King of Prussia Rail Extension Project An Extension of the Norristown High Speed Rail Line Combined Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision

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by  The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

King of Prussia Rail Extension Project
An Extension of the Norristown High Speed Rail Line
January 2021
Combined Final
Environmental Impact
Statement/Record
of Decision
U.S.Department of Transportation
FederalTransit Administration
King of Prussia Rail Extension Project
An Extension of the Norristown High Speed Rail Line
January 2021
Final Environmental
Impact Statement
U.S.Department of Transportation
FederalTransit Administration

Abstract January 2021
A
bstract
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as the lead Federal agency, in cooperation with
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) as the local Project sponsor,
have prepared this combined Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision
(combined FEIS/ROD) and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation for the King of Prussia Rail Extension
Project (Project) in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, and Upper Darby Township,
Delaware County, Pennsylvania. This combined FEIS/ROD was prepared in accordance with
regulations developed by the Council on Environmental Quality for the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and the FTA’s Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (23 CFR Parts
771 and 774). The combined FEIS/ROD complies with 23 U.S.C. § 139(n)(2) as amended by
the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114-94).
The Project will extend existing Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) service to the King of
Prussia-Valley Forge area of Upper Merion Township, a distance of approximately 3.5 miles.
The FEIS evaluates the environmental, transportation, social, and economic benefits and
impacts of the Project, including the Preferred Alternative and the No Action Alternative.
Comments
The DEIS was made available to the public on October 17, 2017 for a public review and
comment period that ended on December 4, 2017. The DEIS identified a locally recommended
alternative and environmentally preferable alternative as the PECO/TP-1st Ave. Two public
hearings were conducted during the DEIS public comment period on November 13, 2017 and
November 15, 2017. The DEIS was also made available at three local libraries, and online at
www.kingofprussiarail.com. Following the DEIS comment period, the SEPTA Board of Directors
adopted the PECO/TP-1st Ave. alternative as the Preferred Alternative with refinements made in
response to public and agency comments. The FEIS includes a summary of comments received
on the DEIS, and FTA’s and SEPTA’s responses to substantive comments.
For further information concerning this combined FEIS/ROD, contact the following individuals:
FTA Contact SEPTA Agency Contact
Timothy Lidiak Ryan T. Judge
Community Planner Manager, Strategic Planning
Federal Transit Administration SEPTA, 9th Floor
1835 Market Street, Suite 1910 1234 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103 Philadelphia, PA 19107

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Table of Contents January 2021

Table of Contents

E
xecutive Summary ................................................................................................................ 1-1
Purpose of the Final Environmental Impact Statement ................................................. 1-1
Project Purpose and Need ........................................................................ 1-1
Alternatives Development and Selection of the Preferred Alternative .......................... 2-3
Descriptions of the Preferred and No Action Alternatives .......................... 2-5
Effectiveness in Achieving the Purpose and Need .................................... 2-7
Transportation and Safety Effects ............................................................. 2-9
Impacts to the Natural and Human Environment ..................................... 2-14
Public Involvement and Outreach ........................................................... 2-16
Project Costs and Funding ...................................................................... 2-17
Balancing Benefits and Impacts .................................................................................. 3-18 

C
hapter 1 Purpose and Need ............................................................................................. 1-1
1.1 Purpose of the Project ................................................................................................. 1-1
1.2 Context ........................................................................................................................ 1-2
1.2.1 Existing Land Use ...................................................................................... 1-2
1.2.2 Planned Development and Changing Land Use ........................................ 1-5
1.2.3 Population and Employment Growth ......................................................... 1-5
1.2.4 Existing Rail Transportation ....................................................................... 1-6
1.2.5 Existing Bus Transportation ....................................................................... 1-7
1.2.6 Commuter Shuttle Service ....................................................................... 1-12
1.2.7 Transit Service Markets ........................................................................... 1-12
1.2.8 Roadways ................................................................................................ 1-13
1.3 Project History ........................................................................................................... 1-14
1.4 Need for the Project ................................................................................................... 1-16
1.4.1 Need for Faster, More Reliable Public Transit Service to the King of ............
Prussia Area ........................................................................................... 1-16
1.4.2 Need for Improved Transit Connections to and within the King of .................
Prussia/Valley Forge Area ...................................................................... 1-17
1.4.3 Need to Better Serve Existing Transit Patrons and Accommodate ................
New Patrons ........................................................................................... 1-18

