The public comment period on the
Draft environmenal impact statement/einvironmental impact report
(EIS/EIR) was extended with all comments due on December 23, 2011.
PUBLIC HEARING
The public hearing took place on November 30.
INTRODUCTION
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR), available for public comment through December 23, 2011, compares BRT alternatives to conditions without BRT and documents how the BRT alternatives would affect a range of issues:
Transit travel times and delays
Regional and local tripmaking
Pedestrian safety
Traffic diversions and traffic delays
On-street parking
Noise
Energy consumption
Greenhouse gas emissions
Historic resources
Trees and landscaping
Construction
Affordability and funding
Operations and maintenance costs
Golden Gate Transit operations
The three BRT build alternatives and one design variation analyzed for environmental review all include:
Dedicated bus lanes, helping reduce transit travel time by 32%.
Transit signal priority, giving buses more green lights and helping increase transit reliability by up to 50%.
Faster, level boarding through all doors to reduce transit delays by more than 40%.
These benefits are estimated to contribute to a 35% increase in transit ridership along the corridor.
BRT build alternatives also include full replacement of the existing overhead contact system support pole/streetlight network between Mission and North Point streets.
Depending on the alternative, the cost is between $115 and 120M (in 2014 dollars), of which up to $75M will come from Federal Small Starts and up to $45M from Prop K and other local sources. (The Federal Transit Administration has given Van Ness BRT a "high" rating for cost-effectiveness—one of only two projects in the nation to receive this designation.)
HOW TO OBTAIN THE EIS/EIR
Due to the large size of the complete document, you have the option of downloading it in its entirety or by chapter below. Hard copies are available for review at SFCTA (100 Van Ness Ave.), the SFMTA (1 S. Van Ness Ave.), the SF Planning Department (1660 Mission St.), the SF Main Library (100 Larkin St.), the Golden Gate Valley Branch Library (1651 Union St.), and the Marina Branch Library (1890 Chestnut St. at Webster St.). You can also call us at 415.593.1655 to request an electronic copy, email a request to
, or write to us at:
Van Ness BRT EIS/EIR Attn: Michael Schwartz San Francisco County Transportation Authority 100 Van Ness Ave., 26th floor San Francisco, CA 94102
For special needs assistance or translation services, please call 415.593.1655; Para ayuda especial o servicios de traducción por favor llame al 415.593.1655; 如或需要特殊協助或翻譯服務，請電 415.593.1655.
The Draft EIS/EIR, describing the project and potential environmental impacts, was available for public review and comment for 45 days. The public comment period was extended, with all comments due December 23, 2011.
Agencies and members of the public may submit comments on the Draft EIS/EIR and project alternatives via letter or email. Mail to:
Van Ness BRT EIS/EIR Attn: Mr. Michael Schwartz San Francisco County Transportation Authority 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th floor San Francisco, CA 94102
Comments may also be given electronically during the webinar (see Public Outreach below).
PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
Build Alternative 1: Future-year conditions without BRT (“No Build”)
Conversion of rightmost traffic lane in both directions to bus-only lanes
Cars allowed to cross bus lane for curb parking or to turn right
Sidewalks widened at transit station locations (bus bulbs)
The Van Ness Avenue BRT Draft EIS/EIR analyzed three BRT alternative configurations and one design variation. In early 2012 we will identify a locally preferred alternative (LPA), based on the technical analysis and public and agency input. The LPA is the BRT configuration that we will recommend for construction. The Transportation Authority and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency boards will consider adoption of the LPA in spring 2012. Contact us to join the list for notifications about these future milestones. Chapter 11 of the Draft EIS/EIR outlines the alternatives' performance on a number of indicators and further outlines the process for selecting an LPA.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
See our Outreach page for detailed information. Buildings used for the public hearings are accessible to persons with disabilities. Any individual who requires special accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, accessible seating, or documentation in alternative formats, is requested to email
or call 415.593.1655.
The public hearing was held on November 30, 2011.
A webinar was held on December 5, 2011.
The next meeting of the Van Ness Avenue BRT Citizens Advisory Board, open to the public, will be held on Tuesday, November 15, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the SFCTA offices, 100 Van Ness Ave., 26th floor (Agenda).
There are several currently scheduled community presentations about the Van Ness Ave. BRT Project and the EIS/EIR. Details on our Outreach page. To schedule a presentation for your community organization, email Michael Schwartz.
