[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44512-44513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22257]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Environmental Impact Statement on the Phase 1A Extension of Tren
Urbano
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 and the Puerto Rico Highway
and Transportation Authority intend to prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for transportation improvements in the
city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of the Tren Urbano rail rapid
transit project in the San Juan metropolitan area. The SEIS is intended
to be a supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
for the Tren Urbano, San Juan Metropolitan Area, issued in November
1995.
The SEIS for the Phase 1A project covers the extension of the
original line past its currently approved eastern terminus at Segrado
Corazon station to a new terminus at Minillas, a distance of
approximately 1,500 meters. In addition to the No Action Alternative,
two remaining ``Build'' alternatives for the extension will be
considered, designated as Alternatives A and B. Each includes an
underground station at Minillas and a station between Segrado Corazon
and Minillas. The intermediate station in Alternative A is located on
an aerial structure, while in Alternative B the intermediate station is
underground.
DATES: Written comments on the scope of alternatives to be considered
and impacts to be studied should be sent to the Puerto Rico Highway and
Transportation Authority's Tren Urbano Project Office by October 6,
1997. See ADDRESSES below.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the project scope should be sent to
Carlos A. Colon, Deputy Executive Director, Puerto Rico Highway and
Transportation Authority, P.O. Box 42007, San Juan, PR 00940-2007, FAX
(787) 722-1321.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan E. Schruth, Regional
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Region IV, (404) 562-
3500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Description of Study Area and Project Need
The Tren Urbano project now under construction will provide rail
transit facilities along a 17.2-km route connecting the areas of
Bayamon, Guaynabo, Rio Piedras, Hato Rey and Santurce in the San Juan
metropolitan area. The double-tracked transit line will include
segments at grade, on aerial structures and in a subway, depending on
right-of-way and physical and urban factors. The Phase 1A extension of
the line will bring rail transit facilities further into the Santurce
residential, business and government district by connecting the
Minillas area to the rest of the Tren Urbano system.
Alternatives
The No Action alternative, which includes the committed Tren Urbano
line already under construction, will serve as the baseline for the
evaluation of the ``Build'' alternatives below, and any additional
alternatives generated through public comments or other sources.
Several alignments were considered for the expansion before the final
two were selected for formal analysis in the Draft SEIS. The
alternatives eliminated were dropped due to their adverse consequences
on estimated project costs, their contribution to excessive urban
disruption or design and engineering difficulties. The remaining two
``Build'' options proposed for further analysis have been designated
Alternative A and Alternative B. They each encompass a route extension
of approximately 1,500 meters and include an underground station in the
Minillas area, although in differing configurations. Each alternative
also includes an intermediate station between the current terminal
station at Sagrado Corazon and the proposed Minillas station.
Alternative A: Elevated Alignment along PR-1 and PR-22
This alternative would extend the elevated structure west from the
end of the tail tracks at Sagrado Corazon station along the north
service road of PR-1 from Segrado Corazon Street to the interchange of
PR-1 and PR-22. The alignment would cross over the roadway of PR-22
turning to the north to be parallel with PR-22 on the west side of the
roadway. The elevated guideway would descend into a depressed cut south
of Fernandez Juncos Avenue and continue in an open cut to an
[[Page 44513]]
underground station south of Ponce de Leon Avenue. Tail tracks would
extend underground parallel to PR-22 north, beyond Ponce de Leon to
approximately Latimer Street. In addition to the center platform
station at Ponce de Leon, an intermediate stop would be built along PR-
1 at Los Angeles Street. This station would be elevated and have side
platforms.
Alternative B: Underground Alignment along Ponce de Leon Avenue
This alternative is the currently approved alignment by the Puerto
Rico Planning Board, and has been in the Plan Vial for the San Juan
Metropolitan Region since the Board and the Governor approved it in
1982. Under this alternative, the extension of Tren Urbano would be via
an underground alignment beneath Ponce de Leon Avenue. Similar to the
previous alternative, two stations would be constructed. As part of
this alternative, both stations would be underground. The alignment
would extend west from the Sagrado Corazon station along the north
marginal road of PR-1 until west of Pedro de Castro Street. At this
point, the alignment would curve northwest and descend to a tunnel
portal south of Fernandez Juncos Avenue. The Minillas station would be
located immediately west of PR-22 under Ponce de Leon and have a center
platform. The tail tracks would extend to a point west of Dos Hermanos
Street. An intermediate center platform station would be located at or
near the corner of Fidalgo Diaz Avenue.
Issued On: August 18, 1997.
Susan E. Schruth,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-22257 Filed 8-20-97; 8:45 am]
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