CENTRAL MESA HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT CORRIDOR study SCOPING BROCHURE
INTRODUCTION Study Description, Project Background METRO and the City of Mesa are conducting a 24-month study to analyze potential high capacity transit corridors in the downtown Mesa area and east to Power Road. The study follows a process to qualify for federal funding and is referred to as an Alternatives Analysis (AA). Upon completion of the AA, the appropriate environmental documentation will be completed according to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidance. The AA is the first stage of the transit planning process required by the FTA in accordance with recently enacted federal transportation legislation. During the course of these studies, METRO and the City of Mesa will examine several potential transit technologies and alignments that could be built in the study area. The AA study is conducted concurrent with a public involvement program that is structured to obtain community feedback, share project details, and ascertain community desires regarding potential high capacity transit service Downtown Mesa improvements. This will help METRO and the City to identify the route and transit technology that will provide the best transportation choices for Mesa and East Valley residents. The Central Mesa Corridor Study is funded by the Proposition 400 half-cent transportation sales tax extension approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004, and is contained in the adopted RTP as a component of the 57 miles of light rail / high capacity transit (HCT) network to be implemented by 2026 (Figure 1). The 20- mile light rail starter line now under construction runs through Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, where it will terminate at a station located at Sycamore and Main Streets. This starter line will open for passenger service in December 2008. Other high capacity or light rail corridors are planned to be implemented as follows: Northwest Phase I opens in 2012; Phase II opens in 2017; Tempe South opens in 2015; Central Mesa opens in 2015; Glendale opens 2017; I-10 West opens 2019; and Northeast opens in 2025. The Central Mesa High Capacity Transit study area, shown on (Figure 2), is bounded by Dobson Road on the west, Power Road on the east, University Drive on the north, and the U.S. 60 Freeway on the south. The City of Mesa, which spans approximately 132 square miles, is the third largest city in Arizona. Mesa s estimated population of 455,100 is expected to increase by approximately 25% by 2020. The current MAG travel demand model shows an approximate 30% increase in person trips between 2004 and 2030 for Maricopa County, and an approximate 40% increase in work trips for the same period. Growth in the City of Mesa has caused substantial increases in traffic congestion on the existing roadway network, and has generated the need for new public transportation service.
Mesa Arts Center Even with implementation of the projects included in the MAG Regional Transportation Plan, level of service (LOS) in 2030 on both the area freeways and arterials is expected to deteriorate substantially because of increased travel demand, resulting in a significant increase in delay. According to preliminary reviews of future travel trends, daily freeway congestion in the Mesa study corridor is expected to exceed congestion levels in other areas, such as the Downtown Phoenix area, Sky Harbor Airport vicinity and the Tempe rail corridor. In 2030, daily congestion is expected on 93% of lane miles on roadways in the Mesa project corridor, a growth of 66% over current levels. EVIT Areas in Mesa located west of the immediate project corridor are expected to generate highest growth in vehicular travel. In southwest and southeast Mesa, vehicular travel trends are projected to be at the highest levels by 2030, in comparison to other areas of the County, east of the project study area. Consistent with this anticipated trend, traffic congestion is expected to be most severe on south Mesa roadways, and on freeways that serve the Mesa corridor in general (U.S. Hwy 60 Superstition Freeway). The potential for the high capacity transit improvement to address this heightened travel demand by connecting the project corridor with the end-of-line station at Sycamore will be examined during the AA, and particularly in the development of the Purpose and Need Statement for the project. In addition, several attractions of regional significance are being planned throughout the City. These attractions will provide significant employment, commercial, entertainment and retail resources, and are expected to generate even greater demand for travel and access, both within the City limits and between the City and regionally significant areas west and northwest of the City, such as the City of Tempe, the Phoenix Central Business District (CBD)/Washington Corridor, and the Spectrum Mall vicinity. Downtown Mesa
