Medina to SR 202: Eastside Transit and HOV Project - Environmental Assessment

We have issued a Finding of No Significant Impact. The summary of comments is now available.

SR 520 is a busy regional corridor that connects key Eastside communities, including Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond.

The Medina to SR 202: Eastside Transit and HOV Project will respond to the needs of the growing Eastside by enhancing transit and HOV travel time and reliability, improving safety, and supporting current and planned growth east of Lake Washington. 

May 21, 2010 — Finding of No Significant Impact

Based on the environmental assessment and public comment period, the Federal Highway Administration determined that Eastside SR 520 project improvements would not result in significant adverse effects on the environment.

Our findings are described in the finding of no significant impact (FONSI), issued on May 21, 2010. The FONSI includes our final environmental determination and is a critical step to keep the project moving forward.

• Finding of No Significant Impact
• Attachment 1: Errata to environmental assessment
• Attachment 2: Notices
• Attachment 3: FONSI Distribution List
• Attachment 4: Mitigation Commitment List
• Attachment 5: Comments and Responses
• Attachment 6: Agency Correspondence

Updated Environmental Assessment

• Cover and Table of Contents
• Chapter 1 - Summary
• Chapter 2 - Need for the Project
• Chapter 3 - Public Outreach and Tribal and Agency Coordination
• Chapter 4 - Description of the Proposed Project
• Chapter 5 - Effects of the Project
• Chapter 6 - Measures to Avoid, Minimize, or Mitigate Effects
• Chapter 7 - List of Preparers
• Chapter 8 - References
• Appendix A - Glossary
• Appendix B - Agency and Tribal Correspondence
• Appendix D - Regulatory Framework
• Noise Technical Memorandum 
  
  The following exhibits from the Noise Technical Memorandum were updated in July 2010. These updates are clerical and do not affect the conclusions published in the FONSI.
• Exhibit 15: Noise modeling locations and levels in Hunts Point north of SR 520
• Exhibit 16: Noise modeling locations and levels in Medina south of SR 520
• Exhibit 17: Noise modeling locations and levels in Hunts Point, Clyde Hill, Yarrow Point, and Kirkland north of SR 520
• Exhibit 18: Noise modeling locations and levels in Hunts Point, Clyde Hill, Yarrow Point, and Kirkland south of SR 520
• Exhibit 35: Noise wall performance summary for Hunts Point, Clyde Hill, Yarrow Point, and Bellevue south of SR 520

Dec. 3, 2009 — Environmental Assessment

What is an environmental assessment?

An environmental assessment is a document that provides information to the public about the project’s environmental effects. The Eastside Transit and HOV Project Environmental Assessment compares two alternatives: the Build Alternative and the No Build Alternative.

The assessment fulfills WSDOT’s obligation under the National Environmental Policy Act and State Environmental Policy Act to disclose project effects and mitigation.

Why is the environmental assessment important to me?

The environmental assessment presents an important opportunity for the public to formally comment on the Eastside project's effects and have their comments tracked, published and addressed by the project team in the final environmental decision document.

Environmental Assessment - Executive Summary (pdf 1.6 mb)

Environmental Assessment - Full Document

Cover and Table of Contents (pdf 1.5 mb)
Chapter 1 - Summary (pdf 831 kb)
Chapter 2 - Need for the Project (pdf 359 kb)
Chapter 3 - Public Outreach and Tribal and Agency Coordination (pdf 634 kb)
Chapter 4 - Description of the Proposed Project (pdf 2.2 mb)
Chapter 5 - Effects of the Project (pdf 173 kb)
    - Chapter 5.1 - Cultural Resources (pdf 2.1 mb)
    - Chapter 5.2 - Ecosystems (pdf 1.4 kb)
    - Chapter 5.3 - Energy (pdf 366 kb)
    - Chapter 5.4 - Land Use, Economics and Relocations (pdf 3.1 mb)
    - Chapter 5.5 - Noise (pdf 939 kb)
    - Chapter 5.6 - Social Elements (pdf 1.7 mb)
    - Chapter 5.7 - Transportation (pdf 1.9 mb)
    - Chapter 5.8 - Visual Quality (pdf 825 kb)
    - Chapter 5.9 - Water Resources (pdf 881 kb)
    - Chapter 5.10 - Section 4(f) Resources (pdf 1.3 mb)
    - Chapter 5.11 - Indirect and Cumulative Effects (pdf 328 kb)
Chapter 6 - Measures to Avoid, Minimize, or Mitigate Effects (pdf 496 kb)
Chapter 7 - List of Preparers (pdf 378 kb)
Chapter 8 - References (pdf 473 kb)

