This page contains a list of questions and answers regarding both the Northeast Corridor Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the NEPA Process as it relates to this project.

A list of frequently asked questions is also available for the Indy Connect initiative, click here.

Can’t find an answer to your question? Click here to pose a question for the project team.

Project FAQs
Due to high levels of demand and rapid growth, mobility in and around the Northeast Corridor has been the subject of transportation studies and public dialogue over a period of several years. The following “Frequently Asked Questions” provide a brief description of current project development activities and addresses key project issues identified in past studies and discussions.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STUDY ACTIVITY?
The current study activity is the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS or Draft EIS) and the conclusion of an Alternatives Analysis, or AA. The DEIS will provide a detailed description of the preferred alternative and identify environmental, social, and economic impacts and benefits of the project and the proposed mitigation measures. The AA will provide the details of why an alternative is selected for advancement through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding process. Completion and approval of both documents are required if federal funds are to be used for any stage of project development.

HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES BEEN DONE BEFORE FOR THIS CORRIDOR?
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement was completed in 2001 as part of the ConNECTions Study that addressed both highway and transit needs in the Northeast Corridor. Highway options were advanced to the next step which is the completion of a Final Environmental Impact Statement. Further consideration of transit options was deferred pending broader regional system studies and more detailed corridor alternative studies. These studies are now complete. They will form the basis for preparation of a more focused and detailed Draft Environmental Impact Statement during 2010/2011.

HAS AN ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED?
A preliminary Alternatives Analysis was completed and was the subject of a focused set of community meetings in 2008, culminating in a vote by the Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council Policy Committee to advance options in the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, or HHPA, rail corridor. That recommendation will narrow the alternatives to be evaluated and finalized as a part of this project.

DOES THIS MEAN A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE NORTHEAST?
No. Prior studies, including those conducted for the corridor in 2008 and the region during 2009, allow alternatives to be narrowed for this Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement and provide the opportunity for a more informed discussion in a larger context. A final decision regarding whether and how to go forward will not be made until more detailed information is available from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the public and agencies have had a full opportunity to comment on the proposals. Click here for a list of upcoming events.

WHO IS CONDUCTING THE AA/DEIS AND HOW IS IT FUNDED?
The Northeast Corridor Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement is being administered by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, and managed by the Central Indiana Regional Transit Authority in conjunction with the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, also known as IndyGo. A combination of federal funding sources are being used to help pay for this study, which is being administered by the Federal Transit Administration and Indiana Department of Transportation. This study is being conducted as a component of the larger initiative for transportation in the Central Indiana region known as Indy Connect.

HAS AN ALIGNMENT BEEN SELECTED?
Based on the findings of earlier studies, most recently the Preliminary Alternatives Analysis of 2008 and associated public comment at that time, all build alternatives considered in this Draft Environmental Impact Statement will utilize the former Nickel Plate Rail Line for a majority of the route in the AA/DEIS. This rail right-of-way is managed by the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, or HHPA, and is currently used for the State Fair Train and other excursions. It is anticipated that the segment south of 10th Street in Indianapolis will follow CSX right-of-way. For the purposes of this project, the study corridor will extend from Union Station in downtown Indianapolis to the White River in downtown Noblesville. Preliminary screening activities that have led to this conclusion will be documented for final public and agency review in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

HAS A TRANSIT VEHICLE BEEN SELECTED?
A final decision on the type of transit vehicle has not been made. The Metropolitan Planning Organization’s governing body, the Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council Policy Committee, voted in favor of diesel multiple unit, or DMU, technology for long-term use, with diesel commuter rail as a start-up system. In the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, both of these vehicle types will be considered for initial and long-term use, along with bus rapid transit technology and branded buses. Based on prior screening, it is anticipated that other more costly vehicle types will be eliminated at the beginning of the study. The screening will be documented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Click here for more information on the various modes of transit being considered for this project.

HOW MANY STATIONS WILL THERE BE AND WHERE?
It is too early to provide specific answers. Past studies have varied in showing as few as five initial stations and as many as 19 station locations. The number and type of stations will depend on the type of vehicle used, level of ridership and local conditions. A significant element of this study will be to make decisions on where and how many stations there will be. The public will have a significant opportunity to participate in these decisions. Click here to see a list of upcoming events.

WILL THE PROJECT REQUIRE THE ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL PROPERTY?
Property acquisition will be required for station area, park and ride lots and maintenance/storage facilities. The need to acquire additional right-of-way for the transit line itself will depend on the alternative selected. A single rail line with sidings (parallel tracks for passing) could be installed in the current right-of-way. A double rail line or a busway would require additional property along the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority railroad corridor at various locations.

WHAT DETERMINES WHETHER A RAIL ALTERNATIVE REQUIRES SINGLE OR DOUBLE TRACK?
A double-track rail line provides more flexibility for operation. A commuter rail line could operate on single track if the headway, which is the amount of time between trains, is long enough. With its more frequent service, light rail service would require a double track. One option would be to begin with commuter rail operation on a single track and upgrade later to double track operation. If this approach is used, it may be advisable to acquire the property and plan for a double line from the beginning.

HOW MANY RIDERS ARE FORECASTED TO USE THE TRANSIT LINE?
Previous ridership forecasts have generally ranged from 5,000 to 20,000 riders per day, depending on the alternative. Work is currently underway to update and improve the regional travel demand model maintained by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization. Current estimates of ridership for the alternatives included in this study will be available in mid- to late-2010.

HOW WILL THE PROJECT BE PAID FOR?
The project is being conducted to meet the requirements of the Federal Transit Administration, or FTA, in anticipation of using federal funds for 50% to 80% of the capital cost. Additional funding will be needed for the local match and to operate the system. A local funding plan will be required to advance the project with the FTA. This will be a major topic of discussion as this project moves forward. Click here to see a list of upcoming events.

