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Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Engineering
After the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) completed their corridor analysis
in 2005, VIA conducted a feasibility study to determine the preferred location for
the BRT in 2007. VIA is now proceeding with the Environmental Assessment (EA) and
Preliminary Engineering (PE) process for the project. URS Corporation is conducting the
EA and PE process under contract to VIA.
Before a BRT project can move forward to construction, a thorough investigation
of all potential environmental issues must be conducted and an environmental clearance
must be received from the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration.
VIA will follow the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the EA,
which includes a considerable amount of public input. The project team has started
data collection, preparation of a constraints map and are verifying any fatal
flaws in the current BRT concept. Some of the key elements in the environmental
document will be an analysis of socioeconomic and environmental justice, noise, potential
contamination, cultural resources, and natural resources. When this work is finished,
the project team will prepare a draft and a final EA, for consideration by the
FTA and FHWA.
VIA is partnering with the City of San Antonio, the City of Balcones Heights and
the Texas Department of Transportation on this project, and these organizations,
plus many other civic, local, state, and federal agencies/organizations, will provide
input on issues and ideas during this phase of the project.
During the EA and PE process, the project team will collect and analyze data,
and other reports so that they can make decisions about station design and locations,
transit center design and operational issues.
The project team will look at each intersection, make recommendations, and work
with the City of San Antonio so that they can incorporate it into
their Fredericksburg Road congestion management project.
Public Involvement
Public outreach and involvement is a key element in the BRT environmental assessment
and preliminary engineering effort. Obtaining input from all stakeholder groups,
ranging from residents who live in or near the corridor to small business owners
to major employers, is important to VIA in determining how BRT can best provide
value to the community.
For this reason, you’ll be hearing a lot from VIA about this project. Various small
and large public meetings are planned, including many that are targeted at specific
neighborhoods or interest groups. VIA has already completed the first round of public
meetings related to the BRT project. The next cycle of
public meetings will be held during the first
week of May to gather feedback from residents, business owners, and other stakeholders along the
corridor
The BRT on the Fredericksburg Road Corridor project is currently undergoing design
and environmental review. This project would not proceed without federal and state
agency approval.
EA / PE Resources
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