PURPOSE OF STUDY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Identify a transit alternative that increases efficient access to employment opportunities throughout the Central Phoenix/ East Valley region for City of Mesa residents. Identify a transit alternative that provides improved travel times in a congested environment over local bus. Identify a transit improvement alternative, with a recommended alignment and technology, to connect the western and central segments of the City of Mesa with the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail System currently under construction; Identify a widely-supported transit improvement alternative that would facilitate continued growth and development of a comprehensive and inter-connected regional transit network that is multi-modal, that offers a range of effective mobility choices for current and future transit riders, and that attracts new transit riders onto the growing regional system. Identify a transit alternative that supports economic development, and ensures enhanced connectivity among existing and planned regional and local activity centers and attractions. THE SCOPING PROCESS What is it, Why do it? Scoping is a study process designed to inform the public, interested groups and participating agencies about the proposed project, potential alternatives under consideration, and issues for public and agency review and input. The main goal is to encourage the active participation of the community and public agencies early in the decision-making process. It provides the public an opportunity to communicate issues and concerns to help develop alternatives before considerable resources have been expended. The scoping process defines the alternative routes and alignments that will be examined in the study, identifies potential impacts that could arise from the implementation of each alternative under consideration, and establishes the goals and objectives that will guide the evaluation of project alternatives. Key issues are identified, and the technical analyses that will address issues are defined. Citizens, agencies and community organizations are encouraged to comment early in the process so that they can provide input in setting the direction of the study, including the definition of project goals and objectives, issues, and impacts to be studied. All reasonable alternatives and potentially significant project impacts are identified and examined early in the process. Public scoping meetings to accept comments on the scope of the study will be held on the following dates: Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. Mesa City Plaza, Training Room 170 20 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201 Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. Jefferson Elementary School, Recreation Center 120 S. Jefferson Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85208
The buildings used for the scoping meetings are accessible to persons with disabilities. Any individual who requires special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, to participate in a scoping meeting should contact Jodi Sorrell, City of Mesa, 600 SE Sixth Street, Mesa, AZ 85211 (Telephone 480-644-5541) at least 48 hours in advance of a meeting in order for METRO and the City of Mesa to make the necessary arrangements. In addition, a scoping meeting will be held for governmental agencies as shown: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. METRO 101 North 1st Ave., Suite 1300 Phoenix, AZ 85003 Written and e-mailed comments on the scope of study, including the alternatives to be considered, and the impacts to be assessed, should be sent to Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (METRO) on or before Sept. 13, 2007, addressed to: Additional opportunities for community involvement will be provided throughout the study process as discussed in the Public Involvement section of this document. This scoping information booklet has been developed to provide information about the scoping process itself, the background information leading to the need for the study, the project development process, the initial alternatives being considered, the environmental impact and financial analysis processes, and opportunities for public involvement. METRO and the City of Mesa welcome your participation to help identify important issues and to bring fresh ideas and suggestions to our attention. We encourage you to review the information contained in this booklet; it provides the background information that will help you formulate your comments on the study. Mr. Marc Soronson METRO 101 North 1st Avenue, Suite 1300, Phoenix, AZ 85003 centralmesa@metrolightrail.org Ph: (602) 254-RAIL Fax: (602) 252-7453 Scoping Meeting Format The purpose and need for the project, as well as the initial set of alternatives proposed for study, will be presented at these meetings. The scoping meetings will be held in an openhouse format, and representatives will be available to discuss the project throughout the time periods given. Oral and written comments may be given at the scoping meetings, and a court reporter will be available to record all comments.
FIGURE 1: REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN TRANSIT CORRIDORS LEGEND Beardsley Rd Bell Rd Thunderbird Rd Peoria Ave Northern Ave Bethany Home Rd Indian School Rd McDowell Rd Buckeye Rd Broadway Rd Baseline Rd 101 Peoria Glendale 10 2017 2019 17 Phoenix 2017 2012 17 Phoenix 101 51 202 2008 2025 Paradise Valley 10 143 Scottsdale 2015 Tempe 101 Chaparral Rd Thomas Rd 202 2015 60 Initial 20-mile Light Rail Alignment (Scheduled to open Dec. 2008) Northwest Extension Phase 1 (Scheduled to open 2012) Future High Capacity / Light Rail Corridors for Further Study Central Mesa Corridor Note: Dates indicate calendar year openings Mesa McKellips Rd University Dr Southern Ave Guadalupe Rd Gilbert Warner Rd South Chandler Mountain Freeway Santan Freeway Chandler Blvd Germann Rd 99th Ave 83rd Ave 67th Ave 51st Ave 35th Ave 19th Ave Central Ave 24th St 40th St 56th St Rural Rd Price Rd Alma School Rd McQueen Rd Gilbert Rd Val Vista Dr FIGURE 2: CENTRAL MESA CORRIDOR STUDY AREA University Dr Main St Union Pacific Railroad Broadway Rd Pueblo Ave/8th St Tempe canal EVIT CITY HALL LEGEND Light rail starter line / Station Central Mesa study area High capacity / LRT corridor* Planned BRT routes* AA BRT alternatives Freeway Express *Regional Transportation Plan - RTP Southern Ave 60 SUPERSTITION SPRINGS CENTER Dobson Rd Sycamore Alma School Rd Extension Rd Country Club Dr Center St Mesa Dr Stapley Dr Gilbert Rd Lindsay Rd Val Vista Dr Greenfield Rd Higley Rd Recker Rd Power Rd
