[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44512-44513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22257]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Environmental Impact Statement on the Phase 1A Extension of Tren 
Urbano

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration and the Puerto Rico Highway 
and Transportation Authority intend to prepare a Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for transportation improvements in the 
city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of the Tren Urbano rail rapid 
transit project in the San Juan metropolitan area. The SEIS is intended 
to be a supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) 
for the Tren Urbano, San Juan Metropolitan Area, issued in November 
1995.
    The SEIS for the Phase 1A project covers the extension of the 
original line past its currently approved eastern terminus at Segrado 
Corazon station to a new terminus at Minillas, a distance of 
approximately 1,500 meters. In addition to the No Action Alternative, 
two remaining ``Build'' alternatives for the extension will be 
considered, designated as Alternatives A and B. Each includes an 
underground station at Minillas and a station between Segrado Corazon 
and Minillas. The intermediate station in Alternative A is located on 
an aerial structure, while in Alternative B the intermediate station is 
underground.

DATES: Written comments on the scope of alternatives to be considered 
and impacts to be studied should be sent to the Puerto Rico Highway and 
Transportation Authority's Tren Urbano Project Office by October 6, 
1997. See ADDRESSES below.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the project scope should be sent to 
Carlos A. Colon, Deputy Executive Director, Puerto Rico Highway and 
Transportation Authority, P.O. Box 42007, San Juan, PR 00940-2007, FAX 
(787) 722-1321.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan E. Schruth, Regional 
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Region IV, (404) 562-
3500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Study Area and Project Need

    The Tren Urbano project now under construction will provide rail 
transit facilities along a 17.2-km route connecting the areas of 
Bayamon, Guaynabo, Rio Piedras, Hato Rey and Santurce in the San Juan 
metropolitan area. The double-tracked transit line will include 
segments at grade, on aerial structures and in a subway, depending on 
right-of-way and physical and urban factors. The Phase 1A extension of 
the line will bring rail transit facilities further into the Santurce 
residential, business and government district by connecting the 
Minillas area to the rest of the Tren Urbano system.

Alternatives

    The No Action alternative, which includes the committed Tren Urbano 
line already under construction, will serve as the baseline for the 
evaluation of the ``Build'' alternatives below, and any additional 
alternatives generated through public comments or other sources. 
Several alignments were considered for the expansion before the final 
two were selected for formal analysis in the Draft SEIS. The 
alternatives eliminated were dropped due to their adverse consequences 
on estimated project costs, their contribution to excessive urban 
disruption or design and engineering difficulties. The remaining two 
``Build'' options proposed for further analysis have been designated 
Alternative A and Alternative B. They each encompass a route extension 
of approximately 1,500 meters and include an underground station in the 
Minillas area, although in differing configurations. Each alternative 
also includes an intermediate station between the current terminal 
station at Sagrado Corazon and the proposed Minillas station.

Alternative A: Elevated Alignment along PR-1 and PR-22

    This alternative would extend the elevated structure west from the 
end of the tail tracks at Sagrado Corazon station along the north 
service road of PR-1 from Segrado Corazon Street to the interchange of 
PR-1 and PR-22. The alignment would cross over the roadway of PR-22 
turning to the north to be parallel with PR-22 on the west side of the 
roadway. The elevated guideway would descend into a depressed cut south 
of Fernandez Juncos Avenue and continue in an open cut to an

[[Page 44513]]

underground station south of Ponce de Leon Avenue. Tail tracks would 
extend underground parallel to PR-22 north, beyond Ponce de Leon to 
approximately Latimer Street. In addition to the center platform 
station at Ponce de Leon, an intermediate stop would be built along PR-
1 at Los Angeles Street. This station would be elevated and have side 
platforms.

Alternative B: Underground Alignment along Ponce de Leon Avenue

    This alternative is the currently approved alignment by the Puerto 
Rico Planning Board, and has been in the Plan Vial for the San Juan 
Metropolitan Region since the Board and the Governor approved it in 
1982. Under this alternative, the extension of Tren Urbano would be via 
an underground alignment beneath Ponce de Leon Avenue. Similar to the 
previous alternative, two stations would be constructed. As part of 
this alternative, both stations would be underground. The alignment 
would extend west from the Sagrado Corazon station along the north 
marginal road of PR-1 until west of Pedro de Castro Street. At this 
point, the alignment would curve northwest and descend to a tunnel 
portal south of Fernandez Juncos Avenue. The Minillas station would be 
located immediately west of PR-22 under Ponce de Leon and have a center 
platform. The tail tracks would extend to a point west of Dos Hermanos 
Street. An intermediate center platform station would be located at or 
near the corner of Fidalgo Diaz Avenue.

    Issued On: August 18, 1997.
Susan E. Schruth,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-22257 Filed 8-20-97; 8:45 am]
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