Metro Transit
Expansion Project

Final Environmental Impact Statement

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as lead Federal agency, and the Niagara Frontier Transit Metro System, Inc. (Metro), as local project sponsor and joint lead agency have prepared this Combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), Final Section 4(f) Evaluation, and Record of Decision (ROD) for the Buffalo-Amherst-Tonawanda Corridor Transit Expansion (the Project). Metro currently operates a 6.4-mile light rail transit line called Metro Rail that provides service along Main Street in Buffalo, New York, from Downtown Buffalo to the State University of New York, University at Buffalo (UB) South Campus. The Project would expand the present service to include high-quality transit service from the current terminus at the Metro Rail University Station to existing and emerging activity centers in Amherst and Tonawanda.

Pursuant to 49 USC 24201 and 23 USC 139(n)(2), FTA is issuing a single document that consists of the FEIS and ROD. One of the primary purposes of this combined FEIS/ROD is to respond to substantive comments received during the public and agency review and comment period. Responses are in the form of factual corrections or clarifications and are presented as errata-style edits in tabular format. These errata sheets document the changes made to the DEIS that are now reflected in the combined FEIS/ROD. The use of errata sheets and this combined FEIS/ROD comply with the requirements of 23 USC 139(n). The ROD states the decision, identifies the alternatives considered in reaching the decision, summarizes avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies and future design practices appropriate for this EIS, and states the next steps in the environmental review process that may occur with subsequent phases of the Project.

  1. Abstract
  2. Record of Decision
  3. Chapter 1 Introduction
  4. Chapter 2 Errata Table of DEIS Revisions
  5. Chapter 3 Supplementary Analysis
  6. Chapter 4 Section 4(f) Evaluation

Appendices

  1. Abstract
  2. Executive Summary
  3. Chapter 1 Purpose and Need
  4. Chapter 2 Alternatives Considered
  5. Chapter 3 Transportation
  6. Chapter 4 Environmental Considerations
    1. 4.1 Property Acquisitions and Displacements
    2. 4.2 Land Use
    3. 4.3 Socioeconomic Conditions
    4. 4.4 Neighborhoods and Communities
    5. 4.5 Visual Quality
    6. 4.6 Historic and Cultural Resources
    7. 4.7 Parklands and Recreational Resources
    8. 4.8 Geology, Soils, and Prime Farmlands
    9. 4.9 General Ecology and Wildlife
    10. 4.10 Water Resources
    11. 4.11 Noise
    12. 4.12 Vibration
    13. 4.13 Air Quality
    14. 4.14 Energy
    15. 4.15 Hazardous Materials
    16. 4.16 Utilities
    17. 4.17 Construction Effects
    18. 4.18 Indirect and Cumulative Effects
    19. 4.19 Commitment of Resources
  7. Chapter 5 Section 4(f)
  8. Chapter 6 Comparison of Alternatives
  9. DEIS Appendices
    1. A1 Project Purpose and Need
    2. A2 Alternatives Considered
    3. B1 Alternatives Considered Supplemental Information
    4. B2 Conceptual Design Plans
    5. C1 Transportation Technical Report
    6. C2 Travel Demand Forecasting
    7. C3 Access Modification Report
    8. D1 Potential Property Acquisitions Supplemental Information
    9. D2 Land Use Supplemental Information
    10. D3 Socioeconomic Conditions Supplemental Information
    11. D4 Neighborhoods and Communities Supplemental Information
    12. D5 Visual Impact Assessment
    13. D6 Parklands and Recreational Resources Supplemental Information
    14. D7 Noise and Vibration Supplemental Information
    15. D8 Air Quality Supplemental Information
    16. D9 Energy Supplemental Information
    17. D10 Construction Effects Supplemental Information
    18. D11 Indirect and Cumulative Effects Supplemental Information
    19. E1 Hazardous Materials Supplemental Information
    20. E2 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
    21. E3 Phase I Memo and Detailed Table Review
    22. F1 Historic and Cultural Resources Supplemental Information
    23. F2 Historic Resources Report
    24. F3 Historic Effects Assessment
    25. F4 Phase 1A
    26. F5 Archaeological Testing Work Plan
    27. F6 Supplemental Background Research
    28. F7 Section 106 Documentation
    29. G1 Detailed Geology, Soils, and Prime Farmlands Supplemental Information
    30. G2 Geotechnical Recommendations Report
    31. G3 Geotechnical Data Report
    32. H General Ecology and Wildlife Supplemental Information
    33. I1 Water Resources Supplemental Information
    34. I2 Wetland Determination Report
    35. I3 Stormwater Treatment Documentation
    36. I4 Hydraulics Analysis
    37. J1 Public Outreach and Coordination Report
    38. J2 Listening Sessions and Survey
    39. K Section 4(f) Evaluation Supplemental Information

Appendix B1 Archeological Resources Phase IB Report

Appendix B2 Section 106 Documentation

Appendix B3 General Ecology and Wildlife Supplemental Information

Appendix C Summary of Comments and Responses

Appendix C1 Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Appendix D Final Section 4(f) Evaluation

List of Preparers

Letter of Intent between NFTA and University at Buffalo

Project Sponsors