Action
Notice of intent to conduct a Major Investment Study and prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as Federal lead agency, and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), as local lead agency, in conjunction with the Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority (BARTA) intend to conduct a Major Investment Study (MIS) and prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on a proposed investment strategy to improve mobility in the Schuylkill Valley Corridor (Corridor). The Corridor is approximately 62 miles long and varies from one half to two miles in width from the City of Philadelphia to the City of Reading and the Borough of Wyomissing in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Among the alternatives that the MIS/DEIS will evaluate are: (1) No Build Alternative. This alternative involves no change to transportation services or facilities in the Corridor beyond already committed projects. (2) Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative. This alternative would optimize existing transportation facilities with low-cost investments to meet the travel demand expected over the next 20 years. Components of this alternative that will be investigated include selected highway capacity enhancements and express bus service. (3) Commuter Rail Alternative. This alternative would utilize existing rail rights-of-way from Philadelphia to Reading and share trackage with freight rail operations. (4) Light Rail Alternative. This alternative would require dedicated trackage and utilize existing rights-of-way for most of its length. Street running of light rail vehicles through selected portions of Philadelphia may be necessary. Other alternatives or revisions to the above alternatives generated through the scoping process will also be considered. Scoping will be accomplished through correspondence with interested persons, organizations, and Federal, State, and local agencies, and three public meetings.