Mission Bay Transit Loop Environmental Assessment

Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment for the Mission Bay Transit Loop Project
San Francisco, California

NOTICE ISSUED: May 10, 2013

UNITES STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

Pursuant to Section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 codified in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter V, Parts 1500–1508, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Mission Bay Transit Loop (Mission Bay Loop or the Loop). The FTA is the federal lead agency pursuant to NEPA and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is the project sponsor.

The proposed Mission Bay Loop was designed in 1998 as part of the Third Street Light Rail Project, completed in 2003. Due to budget constraints, construction of the Mission Bay Loop was deferred. An Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for Third Street Light Rail Project was completed and approved in 1999 by the FTA and the City and County of San Francisco. Because approximately 14 years have passed since the EIS/EIR for Third Street Light Rail Project was completed, the FTA has prepared an EA to identify and evaluate any conditions that might have changed after 1999 that could potentially result in adverse environmental effects from construction and operation of the Mission Bay Loop. 

The Loop would provide turn-around capabilities for the T-Third Street light rail line via a connection of trackway from Third Street to Eighteenth, Illinois, and Nineteenth Streets.  The Mission Bay Loop would also provide a means to turn trains for special events and during peak periods to accommodate additional service needed between Mission Bay and the Market Street Muni Metro.  The proposed Loop would be constructed in the Central Waterfront area of the City and County of San Francisco, on city roads and right-of-ways on the block of Eighteenth, Illinois, and Nineteenth Streets.The existing trackway on Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets between Third and Illinois Streets would be extended to Illinois Street to complete the Loop. Traffic, pedestrian, and train signals would be installed at the intersections of Eighteenth and Illinois Streets and Nineteenth and Illinois Streets.

You are invited and encouraged to review and comment on the EA. The EA is available for viewing at the following locations: 

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, 1 South Van Ness Ave, 7th Floor,San Francisco, California 94103 

San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, 94102, (415) 557-4400

An electronic version can be viewed or downloaded athttp://www.sfmta.com/cms/mproj/MissionBayLoop.htm

Any comments should be filed within 30 days from the date of this notice. Comments may be submitted electronically to (darton.ito@sfmta.com). Comments may also be mailed to 

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency  1 South Van Ness Ave, 7th Floor San Francisco, California 94103

All comments must be received by June 10, 2013.

For further information, contact Darton Ito (darton.ito@sfmta.com) 415.701.4330