WHO WILL OPERATE THE TRANSIT SYSTEM?
It has not yet been determined who will operate the transit system. This question is currently being reviewed by a special task force established for this purpose. As with the funding plan, a “governance” plan must be in place to move the project forward when the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is complete. The operation of the system will be a topic of discussion throughout this project. Click here to see a list of upcoming events.

ARE LOCAL BUS IMPROVEMENTS BEING REVIEWED AS PART OF THE PROJECT?
Adjustments to local bus routes are necessary to “feed” the transit system and the need for bus improvements will be an integral part of the analysis of the alternatives being studied. This will provide the opportunity to provide enhanced cross town service at the same time the downtown service is improved in the Northeast Corridor. A study is currently underway to review the full IndyGo system and identify improvements needed during the next 15 years. The process and findings of the IndyGo study will be closely coordinated with this project.

WHY DOES THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR HAVE FIRST PRIORITY FOR AN AA/DEIS?
The Northeast Corridor is likely to draw the highest ridership and provide the greatest benefit of any corridor. It is the corridor most likely to qualify for federal funding. Land along the Northeast Corridor is the most developed in the region, and for many years it has been the fastest growing area. It experiences the most traffic congestion and unlike most other corridors, it has indirect interstate highway access to and from downtown.

WHY NOT SERVE THE AIRPORT FIRST?
There are significant physical and service challenges for serving the airport. While one existing rail line touches the northeast corner of the airport’s property and another passes to the south, both are far from the passenger terminal and either route would have to pass under or around existing runways, taxiways and aprons. In any case, airport service requirements are not well suited to commuter rail. The all-day, frequent service requirements of airports are best served by light rail or bus. Only the most expensive of rail systems could match the speed of a bus operating on the existing road network from downtown. Lastly, ridership would be less than that projected for the Northeast Corridor.

WHO DECIDES WHICH ALTERNATIVE TO SELECT?
The Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council, or IRTC, will vote on a preferred alternative when environmental studies are complete and a formal public hearing has been held. The IRTC is the governing body of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, with representatives of 38 units of government in Central Indiana. Since the project is a federal action, the National Environmental Policy Act requires that the Federal Transit Administration endorse the Environmental Impact Statement and the preferred alternative.

HOW DO I STAY INFORMED OF THE PROJECT AND HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
There will be many opportunities to learn of the project and participate in the dialogue. Watch for public meetings in your area. Learn of these meetings and monitor the progress of the project through the Indy Connect website. Follow Indy Connect on Facebook, Twitter, or RSS Feed by clicking on one of the icons at the top of the page.

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NEPA Process FAQs
The following is a list of frequently asked questions related to the NEPA Process as it relates to this project.

WHO IS THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM?
The Project Management Team, or PMT, consists of the Indiana Department of Transportation, Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority, and the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, also known as IndyGo.

WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE FOR THIS PROJECT?
The objective for this project is to define and evaluate the Northeast Corridor transit options according to the requirements of the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts Funding Program and the National Environmental Policy Act.

WHERE DOES THE STUDY AREA BEGIN AND END?
The study area extends from downtown Indianapolis to downtown Noblesville. The actual location for the end of the line will be dictated by the findings of this project; however, it is important to study a greater area than may otherwise be needed.

WHO MAKES THE DECISIONS AND WHAT IS THE APPROVAL PROCESS?
Based on study results and public input, the Locally Preferred Alternative would be affirmed by the Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council Policy Committee, or IRTC. The IRTC is the governing body of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, with representatives of 38 units of government in Central Indiana. In accordance with federal funding requirements, the Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement will also be subject to formal approval by the Federal Transit Administration and Indiana Department of Transportation.

WHAT IS THE PROJECT TIMELINE?
The ultimate timeline for the project will be determined by a number of factors, including outputs of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization’s travel demand modeling, related studies being conducted as part of the Indy Connect initiative, and interim findings of this project. It is anticipated that the Alternatives Analysis Report will be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration in early 2011 and that the Environmental Impact Statement will be completed later that year. The goal is to be part of the Federal Transit Administration’s 2012 New Starts Program.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE ADDRESSED?
A number of policy and technical areas will be addressed in the Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Key issues to be addressed include the following:

• Alignment – It is anticipated that prior studies will provide sufficient information to justify the use of the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority (HHPA) railroad corridor, formerly the Nickel Plate railroad. Choices remain regarding details such as single or double tracks and sidings (parallel tracks for passing).
• Vehicle Technology – It is anticipated that commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, low cost conventional bus improvements, and “no-build” technologies, or transit modes, will be evaluated in this study.
• Stations – A determination will be made regarding how many stations will be provided (initial opening in 2035) and their location will be identified. This will relate closely to technology decisions and public input.
• Impacts/Mitigation – A wide range of social, economic and environmental impacts will be defined. Where these impacts are negative, mitigation measures will be identified to the extent feasible.
• Ridership – Based on alignment, technology and station locations, refined ridership estimates will be prepared by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization using an updated and refined regional travel demand model.
• Economic Development – Consistent with local priorities and emerging changes to Federal Transit Administration New Starts guidelines, economic development opportunities will receive increased attention in this study.
• Implementation – Cost estimates will be updated and refined, management plans for the system will be defined, and a detailed schedule through construction will be developed.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO GET INVOLVED?
There will be many opportunities for public involvement throughout the project, which began with a series of meetings held in concert with the Indy Connect initiative during the months of February and March 2010. Formal public scoping meetings were held on March 17 and March 24, 2010. Project team members have met, and will continue to meet with various community groups and organizations throughout the remainder of this process. Click here to see a list of upcoming events.

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