Appendices and Addenda



A	Glossary (pdf 358 kb)
B	Agency and Tribal Correspondence (pdf 4.7 mb)
C	Draft Programmatic Agreement (pdf 1.5 mb)
D	Regulatory Framework (pdf 947 kb)
E	Agency Coordination and Public Involvement Discipline Report (pdf 1.6 mb)
F	Description of Alternatives and Construction Techniques (pdf 3.0 mb)
G	Air Quality Technical Memorandum (pdf 1.8 mb)
H	Environmental Justice Technical Memorandum (pdf 2.3 mb)
I	Geology and Soils Technical Memorandum (pdf 2.6 mb)
J	Hazardous Materials Technical Memorandum (pdf 2.9 mb)
K	Cultural Resources Technical Memorandum - Volume 1 (pdf 4.0 mb) - Volume 1 Attachment 1 (pdf 2.7 mb) - Volume 1 Attachment 2 (Part 1) (pdf 4.7 mb) - Volume 1 Attachment 2 (Part 2) (pdf 4.7 mb) - Volume 1 Attachment 2 (Part 3) (pdf 4.1 mb) - Volume 1 Attachment 2 (Part 4) (pdf 4.7 mb) - Volume 1 Attachment 2 (Part 5) (pdf 4.4 mb) - Volume 1 Attachment 2 (Part 6) (pdf 4.3 mb) - Volume 2 (pdf 2.0 mb) - Volume 2 Appendix A (pdf 6.9 mb) - Volume 2 Appendix B (Part 1) (pdf 4.1 mb) - Volume 2 Appendix B (Part 2) (pdf 5.1 mb) - Volume 2 Appendix B (Part 3) (pdf 4.3 mb) - Volume 2 Appendix B (Part 4) (pdf 4.0 mb) - Volume 2 Appendix C contains confidential archaeological information and is withheld per RCW 42.56.300 - Volume 2 Appendix D (pdf 1.9 mb)
L	Ecosystems Discipline Report (pdf 4.1 mb)
M	Energy Technical Memorandum (pdf 645 kb)
N	Land Use, Economics, and Relocation Technical Memorandum (pdf 4.6 mb)
O	Noise Technical Memorandum (pdf 9.7 mb)
P	Social Elements Technical Memorandum (pdf 1.5 mb)
Q	Transportation Discipline Report - Chapters 1-4 (pdf 1.5 mb) - Chapter 5 (pdf 1.5 mb) - Chapter 6 (pdf 1.5 mb) - Chapter 7 (pdf 1.5 mb) - Chapter 8 (pdf 1.5 mb) - Chapters 9-10 (pdf 1.5 mb) - Chapters 11-12 (pdf 1.5 mb)
R	Visual Quality and Aesthetics Technical Memorandum (pdf 2.5 mb)
S	Water Resources Discipline Report (pdf 3.3 mb)
T	Section 4(f) Resources Technical Memorandum (pdf 1.3 mb)
U	Indirect and Cumulative Effects Technical Memorandum (pdf 3.0 mb)

Note: Updated PDF files for the environmental assessment were added on Dec. 4, 2009. These updated files correct an error found in some graphics in the previous online and CD versions.


List of public libraries where the environmental assessment is available:

Bellevue Community College Library Media Center
King County Library System - Bellevue Regional Library
King County Library System - Kingsgate Library
King County Library System - Kirkland Library
King County Library System - Lake Hills Library
King County Library System - Newport Way Library
King County Library System - Redmond Regional Library
Lake Washington Technical College, Technical Library
North Seattle Community College Library
Seattle Central Community College, Library
Seattle Public Library - Central Branch
Seattle Public Library - International District/Chinatown Branch
Seattle Public Library - Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch
Seattle Public Library - Montlake Branch
Seattle Public Library - North East Branch
Seattle Public Library - University Branch
Sound Transit Library and Information Center
University of Washington - Suzzallo and Allen Libraries
University of Washington - Department of Engineering Library
University of Washington - Architecture and Urban Planning
Washington State Library