Action
Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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 Eugene 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 Eugene BRT Corridor has been identified as the next priority corridor to pursue in Eugene. The BRT project proposes to implement a major high capacity transit improvement in the North Eugene 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.