Virginia Street Bus RAPID Transit Extension Project Environmental Assessment (EA) Presentation Public Hearing June 22, 2017 Presentation to RTC July 17, 2015
Presentation Overview Project Timeline Environmental Assessment Highlights Schedule Forward / Next Steps Where to View / How to Comment
Project Timeline Milestones and Meetings Alternatives Development Locally Preferred Alternative Develop Environmental Document Publish EA Document FTA Decision Document Anticipated Construction/ ROW Anticipated
Purpose of the Project Increase transit ridership Improve transit service in heavily urbanized corridor Exclusive bus lanes Traffic signal priority at intersections RAPID station amenities Increase transit connectivity Extend RAPID from 4TH STREET STATION to UNR campus Enhance pedestrian safety Sidewalk and crosswalk infrastructure improvements Improve accessibility to transit Address ADA compliance issues
Purpose of the Project
Need for the Project Existing transit service cannot accommodate year 2035 population, employment, student enrollment, and travel demand Improve transit performance Deficient pedestrian conditions throughout the corridor limit pedestrian access to transit Improve pedestrian conditions The current road network does not support safe multimodal transportation Improve safety
Alternatives Development Alternatives Development Virginia Street Corridor Investment Plan, 2014 Environmental Analysis Public Input Community Meetings / Workshops Online Public Preference Survey Midtown Business Outreach 1-on-1 Meetings Other small group meetings Reno City Council RTC Board of Commissioners No-Build Alternative Basis of comparison to any considered alternative Does not meet project purpose and need
Preferred Alternative RAPID Stations and Operating Plan 1.8-mile Route Extension: 4TH STREET STATION Lake Street / Evans Avenue 6 th Street North Virginia Street Lawlor Events Center North Virginia - 5 New RAPID stations NB and SB Stations between 8 th Street and 9 th Street SB Station at College Drive NB Station at 14 th Street NB/SB Station at 15 th Street South Virginia - 3 RAPID stations upgrades NB Station at Holcomb Avenue SB Station at La Rue Avenue SB Station at Stewart Street Transit Signal Priority
Preferred Alternative RAPID Running Way Components North Virginia Street Convert one travel lane to dedicated transit lane Bicycle lanes Roadway pavement improvements New roundabout at Lawlor Events Center parking garage Sidewalk and crosswalk improvements South Virginia Street Convert one travel lane to dedicated transit lane - Wells Avenue to Mt. Rose Remove one travel lane in both directions - Mt. Rose to Vassar Remove two-way left turn lane - Vassar to Liberty Roadway pavement improvements New roundabout at Mary Street / Center Street Sidewalk and crosswalk improvements
Preferred Alternative Multimodal Components Pedestrian Infrastructure Address ADA compliance issues Sidewalk upgrades Bulb-outs Crosswalks Bicycle Infrastructure Remove and relocate parking as necessary
Findings All Potential Impacts Mitigated Environmental Resources Evaluated within Project Area Air Quality Land Use Federal Threatened, Endangered, Candidate, and Other Special-Status Species Historic Resources Noise and Vibration Energy Hazardous Materials Wetlands Parks and Recreational Areas Environmental Justice and Community Disruption Floodplains Water Quality, Navigable Waterways, and Coastal Zones Traffic Acquisitions and Relocations Parking
Schedule Forward / Next Steps EA Public Comment Period Incorporate Public Comments and RTC Responses into EA Federal Transit Administration Decision Document Continue Community Outreach on Landscape & Aesthetics Begin right of way acquisition and relocation process Complete Final Design
Where to View Environmental Assessment RTC Website www.rtcwashoe.com RTC Engineering Office 1105 Terminal Way, Suite 108 Reno, NV 89502 Project Website www. Washoe County Downtown Library 301 S. Center Street Reno, NV 89501 City of Reno Clerk s Office 1 E. 1 st Street Reno, NV 89501 2 nd floor
How to Comment Environmental Assessment Public Comment Period / Court Reporter / Comment Forms available at today s EA Public Hearing Mail RTC Engineering Department 1105 Terminal Way, Suite 108 Reno, NV 89502 Telephone (775) 348-0171 Electronically EAcomments@rtcwashoe.com Facsimile (775) 348-0170 Project Website www. Submit EA Comments to RTC by 5pm on July 6, 2017 Your RTC. Our Community.