[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 56346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22371]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Environmental Impact Statement for the North Springfield Bus 
Rapid Transit Corridor Extension in the Eugene-Springfield Oregon 
Metropolitan Area

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

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

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration and Lane Transit District 
(LTD) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for 
transit improvements in the North Springfield Bus Rapid Transit 
Corridor of the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan region. The purpose of 
this Notice of Intent is to notify interested parties of the intent to 
prepare an EIS and invite participation in the study. The Eugene-
Springfield metropolitan region has adopted a long-range transportation 
plan, TransPlan, which identifies Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as the 
preferred transit strategy for the twenty-year plan. BRT was adopted as 
a comprehensive system plan, which includes full build-out of five 
corridors. The general alignments of the five corridors have been 
identified in the approved plan. Phase 1, the initial 4 mile east-west 
corridor alignment is the first of the corridors to be implemented, and 
is currently in final design. The remaining four corridors will be 
implemented in priority order as determined by local elected officials 
through a corridor selection process. The North Springfield BRT 
Corridor has been identified as the next priority corridor to pursue in 
Springfield.
    The BRT project proposes to implement a major high capacity transit 
improvement in the North Springfield Corridor that maintains livability 
in the metropolitan region, supports land use goals, optimizes the 
transportation system, increases overall corridor capacity, is 
environmentally sensitive, reflects community values, and is fiscally 
responsive.
    Meeting Dates: Agency Coordination Meeting: An agency coordination 
meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at the 
Lane Transit District, 3500 East 17th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon.
    Public Information Meeting: A public information meeting will be 
held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19th, 2002 at the Lane 
Transit District, 1700 East 17th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon. The Lane 
Transit District is accessible to persons with disabilities. Any 
individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such as a 
sign language interpreter, should contact Lane Transit District at 
(541) 682-6100 at least 48-hours in advance of the meeting in order for 
LTD to make necessary arrangements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agency Coordination should contact 
Lisa Gardner, LTD EIS Manager at (541) 682-6135 or (email) 
[email protected]. Public information contact Sue Aufort, LTD 
Public Involvement Coordinator at (541) 682-6144 or (email) 
[email protected]. Written comments should be sent to Lisa 
Gardner, North Springfield Corridor Project, Lane Transit District, 
3500 East 17th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97403. Additional information on the 
North Springfield Corridor Project can also be found on the LTD Web 
site at: http://www.ltd.org. Additional information can be obtained 
from Rebecca Reyes-Alicea, Community Planner, Federal Transit 
Administration, at (206) 220-4464.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

I. Notice of Intent

    This Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS is being published at this 
time to inform interested parties. The North Springfield Corridor 
Project is examining BRT alternatives in the north Springfield 
corridor. FTA regulations and guidance will be used for the analysis 
and preparation of the North Springfield Corridor EIS.

II. Study Area

    The North Springfield Corridor encompasses a general alignment 
heading north from South ``A'' Street in Springfield to the Gateway 
area in Springfield. The exact alignment will be determined as part of 
the EIS process.

III. Alternatives

    All reasonable alternatives will be evaluated in the EIS including 
a No-Build Alternative, which will provide the basis for comparison of 
the build alternatives. The No-Build Alternative includes the existing 
transportation system plus improvements to the fixed-route transit 
system included in the Regional Transportation Plan Financially 
Constrained Transportation Network, excluding the implementation of 
BRT.

IV. Probable Effects

    FTA and LTD will evaluate all significant transportation, 
environmental, social and economic impacts of the alternatives. Primary 
issues include support of state, regional and local land use and 
transportation plans and policies, neighborhood impacts, and 
environmental sensitivity. The impacts will be evaluated for both the 
construction period and for the long-term period of operation. Measures 
to mitigate any significant impact will be developed.

    Issued On: August 28, 2002.
R.F. Krochalis,
FTA Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-22371 Filed 8-30-02; 8:45 am]
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