Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) are undertaking the 
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for transit 
improvements. The local agency will ensure that the EIS also satisfies 
requirements established by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. 
The Environmental Impact Statement will evaluate alternative rail 
transit alignments in the corridor between the GCRTA Red Lines current 
terminus at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, to the 
International Exposition (I-X) Center and the Central Business District 
(CBD) in Berea, Ohio. In addition, the EIS will evaluate Transportation 
System Management (TSM) improvements and a No-Build alternative and any 
new alternatives generated through the scoping process. Scoping will be 
accomplished through correspondence with interested persons, 
organizations, and federal, state, and local agencies and through three 
public meetings. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below for details.

DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of the 
alternative alignments and impacts to be considered should be sent to 
the GCRTA by Saturday, September 20, 1997. Scoping Meetings: The public 
scoping meetings will be held on Monday, September 8, 1997 between 3:00 
P.M. and 6:00 P.M. at the Frank J. Lausche State Office Building; 
Tuesday, September 9, 1997 between 3:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. at Berea 
City Hall and Wednesday, September 10, 1997 between 3:00 P.M. and 9:00 
P.M. at Brook Park City Hall. See ADDRESSES below. People with special 
needs should contact Edward Taylor of the GCRTA at (216) 566-5020. A 
TDD number is available (216) 781-4271. The buildings are accessible to 
people with disabilities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Fish, Director, Office of 
Planning and Program Development; Federal Transit Administration, 55 
East Monroe Street, Suite 1415; Chicago, Illinois 60603 (312) 353-2865.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on project scope should be sent to Mr. 
Edward Taylor, Deputy Project Manager, Greater Cleveland Regional 
Transit Authority, 615 Superior Avenue, W, Cleveland, Ohio 44113. 
Scoping Meetings will be held at the following locations:
1. Frank J. Lausche State Office Building, 615 Superior Avenue, W, 
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
2. City Hall, City of Berea, 11 Berea Commons, Berea, Ohio 44017
3. City Hall, City of Brook Park, 6161 Engle Road, Brook Park, Ohio 
44142

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Scoping

    FTA and the GCRTA invite interested individuals, organizations, and 
federal, state and local agencies to participate in defining the 
alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS and identifying any significant 
social, economic, or

[[Page 43028]]

environmental issues related to the alternatives. An information packet 
describing the purpose of the project, the proposed alternatives, the 
impact areas to be evaluated, the citizen involvement program and the 
preliminary project schedule is being mailed to affected federal, state 
and local agencies and to interested parties on record. Others may 
request the scoping materials by contacting Mr. Edward Taylor at the 
address above or by calling him at (216) 566-5100. Scoping comments may 
be made verbally at any of the public scoping meetings or in writing. 
See DATES and ADDRESSES sections above for location and times. During 
scoping, comments should focus on identifying specific social, 
economic, or environmental impacts to be evaluated and suggesting 
alternatives that are less costly or have less environmental impact 
while achieving similar transit objectives. Scoping is not an 
appropriate time to indicate a preference for a particular alternative. 
Comments on preferences should be communicated after the Draft EIS has 
been completed. The meeting will be held in an ``open house'' format 
and project representatives will be available to discuss the project 
throughout the time period given. Informational displays and written 
materials also will be available throughout the time period given. In 
addition to written comments which may be made at the meeting or as 
described below, a stenographer will be available at the meeting to 
record comments. If you wish to be placed on the mailing list to 
receive further information as the project develops, contact Mr. Edward 
Taylor as previously described.

II. Description of Study Area and Project Needs

    The study area is wholly within Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It is 
approximately 2.5-miles long and connects the central business district 
of Berea, Ohio with the existing GCRTA Red Line rapid transit terminus 
at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The corridor also connects 
the International Exposition Center with the airport and Berea. 
Existing traffic is primarily carried by the Berea Freeway (OH 237), 
Eastland Road, Front Street and Prospect Street with high traffic 
volumes at many of the signalized intersections. The proposed rail 
extension is intended to provide a high quality connection between the 
existing Red Line terminus at the Airport, the I-X Center and Berea; to 
support economic revitalization of the Berea CBD through greater 
transit accessibility; to stimulate economic development at the I-X 
Center by improving transit access between Downtown Cleveland and the 
I-X Center; contribute to higher transit mode share for work trips 
between the southwest suburbs and Downtown Cleveland; improve 
opportunities for reverse commute transportation options; to help 
achieve regional clean air goals; and improve travel efficiencies in 
the Southwest Corridor.

III. Alternatives

    Transportation alternatives proposed for evaluation include a No-
Build Alternative which involves no change to transportation services 
or facilities in the corridor beyond those improvements currently 
programmed; a TSM alternative which includes a package of improvements 
to one or all elements of the transportation network intended to 
improve travel time, reduce congestion, and enhance land-use 
development or redevelopment; and a rail transit alternative which 
consists of extending the GCRTA Red Line utilizing varying alternative 
alignments, segment lengths and technologies. It is anticipated that 
the rail line extension would involve streetcar style operations in 
Berea.

IV. Probable Effects/Potential Impacts for Analysis

    FTA and GCRTA plan to evaluate in the EIS all significant social, 
economic, and environmental impacts of the alternatives. Among the 
primary issues are transportation service changes including transit 
cost, service, patronage and its financial implications; the effect on 
traffic movement and railroad operations; community impacts, including 
land use planning and zoning compatibility, neighborhood compatibility, 
local and regional economic change, aesthetics, and utility relocation; 
cultural resource impacts, including air quality, noise and vibration, 
removal of pre-existing hazardous wastes, and effects on water 
resources and quality, natural features, and ecosystems. The proposed 
impact assessment and its evaluation criteria will take into account 
both positive and negative impacts, direct and indirect impacts, short-
term (construction) and long-term (operation) impacts, and site-
specific and corridor-wide impacts. Evaluation criteria will be 
consistent with applicable federal, State of Ohio and local standards, 
criteria, regulations, and policies. Mitigation measures will be 
explored for any adverse impacts that are identified as part of the 
analysis.

V. FTA Procedures

    In accordance with the Federal Transit Act, as amended, and FTA 
policy, the Draft EIS will be prepared in conjunction with a major 
investment study and the Final EIS in conjunction with Preliminary 
Engineering. After its publication, the Draft EIS will be available for 
public and agency review and comment, and a public hearing will be 
held. On the basis of the Draft EIS and comments received, the GCRTA, 
in concert with the Ohio Department of Transportation and NOACA, and in 
consultation with Cuyahoga County, the Cities of Berea, Brook Park and 
Cleveland and other affected agencies, will select a locally preferred 
alternative. The GCRTA will then seek to have NOACA, the metropolitan 
planning organization for the Cleveland area, include the preferred 
alternative in the regional transportation plan and seek approval from 
FTA to continue with Preliminary Engineering and preparation of the 
Final EIS.

    Issued on: August 6, 1997.
Joel P. Ettinger,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-21160 Filed 8-8-97; 8:45 am]
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