Early Scoping Notification for the Alternatives Analysis of the Tacoma Link Expansion in Tacoma, WA, 49857-49859 [2012-20220]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49857-49859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20220]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Early Scoping Notification for the Alternatives Analysis of the 
Tacoma Link Expansion in Tacoma, WA

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notification of early scoping meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Central Puget 
Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) issue this early 
scoping notice to advise other agencies and the public that they intend 
to explore potential alternatives for expanding the existing Tacoma 
Link light rail transit system in Tacoma, Pierce County Washington, in 
order to improve connections to the regional transit system and major 
activity centers. This notice invites the public to help frame the 
upcoming alternatives analysis by commenting on: the project's purpose 
and need, the transportation problems to be addressed by the study, 
potential solutions to the problems, the relevant transportation and 
community impacts and benefits to be considered, the appropriate extent 
of the study area, and ways for the public to participate in the 
alternatives analysis process. The

[[Page 49858]]

alternatives analysis is likely to conclude with the identification of 
a preferred mode and corridor. If preparation of an environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) is warranted following completion of the 
planning alternatives analysis, FTA will publish a Notice of Intent to 
prepare an EIS.
    This early scoping process is intended to support the alternatives 
analysis and a future National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping 
process, as appropriate. In addition, it supports FTA planning 
requirements associated with the New Starts (``Section 5309'') funding 
program for certain kinds of major capital investments. While recent 
legislation may lead to changes in the New Starts process, Sound 
Transit will comply with relevant FTA requirements relating to planning 
and project development to help it analyze and screen alternatives in 
preparation for NEPA.
    Public meetings are described immediately below. Following that is 
a more detailed discussion of the project and this early scoping 
process.

DATES: Combined scoping meetings where agencies and the public can 
learn more about and comment on the proposal will be held on August 22, 
2012 at the following times and locations:

1. People's Community Center, 1602 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, 
Tacoma, WA, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2. Tacoma Dome Station Plaza, 424 E 25th St., Tacoma, WA, 4 p.m. to 7 
p.m.

At the public and agency scoping meetings, Sound Transit will provide 
information on the alternatives analysis along with opportunities for 
written comments. Information is also available at 
www.soundtransit.org/TacomaLinkExpansion. Written scoping comments are 
requested by September 17, 2012 and can be sent or emailed to the 
address below, submitted at a public meeting, or sent via the comment 
form at www.soundtransit.org/TacomaLinkExpansion.

ADDRESSES: Erin Hunter, Sound Transit, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 
98104-2826, or by email to erin.hunter@soundtransit.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Witmer, FTA Community Planner, 
Jackson Federal Building, 915 Second Avenue, Suite 3142, Seattle, WA 
98174; Phone: (206) 220-7964; email: John.Witmer@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Early Scoping

    The alternatives analysis provides the local forum for evaluating 
the costs, benefits, and impacts of a range of transportation 
alternatives designed to address mobility problems and other locally-
identified objectives in a defined transportation corridor, and it 
provides an opportunity for determining which particular investment 
strategy should be advanced for more focused study and development. 
Early scoping for the Tacoma Link Expansion project is in accordance 
with NEPA policies stated in the Council on Environmental Quality's 
regulations and guidance for implementing NEPA, which encourage federal 
agencies to initiate NEPA early in their planning processes. See 40 CFR 
1501.2 through 8. It allows the scoping process to begin as soon as 
there is enough information to describe the proposal so that the public 
and relevant agencies can participate effectively. This is particularly 
useful when a potential proposed action involves a broadly defined 
corridor with an array of modal and alignment alternatives under 
consideration.
    This early scoping notice solicits public comments on the scope of 
the planning alternatives analysis, including the purpose and need for 
the project, a range of alternatives, and the environmental, 
transportation and community impacts and benefits to be considered.

Tacoma Link and the Regional Transit System

    The Tacoma Link light rail transit system is currently 1.6 miles 
long and serves six at-grade stations. It serves the Tacoma Dome 
Station (with connections to Sound Transit's Sounder commuter rail 
service and Regional Express bus service, as well as Pierce Transit and 
Intercity Transit), the University of Washington-Tacoma, Union Station, 
the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, and the downtown Tacoma 
business and theater districts.
    Sound Move, the first phase of regional transit investments, was 
approved and funded by voters in 1996. Sound Transit is now completing 
its implementation. It includes light rail, commuter rail and regional 
express bus infrastructure and service, including the Central Link 
light rail system between Northgate, the University of Washington, 
downtown Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac. In 2003, Tacoma Link light rail 
operation began. Regional Express bus service includes routes 
connecting the Tacoma Dome Station to other regional destinations, 
including Sea-Tac Airport and downtown Seattle. Sounder commuter rail 
service connects Tacoma to Seattle's King Street Station and north 
through several stops to an Everett terminus. In 2004, Sound Transit 
began planning for the phase of investment to follow Sound Move. This 
work included updating Sound Transit's Long-Range Plan and associated 
environmental review. Following several years of system planning work 
to detail, evaluate, and prioritize the next round of regional transit 
system expansion, voters in 2008 authorized funding to extend the 
Tacoma Link light rail system as part of the Sound Transit 2 (ST2) 
Plan. The ST2 Plan also extends light rail to Bellevue and Redmond to 
the east, to Northgate and Lynnwood to the north, and to Federal Way to 
the south.