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS The AA/EIS will be prepared in accordance with NEPA and its implementing regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) and with the FTA/ Federal Highway Administration regulations Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (23 CFR Part 771). In accordance with 23 CFR 771.105(a) and 771.133, FTA will comply with all Federal environmental laws, regulations, and executive orders applicable to the proposed project during the environmental review process to the maximum extent practicable. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the environmental and public hearing provisions of Federal transit laws (49 U.S.C. 5301(e), 5323(b), and 5324), the project-level air quality conformity regulation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (40 CFR part 93), the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines of EPA (40 CFR part 230), the regulation implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR part 800), the regulation implementing Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (50 CFR part 402), Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (23 CFR 771.135), and Executive Orders 12898 on environmental justice, 11988 on floodplain management and 11990 on wetlands. Alternatives under Consideration Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail LPA The 2002 Final EIS for the Central Phoenix/ East Valley Light Rail Transit Project (the LRT Starter Line that is currently under construction and scheduled to open in December 2008) identified four LRT alignment options that were outside the Build Alternative project studied in that Final EIS. These options extended from the eastern terminus of the LRT Starter Line and continued into the Mesa Town Center. All options used either Main Street, 1st Avenue, 1st Street, or some combination thereof. Recent growth in the vicinity of Mesa Drive has narrowed opportunities for adequate parkand-ride facilities in that area; therefore, it is suggested that park-and-ride facilities be located further east near Horne where a parkand-ride facility could be provided. BRT Alternative The City of Mesa recently conducted a study to evaluate new and improved bus rapid transit (BRT) in the study area. The study recommended a phased BRT project that would initially connect the eastern terminus of the LRT Starter Line to Superstition Springs Mall via Main Street and Power Road, a total of 13 miles. Phase 1 of the BRT project is scheduled to coincide with the opening of the LRT Starter Line in 2008. Future operating and service characteristics for the BRT project are subject to change pending the results of the AA/EIS and public and agency input. Other Alternatives At a minimum, the alternatives to be considered include the following: No-Build implements a modified existing and committed road and transit improvements as defined by the Regional Transportation Plan and coordinated with the City of Mesa. The No-Build includes the Mesa BRT project on Main Street scheduled for operation in December 2008. Transportation System Management (TSM) includes reasonable cost-effective transit service improvements short of a major capital investment in fixed guideway. The TSM implements all of the projects in the No-Build Alternative.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - includes projects defined in the No-Build Alternative and programmed bus service expansion. BRT options under consideration extend at-grade from the LRT Starter Line to Superstition Springs Mall and include: BRT via Main Street and Power Road BRT via Main Street, Mesa Drive, and Southern Avenue BRT via Main Street, Gilbert Road, and Southern Avenue) BRT in the Mesa Town Center include: - Main Street through downtown Mesa - Main Street to 1st Street/1st Avenue Loop in downtown Mesa - Main Street to 1st Street double fixed guideway in downtown Mesa Light Rail Transit - includes projects included in the No-Build Alternative, the highway element of the TSM alternative and consideration of a LRT extension from the CP/EV end-of-line station at Sycamore to the Mesa Town Center at Horne Avenue. LRT alignment sub-options in the Mesa Town Center include (Figure 3): Main Street through downtown Mesa; Main Street to 1st Street diversion in downtown Mesa; Main Street to 1st Avenue diversion in downtown Mesa; Main Street to a 1st Street/1st Avenue couplet in downtown Mesa; and A supporting bus component would include BRT service connecting the LRT terminus at approximately Horne and would extend to Superstition Springs Mall. FIGURE 3: HCT ALTERNATIVES BASE MAP LEGEND 2nd St HCT A HCT B HCT C HCT D 1st St Main St 1st Ave 2nd Ave Sycamore Alma School Rd Extension Rd Country Club Dr Center St Mesa Dr Horne
