 |
|
What's NewThe next phase of planning for a potential major transit improvement in the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) Corridor is well underway. This phase is officially called the “Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Project Development Phase.” The following summarizes what’s new with this work effort, including publication of the newsletter and the schedule for the latest round of public informational meetings. Record of Public Comments for the February 2007 Public Information Meetings AvailableThe public reaction to the study findings and preliminary recommendations presented at the February 2007 public informational meetings has been published and documents the record of public comments resulting from the public informational meetings as well as related materials. To view or download these materials, please visit the Public Involvement page of this website. Latest NewsletterThe newest edition of the project newsletter highlights the differences between commuter rail and bus transit alternatives, and outlines the reasons for recommending the advancement of commuter rail toward implementation. To view or download this newsletter, click on this link Public Informational MeetingsThree public information meeting open houses were recently held throughout the KRM corridor to present information, answer questions, and get feedback concerning the planning for this project. The dates, times, and locations of the meetings are given below. The meetings were conducted in an “open house” format to provide visitors an opportunity to look at display materials, to meet one-on-one or in small groups with project staff to ask questions, and provide input and feedback. A short presentation was given at 6 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Monday, February 5, 2007 Wednesday, February 7, 2007 Thursday, February 8, 2007 Public Hearings for the Draft Environmental Impact StatementA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this project is being prepared. When the DEIS document is completed, it will be published and made available for public comment including on this website. There will be a public comment period as specified by Federal regulations, and pubic hearings will be held. When the schedule for the public hearings had been determined, it will be advertised and posted on this website. Previous WorkScoping Meetings CompletedIn early 2006, the initial series of public informational “scoping” meetings for this phase of the KRM project was held. Over two hundred people attended the scoping meetings and more sought information on-line to learn about alternatives proposed for the KRM Commuter Link. The purpose of the meetings was to obtain community input on the range of alternatives proposed for study, associated impacts, and opportunities for public involvement. By the March 24, 2006 deadline for initial scoping comments, more than 150 comments were received for consideration and inclusion in the project’s scoping report. A summary of the scoping meetings including the comments and other input received are included in the final version of the scoping report and its appendix. To view or download the full report and/or appendix, click on the following links: Public feedback provided an important influence in the screening evaluation of the alternatives. Of course, other factors that will be taken into consideration for each alternative under review will include cost, environmental impact, potential for land use development and redevelopment, and improved mobility for users. While the initial scoping meetings have been completed, other opportunities for public involvement will occur as the project proceeds. Alternatives Screened by Steering CommitteeAt its April 5th, 2006 meeting, the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) Steering Committee determined to advance the No-Build, Transportation Systems Management (TSM), and Commuter Rail alternatives for further evaluation. Consideration of these alternatives will continue as part of the Alternatives Analysis work including the production of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). This decision removes the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alternative from further consideration. The transit alternatives advanced for further study include:
It will be from among these three remaining alternatives, No-Build, TSM, and Commuter Rail, that a Locally-Preferred Alternative (LPA) will be selected by the KRM Steering Committee later this year. Additional public meetings will be held to obtain input. The LPA and project financial plan, including local and state funding and financing elements, would serve as the foundation for an application to the FTA for discretionary capital funding in 2007 to permit the project to proceed into the next phase of project development which would be Preliminary Engineering. The transit alternative removed from further study is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). This alternative would include the development and operation of a high-capacity and capital-intensive commuter bus service between Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee that would directly connect with, be coordinated with, the existing Kenosha-Chicago Metra service. BRT would operate in exclusive or semi-exclusive lanes and include on-line stations like rail systems so that a level of service comparable to commuter rail could be offered. The BRT alternative would include all TSM improvements, operate on exclusive or semi-exclusive busway segments, include on-line stations like rail systems, and have compatible floor heights for fast boarding at stations. To view or download a map of this alternative, click on this link: Although Bus Rapid Transit is used in a limited number of applications throughout North America, its application within the KRM corridor would be severely hampered by limitations in available right-of-way, necessitating extensive property acquisition and the attendant and substantial environmental and neighborhood impacts. On streets where bus lanes would be added, parking would need to be eliminated and barriers would separate the exclusive bus lanes from the other remaining lanes. In addition, Bus Rapid Transit has yet to prove itself comparable to fixed guideway transit modes such as commuter rail in terms of land development and redevelopment potential despite similar capital cost. This decision by the KRM Steering Committee to effectively screen-out the BRT alternative from further consideration is being reviewed with both the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Bureau of Equity and Environmental Services of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. |
|