 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Construction & Mitigation Plans
Status of Project Commitments and Mitigation Plans
The Rail Runner project will provide benefits to
regional and local mobility, traffic congestion, air quality, and
other local conditions. However, construction of the railway and
operation of trains will also result in some adverse impacts. The
NMDOT and MRCOG have included several measures in the project to
prevent or minimize adverse impacts to neighborhoods and the
environment. Some of the mitigation plans include:
Prairie Dogs
Prairie dog colonies have been avoided to the extent
practical. About 130 prairie dogs were relocated last summer. An
additional relocation effort is being planned for the colony near
the tracks at Zia Road. The capture and relocation of animals will
take place in early April.
Tree Replacement
A tree replacement plan is being developed. The plan
will identify the location, type, and size of trees to be planted.
Meetings to obtain neighborhood input will be held in February.
Cultural Resources
Information has been collected and recorded for the
location where the railway crosses Camino Real and for the historic
bridges in Santa Fe. Interpretive signs are being developed and will
be placed on trains and at stations.
Wetlands
Design plans for a new wetland are being developed.
The wetland will be constructed this summer.
Water Use
Most of the water used for construction has come
from City of Santa Fe effluent sources and surface water. Use of
drinking water has been minimal.
24-hour Toll Free Number
A hotline for questions, complaints, and project
information is now available. The number is 1-877-245-RAIL (7245).
Noise Monitoring
The construction of quiet zone crossings at
intersections in Santa Fe will begin this spring. Noise monitoring
has been underway since last fall with data collected at 10
locations. Additional data will be collected this spring and summer.
To reduce nighttime noise, a temporary prohibition of engine brake
use was implemented in the construction zones along I-25.
Background Information Alternatives Analysis
In 2005, the Mid Region Council of Governments and the New Mexico
Department of Transportation conducted a major study that looked at
transportation options for travel between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
This study revealed few options for relieving projected congestion
in the I-25 corridor over the next 20 years. The Albuquerque-Santa
Fe Alternatives Analysis, was conducted by URS Greiner, Inc.
After researching alternatives such as adding more lanes to
Interstate-25, bus service, and the use of existing railroad track,
the Alternatives Analysis identified commuter rail (using both
existing and new railroad tracks) as the “locally preferred
alternative” for the transportation connection between Albuquerque
and Santa Fe. This report was completed prior to the update listed
above and provides more background information and technical
analysis conducted on the larger issue of transportation connections
between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Completed in August of 2008, this report summarizes
the environmental assessment (EA) prepared for the proposed
construction and operation of commuter rail service between the Town
of Bernalillo and City of Santa Fe. The purpose of the analysis was
to identify impacts that would result from the proposed project as
well as the impacts of not doing anything, i.e., the
no-action alternative. The analysis also served to identify the need
for measures to mitigate impacts and to address any known and
foreseeable public and agency concerns. The impact analysis focused
on issues of probable importance and those that require
formal consultation with resource management agencies. Issues
unlikely to have significant impacts were not evaluated in detail.
Based on field reconnaissance and public input, issues and
resources that could be affected by the proposed project include:
•
Impacts to roads, traffic flow, and driver safety
•
Neighborhood and community impacts including environmental justice
•
Land use plans and policies
•
Pedestrian and bicycle trails
•
Noise
•
Wildlife and wildlife habitat and threatened and endangered species
•
Floodplains and wetlands
•
Cultural resources
Link to Current
Environmental Assessment
for the Albuquerque to Santa Fe Commuter Rail Extension
View the Environmental Assessment (28MB PDF)
View the Appendices (27MB PDF)
|
|
|
||
