FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of the South Sacramento Corridor Project?
What is the purpose of the environmental study?
Will the public have input into the extension alignment and station locations?
How is the issue of safety and security being addressed?
Why has Cosumnes River College been selected as the terminus station?
Why has a large parking structure been proposed instead of more surface parking lots?
Where will the stations be located?
When will the light rail system be extended into the City of Elk Grove?
Will there be any impact to existing bus service in the area?
How will RT mitigate any environmental impacts, such as visual or noise related impacts?
What is the projected construction start date and construction duration?

• What is the purpose of the South Sacramento Corridor Project?
  In 1989, RT conducted a Systems Planning Study to explore the potential for future light rail extensions within the greater Sacramento Metropolitan Area. It addressed the need for public transportation improvements by assessing travel patterns and needs, and identified alternatives that required further study.
  
  RT’s vision for expansion of its light rail system is part of its 20-Year Transit Master Plan, adopted in October 1993. The first step has been to implement a 10-year Rail Development Plan, which includes a new light rail corridor in the South Sacramento area. RT worked with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to complete a study of the South Sacramento Corridor. The first phase of this study (downtown Sacramento to Meadowview Road) has been completed and is operating. The second phase calls for extending the light rail system from Meadowview to Cosumnes River College to accommodate growth in the area and to alleviate traffic congestion.

• What is the purpose of the environmental study?
  Federal and state laws require a formal review of projects that may affect the environment. For this project - because other environmental studies have been conducted previously - federal law requires preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and state law require preparation of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR). The environmental studies evaluate impacts associated with project alternatives as well as possible mitigation measures.

• Will the public have input into the extension alignment and station locations?
  Although the locally preferred alternative has already been identified in earlier study phases, the public still has an opportunity to comment on the South Sacramento Corridor Phase 2 Project. All comments received on the Supplemental Draft EIS/Subsequent Draft EIR (SDEIS/SDEIR) will be considered in the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement/Subsequent Final Environmental Impact Report (SFEIS/SFEIR). The SDEIS/SDEIR was released in January 2007, and the last day for public comment is April 3, 2007. A Public Hearing on the SDEIS/SDEIR will be held on March 12, 2007, at the Pannell Meadowview Community Center. Ensuring public awareness of the project and receiving public comment on the proposed project is the intent of the environmental review and public outreach processes currently underway.

• How is the issue of safety and security being addressed?
  RT is committed to safety, as is Cosumnes River College, which has been selected as the terminus station. As a mitigation measure, RT security services would extend to include new light rail services. Furthermore, Cosumnes River College has its own police department and they will also be responsible for ensuring the safety of commuters at the terminal and throughout the parking structure. Technical experts have studied the proposed line, station design and grade crossings to explore safety precautions. Also, the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR) to be released for public review will address safety issues in detail.

• Why has Cosumnes River College been selected as the terminus station?
  It has been determined that ending the line at CRC is appropriate since the College is a major destination area. Thus RT has entered into an agreement with CRC to use space on their campus for the station and parking structure. RT continues to work with the College to review the possible location of the parking structure, particularly in response to the comments made at the January 3, 2007 Public Information Meeting regarding the proximity of the parking structure to the light rail platforms.

• Why has a large parking structure been proposed instead of more surface parking lots?
  In order to compete for Federal funding, terminus stations (such as the one proposed at Cosumnes River College) need to provide sufficient parking to claim ridership. A computer model generates the anticipated demand for spaces required at each of the stations. The model calculated a demand of 2,000 spaces for the College.
  
  While efforts can and will be made to encourage carpooling (and using other transit) to the station, realistically the majority of trips will still be made by single occupancy vehicles needing parking. By building an attractive vertical structure to accommodate the amount of cars required at this terminus station, this proposal is more competitive with others vying for federal dollars.
  
  Land use is a very important issue, particularly when competing for Federal assistance. A surface parking lot with acres of asphalt is not attractive and reduces the amount of transit oriented development that can take place in the station area. By building an attractive vertical structure to house the same amount of cars required at terminus stations, this proposal is more competitive.

• Where will the stations be located?
  The proposed station locations are:
  • Morrison Creek Station
  • Franklin Boulevard Station at Cosumnes River Boulevard
  • Center Parkway Station at Cosumnes River Boulevard
  • Cosumnes River College Station

• When will the light rail system be extended into the City of Elk Grove?
  Expansion to Elk Grove will be the focus of a future Phase 3 and will require additional planning reviews. A Request for Proposals has recently been issued by Elk Grove to undertake a route refinement for either light rail or bus rapid transit into Elk Gove, consistent with the Elk Grove General Plan. Please note that a future extension of transit services into Elk Grove will still need to provide parking for those patrons who chose the access the station, including the new terminal station, by automobile.
  

• Will there be any impact to existing bus service in the area?
  South Sacramento Corridor Phase 2 Project will be integrated with existing and adjusted bus service. Once the South Sacramento Corridor Phase 2 Project alignment has been approved and the environmental study concluded, RT will evaluate the need to realign bus service to meet train schedules and better accommodate ridership needs.

• How will RT mitigate any environmental impacts, such as visual or noise related impacts?
  RT is conducting this extensive environmental study to determine impacts that would result from extending the light rail system. RT is committed to minimizing any environmental issues. In fact, RT’s noise criteria are more stringent than the federal government’s. Visual and noise impacts will be a primary component of the DSEIS/SEIR when it is released for public review later this year. Public comments on noise or visual impacts should be communicated to RT during the formal public comment period.

• What is the projected construction start date and construction duration?
  Design and construction of the project will occur between 2007 and 2010.