Cover Sheet and Abstract (130KB PDF File)
Abstract: This Draft Environmental Impact Statement describes the transportation and environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Northwest Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line to Irving and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFWIA) in Dallas County, Texas. A No-Build Alternative is defined and analyzed to provide the base against which the Build (LRT) Alternative can be compared. The potential impacts of the Build and No-Build Alternatives are identified in a broad range of environmental categories including: land use, transportation, air quality, noise, vibration, visual and aesthetic, ecosystems, hazardous materials, cultural resources, archeological resources, historic resources, parklands, safety and security, and neighborhoods.
The proposed undertaking consists of a 9.3-mile light rail transit project from its junction with the DART LRT Line to Farmers Branch and Carrollton in Dallas, to near Belt Line Road and Valley View Lane in Irving. The project will provide connections to major activity centers, employment centers, community resources, and other regional transit services provided by DART. The proposed action (Build Alternative) would increase mobility in the congested corridor, and provide an alternative to the single occupant vehicle. Additionally, the proposed action (Build Alternative) would provide dependable service to employment opportunities and increase investment within the corridor.
Two alternatives are being considered in this EIS, a No-Build Alternative and an LRT Alternative. The No-Build Alternative includes transportation and transit projects that have a reasonable expectation of funding and are programmed for implementation. The No-Build Alternative is used as a basis for determining the potential environmental impacts that would be associated with the proposed LRT Alternative. The proposed action, referred to throughout this Draft EIS as the LRT Alternative, is a 9.3-mile light rail transit project derived from the MIS LPIS, and subsequently modified. Both alternatives are described in detail in Chapter 2 of the Draft EIS.
Comments: This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Northwest Corridor LRT Line to Irving/DFW has been prepared in accordance with regulations developed by the Council on Environmental Quality for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as well as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 1050.1E, CHG 1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, and FAA Order 5050.4B, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be available to the public for a 45-day review and comment period from January 25, 2008 to March 11, 2008. A public hearing will be conducted during the review and comment period at the following location:
- University of Dallas, Haggar University Center
- Thursday, February 28, 2008
- Open House at 6:00PM, Presentation begins at 6:30PM
- 1845 E. Northgate Drive
- Irving, Texas 75062
| FTA Regional Contact Ms. Lynn Hayes Community Planner Federal Transit Administration Region 6 819 Taylor Street, Room 8A36 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 |
FAA Regional Contact Mr. Kelvin L. Solco Manager, Southwest Region Airports Division Federal Aviation Administration 2601 Meacham Boulevard Fort Worth, TX 76137-4298 |
Local Agency Contact Mr. John Hoppie Project Manager Dallas Area Rapid Transit P.O. Box 660163 Dallas, TX 75266-0163 |
Comments on this document may be made orally at the public hearing or submitted in writing to Mr. Hoppie at the above address. Additional information on the public hearing and the DEIS process may be obtained by contacting Carlos Huerta, DART Community Affairs Officer, at (214) 749-2721.