TRANSIT TECHNOLOGIES Transit technologies under consideration are Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit operating in exclusive guideway. Rapid Transit METRO Light Rail Orange Line in Los Angeles, California Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a type of limited-stop service developed in the 1990s that relies on technology to help provide speedier service and travel times. BRT can operate on exclusive transit corridors, high-occupancy-vehicle lanes, expressways, or in mixed traffic on city streets. A BRT line combines intelligent transportation systems technology, priority for transit, rapid and convenient fare collection, and integration with land use policy in order to substantially upgrade bus system performance. These are described in more detail below. The Orange Line in California is one example of BRT service. The following features characterize BRT technology: Exclusive Busway or HOV/Limited Access Roadway Busways are special roadways designed for the exclusive use of buses; HOV lanes improve service for long-distance commuters. BRT on arterial streets may include lanes reserved for buses and street enhancements that result in increased bus speed and improved service. Traffic Signal Priority Traffic signals are designed to give preference to buses. As the bus travels along its route, electronic sensors provide indications to alert the traffic signal control box, triggering the signalization program to shorten or eliminate intersection wait times for buses. Valley Metro in Phoenix, AZ Opportunities for community interaction and input will occur at important milestones throughout the study process. Within the initial phase of the Central Mesa Corridor Study, opportunities will be provided at the following milestones:
Boarding and Fare Collection Improvements Rapid fare collection through prepaid or electronic passes and low-floor/wide-door boarding results in time savings. Level Boarding and Precision Docking may be a feature of BRT; this would more closely emulate LRT and Street Car operations Limited Stops Increasing distances between stations or shelters increases speeds. Improved Stations and Shelters Bus terminals and unique stations or shelters differentiate BRT service from standard bus service. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technologies Advanced technology can maintain more consistent distances between buses and inform passengers when the next bus is arriving. Modern Streamlined Vehicles The attractiveness of the technology is improved over that of standard buses to offer a variety of seating options, easier boarding, smoother rides, and greater appeal to the riding public. Light Rail Transit (LRT) Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a steel-wheeled transit system of single cars or multi-car trains (up to three vehicle consists on the CP/EV system), with articulated vehicles that allow greater turning flexibility. A distinctive feature of LRT is that vehicles draw power from an electrified over- head wire, which allows LRT to be integrated with mixed vehicle traffic and pedestrians. With overhead power collection and the availability of articulated LRT vehicles, LRT can operate in mixed traffic on tracks embedded in the street, on at-grade rights-of-way with street and pedestrian crossings, and on exclusive rights-ofway. LRT Stations typically are between 0.5 and 1 mile apart. LRT top speeds range from 50 to 65 mph, with average speeds, including station stops, ranging between 15 and 30 mph. The vehicles carry on average 250 passengers, maximum. LRT usually operates in a semi-exclusive right-of-way and is usually designed with some degree of traffic separation in urban areas. Key characteristics of LRT include: LRT vehicles can operate as a single car or multi-unit train and, after heavy rail, has the highest passenger carrying capacity of all of the modes. Vehicles can operate at maximum operating speed. This feature is not significant in the urban environment but is a benefit in traversing longer, unencumbered distances. Steel wheels on welded steel rails provide a smooth ride with a vehicle performance that offers gradual acceleration and deceleration. The METRO Central Phoenix/East Valley LRT Project, the Portland MAX, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) are examples of LRT systems. The METRO Central Phoenix/East Valley LRT Project, the Portland MAX, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) are examples of LRT systems. PROJECT MILESTONES Public Meetings/Workshops: Sept. - Oct. 2007 Public Meetings: Feb. - March 2008 DEIS Preparation: Aug. 2008 - May 2009 Scoping: Aug. 2007 Public Meetings/Open House: June 2008 Adoption of the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA): July - Aug. 2008
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT METRO will conduct a concurrent Public Involvement Program during the Alternatives Analysis study. A draft Public Involvement Plan, which includes a Project Coordination Plan and a list of participating agencies, was developed in concert with METRO and City of Mesa staff to guide the public involvement process. A project database of stakeholders, property owners in the study area, elected officials, community groups and organizations, Technical Advisory Committee members, along with a schedule of initial stakeholder meetings have been developed, and are under review by METRO, City of Mesa, Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA). The project database and the Public Involvement Plan will be refined to incorporate public input. Notice of scheduled project meetings will be mailed to property and business owners in the project area, and posted to the project website (address listed below). A Project Fact Sheet has been distributed throughout the community, and may be viewed on the project s website listed below. Project information will also be provided through a project telephone hotline. Alternatively, interested residents may provide contact information to receive additional project updates or with questions. PROJECT HOTLINE 602-254-RAIL WEBSITE MetroLightRail.org/centralmesa MetroLightRail.org Info@MetroLightRail.org To receive this information in alternative formats call (602) 254-7245 / TTY (602) 322-4499. Para recibir esta información en formatos alternativos favor de llamar al 602-254-7245/TTY 602-322-4499.