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C
hapter 2 Alternatives Considered ...................................................................................... 2-1 
2.1 Summary of the Planning and DEIS Processes .......................................................... 2-1
2.2 Refinements to the Recommended LPA After the DEIS ............................................. 2-5
2.3 Alternatives Considered .............................................................................................. 2-7
2.3.1 No Action Alternative ................................................................................. 2-9
2.3.2 Preferred Alternative ................................................................................ 2-10
2.4 Evaluation of the FEIS Alternatives ........................................................................... 2-46
2.4.1 Effectiveness in Achieving the Purpose and Need .................................. 2-46
2.4.2 Environmental Benefits and Impacts ....................................................... 2-48

C
hapter 3 Transportation Effects .......................................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Public Transportation ................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.1 Methodology .............................................................................................. 3-1
3.1.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................ 3-2
3.1.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................... 3-8
3.2 Roadways .................................................................................................................. 3-17
3.2.1 Methodology ............................................................................................ 3-17
3.2.2 Affected Environment .............................................................................. 3-18
3.2.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 3-20
3.3 Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities ............................................................................... 3-30
3.3.1 Methodology ............................................................................................ 3-30
3.3.2 Affected Environment .............................................................................. 3-31
3.3.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 3-31
3.4 Public Parking Facilities ............................................................................................. 3-32
3.4.1 Methodology ............................................................................................ 3-32
3.4.2 Affected Environment .............................................................................. 3-33
3.4.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 3-33
3.5 Railroad Facilities and Operations ............................................................................. 3-33
3.5.1 Methodology ............................................................................................ 3-33
3.5.2 Affected Environment .............................................................................. 3-33
3.5.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 3-34
3.6 Safety, Security and Emergency Services ................................................................ 3-34
3.6.1 Methodology ............................................................................................ 3-34
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3.6.2 Affected Environment .............................................................................. 3-34
3.6.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 3-35 

Chapter 4 Affected Environment and Potential Consequences ......................................... 4-1 
Study Areas ........................................................................................................ 4-2
Land Use Patterns and Consistency with Plans ................................................. 4-2
4.2.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology .......................................................... 4-3
4.2.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................... 4-4
4.2.3 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................... 4-8
Economic Development .................................................................................... 4-14
4.3.1 Regulatory Setting and Methodology ......................................................... 4-14
4.3.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................. 4-15
4.3.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................... 4-16
Community Cohesion and Facilities .................................................................. 4-18
4.4.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ........................................................ 4-18
4.4.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................. 4-19
4.4.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................... 4-22
Property Acquisitions and Displacements ......................................................... 4-24
4.5.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ........................................................ 4-24
4.5.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................. 4-25
4.5.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................... 4-25
Parks, Recreational Land, and Open Space ..................................................... 4-32
4.6.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ........................................................ 4-32
4.6.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................. 4-32
4.6.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................... 4-33
Historic and Archaeological Resources ............................................................ 4-35
4.7.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ........................................................ 4-35
4.7.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................. 4-39
4.7.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................... 4-41
Visual and Aesthetic Resources ....................................................................... 4-43
4.8.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ........................................................ 4-43
4.8.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................. 4-44
4.8.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................... 4-47
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Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases .................................................................. 4-52
4.9.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ........................................................ 4-52
4.9.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................. 4-55
4.9.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................... 4-56
Noise and Vibration ........................................................................................ 4-58
4.10.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ...................................................... 4-58
4.10.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................... 4-63
4.10.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 4-65
Natural Resources .......................................................................................... 4-80
4.11.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ...................................................... 4-80
4.11.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................... 4-82
4.11.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 4-88
Contaminated Materials and Hazardous Waste.............................................. 4-93
4.12.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ...................................................... 4-93
4.12.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................... 4-94
4.12.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 4-95
Utilities and Energy Use ................................................................................. 4-97
4.13.1 Regulatory Context and Methodology ...................................................... 4-97
4.13.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................... 4-98
4.13.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 4-98
Environmental Justice ................................................................................... 4-101
4.14.1 Regulatory Context ................................................................................. 4-101
4.14.2 Identifying Potential EJ Populations ....................................................... 4-102
4.14.3 Standards for Evaluating Effects ............................................................ 4-103
4.14.4 Affected Environment ............................................................................. 4-103
4.14.5 Public Involvement ................................................................................. 4-105
4.14.6 Environmental Consequences ............................................................... 4-109
4.14.7 Potential for Disproportionately High and Adverse Effects on EJ Populations
4-125
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources .............................. 4-126
4.15.1 No Action Alternative .............................................................................. 4-126
4.15.2 Preferred Alternative .............................................................................. 4-126
Indirect and Cumulative Effects .................................................................... 4-127
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4.16.1 Resources of Interest ............................................................................. 4-128
4.16.2 Geographic Study Areas ........................................................................ 4-128
4.16.3 Temporal Boundaries ............................................................................. 4-131
4.16.4 Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Projects ................ 4-131
4.16.5 Indirect Effects Assessment ................................................................... 4-134
4.16.6 Cumulative Effects Assessment ............................................................. 4-136
Environmental Permits .................................................................................. 4-141
Summary of FEIS Findings and SEPTA Commitments ................................ 4-141

