ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (AA/EA) DOCUMENT
The I-270/US 15 Multi-Modal project involves evaluating several combinations of transit and highway strategies to address congestion, improve safety, and increase mobility along the I-270/US 15 Corridor from the Shady Grove Metrorail Station (Montgomery County) to north of Biggs Ford Road (Frederick County). This project includes the Corridor Cities Transitway project from the Shady Grove Metrorail Station to COMSAT facility just south of Clarksburg.
The purpose of the AA/EA document is to evaluate the Express Toll Lane (ETL) alternatives, Alternatives 6A/B and 7A/B, to the same level of environmental review as the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) alternatives. This evaluation also updates information that has changed since the DEIS was issued in 2002 and further assess and rates the proposed transit alternatives. The AA/EA document serves as a companion to the DEIS.
The purpose of an AA document is to evaluate the costs and benefits of a range of transportation alternatives designed to address a specific transportation purpose and need for a specific transportation corridor. The information presented is intended to support decision-making on a preferred investment strategy to take into more detailed study and development. This document compares the relative costs and benefits of Alternative 6.2: Transit TSM (premium bus operating on local roads and I-270) with Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) paired with the highway improvements included in Alternatives 6A/B and 7A/B. LRT is represented by the "A" in each alternative (6A and 7A) and BRT is represented by the "B" (6B and 7B).
Summary results from the AA/EA document can be found in the following tables:
- Transportation Impacts on Level of Service in 2030
- Summary of Impacts of All Build Alternatives
- Summary of Impacts of the Potential O&M Sites
- Regional and County Population and Households, 2000 to 2030
- Summary of Natural Resources Impacts
- Summary of Natural Resources Impacts of the O&M Facilities
- Summary of Capital Cost Estimates by Alternative
- Annual O&M Costs by Transit Alternatives
- Cost-Effectiveness
AA/EA DOCUMENT
- Cover
- Signature Page
- Introduction
- Executive Summary
- Table of Contents
- Acronyms
- Chapter I: Purpose and Need
- Chapter II: Alternatives Considered
- Chapter III: Transportation Facilities, Services and Mobility Impacts
- Chapter IV: Environmental Resources & Consequences
- Chapter V: Transit Costs and Funding
- Chapter VI: Evaluation of Alternatives
- Chapter VII: Comments and Coordination
APPENDICES
- Appendices Divider
- Appendix A: Plan Sheets
- Highway: 1 of 15
- Highway: 2 of 15
- Highway: 3 of 15
- Highway: 4 of 15
- Highway: 5 of 15
- Highway: 6 of 15
- Highway: 7 of 15
- Highway: 8 of 15
- Highway: 9 of 15
- Highway: 10 of 15
- Highway: 11 of 15
- Highway: 12 of 15
- Highway: 13 of 15
- Highway: 14 of 15
- Highway: 15 of 15
- MD 75 Extended
- TRAN: 1 of 6
- TRAN: 2 of 6
- TRAN: 3 of 6
- TRAN: 4 of 6
- TRAN: 5 of 6
- TRAN: 6 of 6
- Appendix B:Summary of the Relocation Assistance Program of the Maryland State Highway Administration
- Appendix C: Farmland Conversion Coordination
- Appendix D: Coordination Letters
- Appendix E: References
- Appendix F: Contributors
TECHNICAL REPORTS
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- Air Quality
- CCT Capital Cost Methodology
- CCT Detailed Definition of Alternatives
- CCT Operating and Maintenance Cost Estimate
- Indirect and Cumulative Effects
- Natural Environmental
- Noise and Vibration
- Operations and Maintenance Facilities
- Preliminary Screening Assessment Report: HAZMAT
- Project Correspondence
- Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation
- Socio-Economic/Land Use
- Travel Demand