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Project Updates
5-7-2010 Draft Environmental Assessment Now Available
After two years of engineering, design, environmental, and public involvement efforts,
the draft Environmental Assessment for VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) on Fredericksburg Road Corridor is now ready for public review.
The draft EA evaluates the transportation benefits and environmental effects, as
well as the social and financial implications of building the BRT vs. not building
it. The draft EA concludes that would be no significant negative environmental or
socioeconomic impacts associated with the proposed BRT.
VIA prepared the draft EA document in conjunction with the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) and it is available for public comment from May 10 – June 10, 2010. You can
view the document online or visit one of many locations listed below to view
the document:
City of San Antonio, Second Floor Office of the City Clerk
100 Military Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205
Balcones Heights City Hall, Administration Office
3300 Hillcrest Dr., Balcones Heights, Texas 78201
Texas Department of Transportation
4615 N.W. Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78229
Bexar County Courthouse
Recording Office/Vital Statistics
100 Dolorosa Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205
San Antonio Public Library – Central Library
600 Soledad, San Antonio, Texas 78205
San Antonio Public Library – Westfall Branch
6111 Rosedale Court, San Antonio, Texas 78201
San Antonio Public Library – San Pedro Branch
1315 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212
San Antonio Public Library – Bazan Branch
2200 W. Commerce, San Antonio, Texas 78207
VIA Metro Center – First Floor Security Desk
1021 San Pedro, San Antonio, Texas 78212
VIA Administration Bldg. – First Floor Security Desk
800 W. Myrtle, San Antonio, Texas 78212
In addition, three public meetings will be held during the comment period
to allow the local community to learn more about the draft EA and to comment on
it. Once public input has been received, VIA will respond to this feedback in the
final EA that will be submitted to the FTA later this summer. The FTA will make
a final environmental clearance decision on the BRT at that time.
6/29/09 - VIA Preparing Draft Environmental Analysis
VIA held a series of public meetings in early May to receive comments on the layouts
of the proposed Westside Multimodal Transit Center and South Texas Medical Center
Transit Center as well as the locations of the proposed BRT stations. Meeting attendees
were also asked to comment on the BRT system's running alternatives which include
no build, dedicated BRT curbside lanes and dedicated BRT center lanes. VIA has also
been working with and receiving comments from the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT), the City of Balcones Heights and the City of San Antonio on the same alternatives
shown to the public.
Having considered all of this input, and reviewing the study data, VIA's project
consultants are in the process of drafting a thorough environmental document for
this project, which is an analysis of, but not limited to the following: socioeconomic
and environmental justice, noise, potential contamination, cultural resources, and
natural resources. This draft Environmental Analysis (EA) is scheduled to be presented
to the VIA Board of Trustees in late July and will be sent to the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and TxDOT. If this
process goes as scheduled, the public will be able to review and comment on the
draft EA beginning late August through September.
4/22/09 - VIA Announces Workshops on BRT Stations and Transit Centers
The project consultants (LAN and URS) have worked with federal, state, and local
stakeholders; analyzed traffic data and models; conducted additional environmental
investigations; and have made significant progress on BRT station and transit layout
plans. Potential station locations have been identified (see map) and prototype
station design is underway. Once again, it’s time for additional comment from the
public. VIA will begin this process by holding meetings for potentially affected
property owners (those whose property is near or adjacent to proposed BRT stations)
in late April. These meetings will be used to discuss any issues associated with
the locations of the proposed stations and the adjacent properties.
Beginning the week of May 4, VIA will hold a series of
five public workshops to
explain and receive comments on the following BRT options:
- No build (without BRT)
- Curb (bus-only or mixed traffic lane next to curb) or center (bus-only lane in center of roadway) running and associated eight BRT station
- Two proposed transit centers
These workshops will consist of an open house to allow you to review exhibits
and ask questions of project team members, a short presentation, and breakout
sessions to receive your comments on individual stations and/or transit centers’
site layouts. Each workshop will cover a different group of stations or one of
the transit centers.
1/28/09 - Work on BRT Resumes
The VIA Board of Trustees voted on January 27, 2009 to resume work on the BRT project.
A press conference was held the following day to notify the public that the 90-day
delay had been lifted. New VIA Board Chair Henry R. Munoz addressed attendees at
the conference. City of San Antonio District 7 Councilman Justin Rodriguez and Balcones
Heights Mayor Suzanne DeLeon also took part in the announcement. A work session
will be held with the VIA Board of Trustees and VIA staff to determine next steps
for the BRT project.
BRT Delayed for 90 Days
On October 28, 2008 the VIA Board of Trustees voted to delay work on the Fredericksburg
Road BRT project for 90 days to allow time for reports to be prepared by the City/County
Transportation Task Force. Project updates will resume after the 90-day delay has
expired.
8/6/08 - BRT Update
On Monday July 28th at the Woodlawn Theatre and Tuesday July 30th at Norris Center
at Crossroads Mall, VIA held three meetings kicking-off the first phase of public
involvement for the Environmental Assessment . The meetings were a great success,
averaging about 100 citizens at each. Citizens had the opportunity to express their
comments verbally or in writing.
5/27/08 - VIA Board opts for hybrid propulsion
On 5/27/08 the VIA Board authorized VIA staff to move forward with the purchase of 60-foot
BRT vehicles with hybrid propulsion systems using clean diesel and electric power. This significant decision was made after
extensive discussion regarding the pros and cons of using traditional diesel powered
BRT vehicles versus hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles typically cost more to purchase
and maintain, but offer better fuel economy, produce fewer pollutants, and are a quieter
vehicle. VIA will now prepare for the competitive procurement process.
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