C
hapter 5 Public Outreach, Agency Coordination, and Responses to Public ......................
Comments on the DEIS ..................................................................................... 5-1 
5.1 Public Outreach ........................................................................................................... 5-1
5.1.1 Approach ................................................................................................... 5-2
5.1.2 Public Outreach Communication Methods ................................................. 5-2
5.1.3 Summary of Public Outreach Activities ...................................................... 5-3
5.2 Agency Coordination ................................................................................................. 5-33
5.2.1 Approach ................................................................................................. 5-33
5.2.2 Summary of Agency Coordination Activities ............................................ 5-34
5.2.3 Summary of Key Agency Themes and SEPTA Actions ........................... 5-38
5.2.4 Notice of Availability ................................................................................ 5-38
5.2.5 Agency Coordination After the DEIS ....................................................... 5-45
5.3 Role of Input in Selection of the Preferred Alternative ............................................... 5-45
5.4 Responses to DEIS Comments ................................................................................. 5-46
5.4.1 Overview .................................................................................................. 5-46
5.4.2 Master Responses to DEIS Comments ................................................... 5-49
5.5 Role of Input During the FEIS .................................................................................... 5-81
5.6 Next Steps ................................................................................................................. 5-81

C
hapter 6 Cost and Financial Analysis ................................................................................. 6-1
6.1 Capital Cost ................................................................................................................. 6-1
6.1.1 Capital Cost Estimate ................................................................................ 6-1
6.2 Operating and Maintenance Costs (O&M) .................................................................. 6-3
6.2.1 Operating and Maintenance (O&M) Cost Estimate .................................... 6-3
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6.2.2 Proposed O&M Funding Sources .............................................................. 6-3
6.3 Next Steps ................................................................................................................... 6-4

Executive Summary List of Tables
Table ES-2.3-1: Summary of Effects of Preferred Alternative ................................................. 3-19 
Table ES-2.3-2: Summary of Commitments and Mitigation for the Preferred Alternative ........ 3-23 

Chapter 1 List of Tables
Table 1.2-1: NHSL 2018 Average Weekday Ridership .............................................................. 1-8 
Table 1.2-2: Summary of Bus Service Levels and Operations ................................................ 1-10

Chapter 2 List of Tables
Table 2.3-1: Transportation Study Area Major Regional Committed (Funded) Projects ................
by 2040 .................................................................................................................. 2-9 
Table 2.3-2: Preferred Alternative Refinements from Recommended LPA ............................. 2-11 
Table 2.3-3: Quick Guide to the Guideway .............................................................................. 2-13 
Table 2.3-4: Key Guideway Design & Operating Criteria ......................................................... 2-14 
Table 2.3-5: Quick Guide to Stations ....................................................................................... 2-22 
Table 2.3-6: Key Station Design Criteria .................................................................................. 2-24 
Table 2.3-7: Quick Guide to Supporting Facilities .................................................................... 2-33 
Table 2.3-8: Number of Project Trains per Hour by NHSL Segment ....................................... 2-36 
Table 2-3.9: Typical Construction Activities ............................................................................. 2-42

Chapter 3 List of Tables
Table 3.1-1: Public Transit Services in the NHSL Service Area ................................................ 3-3 
Table 3.1-2: NHSL Average Weekday Ridership, 2010-2019 ................................................... 3-5 
Table 3.1-3: 2040 Trips on the Project (Average Weekday Passenger Trips) ........................... 3-9 
Table 3.1-4: 2040 Project Station Boardings ............................................................................. 3-9 
Table 3.1-5: Existing and Future (with Preferred Alternative) Peak Period Transit ........................
Travel Times ........................................................................................................ 3-11 
King of Prussia Rail Extension Project – FEIS TOC-6