Transportation Purpose of the Tacoma Link Expansion Project

    Sound Transit invites comments on the following preliminary 
statement of the project's purpose and need.
    The purpose of the Tacoma Link Expansion is to improve mobility and 
access to the regional transit system for Tacoma residents, employees, 
and visitors by connecting the existing Tacoma Link system with 
Tacoma's major activity centers and destinations within the City. The 
need for this project arises from:
     The need to meet the rapidly growing connectivity needs of 
the corridor and the region's future residents and workers by 
increasing mobility, access, and transportation capacity to and from 
regional growth and activity centers in Tacoma and the rest of the 
region, as called for in the region's adopted plans, including the 
Puget Sound Regional Council's (PSRC) VISION 2040 and Transportation 
2040, as well as related county and city comprehensive plans.
     The need to link downtown Tacoma with other City growth 
centers. City Comprehensive Plan policies specify the city's intention 
to locate major residential and employment growth in Mixed Use and 
Manufacturing/Industrial Centers. Extending the Tacoma Link to these 
centers would encourage denser, more transit-oriented development and 
further concentrate higher-wage manufacturing and industrial jobs, and 
reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled as commute trips.
     The need to serve increasing commute trips to the downtown 
core via transit. Tacoma's downtown core contains a majority of the 
jobs within the city today and is projected to continue to do so in the 
future. Increasing numbers of commuters will

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need alternative ways to access jobs within the downtown core.
     The need to support the land use planning goals of 
Tacoma's South Downtown Subarea Plan, the MLK Subarea Plan and the 
other Growth and Employment centers. Several current City planning 
processes are designed to encourage transit-oriented, mixed-use 
development and economic revitalization in areas of Tacoma that are 
designated for future regional growth concentrations.
     The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the 
City of Tacoma. The City of Tacoma Climate Action Plan calls for 
substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation 
causes 53% of Tacoma greenhouse gas emissions. A Tacoma Link extension 
would support City plans to increase the use of all public 
transportation modes.
     The need to support economic development in downtown 
Tacoma. The Downtown Tacoma Economic Development Strategy lists the 
existing Tacoma Link as a key asset that establishes downtown's 
identity and may help encourage future development and investment. One 
of the City of Tacoma's primary goals for economic development is to 
stimulate investor interest in downtown. The expansion of Tacoma Link 
presents an opportunity to achieve the City's economic development 
goals.
     The following goals and objectives, which are a part of 
Sound Transit's Regional Transit Long-Range Plan (2005) and its long-
range vision for regional transit:
     [cir] Ensure long-term mobility, connectivity and convenience;
     [cir] Preserve communities and open space;
     [cir] Contribute to the region's economic vitality;
     [cir] Preserve the environment; and
     [cir] Strengthen communities' use of the regional transit network.

Potential Alternatives

    Sound Transit will explore alternative mode, alignment, and design 
configurations for an expansion of the Tacoma Link light rail system. 
At least one alternative analyzed will be a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) 
alternative. Sound Transit conducted a ``pre-alternatives analysis'' 
and issued a report in September 2011. The pre-alternatives analysis 
evaluated eight potential corridors for the expansion of Tacoma Link. 
Six of the corridors were proposed by a stakeholder group, which 
included diverse representation of Tacoma and the region. Sound Transit 
included two additional corridors for assessment in the pre-
alternatives analysis to address the potential corridors for Tacoma 
Link expansion contemplated in Sound Transit's Regional Transit Long-
Range Plan (2005). Sound Transit invites comments on the alternative 
transit modes, alignments, and station locations to be studied, and on 
proposed evaluation measures to be used to compare alternatives. 
Alternatives already identified for consideration include:
     North End--Extends north from Theater District to Stadium 
District; west to University of Puget Sound.
     North End Central--Extends north from Theater District to 
Stadium District; west via Division Ave./6th St. to Alder/Cedar St.
     North Downtown Central--Extends north from Theater 
District to Stadium District; west to north end of MLK district and 
south to S. 19th St.
     South Downtown to MLK--Extends from Union Station west to 
S. 19th St., north through MLK district to Division St.
     South Downtown Central--Extends from Union Station west to 
S. 19th St., continues west to Tacoma Community College.
     South End--Extends from 25th Street Station south to 34th 
& Pacific District to S. 38th St., west to Tacoma Mall.
     Eastside--Extends east from Tacoma Dome, south towards 
Salishan to 72nd St. Transit Center.
     Pacific Highway--Extends east from Tacoma Dome to the 
Puyallup Tribe's commercial center on Pacific Highway South at Fife.
    Sound Transit may also consider other alternatives that arise 
during the public comment period.
    The definition of these alternatives for analysis will reflect a 
range of high and low cost capital improvements, including non-guideway 
options which can serve as a ``baseline'' for measuring the merits of 
more expensive investments. Sound Transit will identify measures for 
evaluating the relative merits of alternatives, and technical 
methodologies for generating the information used to support such 
measures. These measures will typically include disciplines such as 
travel forecasting, capital and operations and maintenance costs, and 
corridor-level environmental and land use analyses. Sound Transit will 
also develop and assess the costs, benefits, and impacts of each 
alternative and analyze funding strategies.
    At the end of the alternatives analysis process, Sound Transit and 
the FTA anticipate identifying a preferred mode and corridor for 
further evaluation in a NEPA environmental document (the classification 
of which is to be determined). If the preferred mode and corridor 
involve the potential for significant environmental impacts requiring 
an EIS, a Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS will be published in the 
Federal Register, and public and agency comment on the scope of the EIS 
will be invited and considered at that time.

    Issued on: August 9, 2012.
Richard Krochalis,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-20220 Filed 8-16-12; 8:45 am]
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