Category of Effects*

Potential for Adverse and Disproportionate Effects

Comments

Bodily impairment, infirmity, illness, or death

None

At-grade crossing locations are currently present along the alignment. All such crossings will have appropriate safety systems for the particular build alternative selected for construction. At-grade crossings (as opposed to overpasses and underpasses) are not disproportionately located in areas of low-income or minority populations.

Contaminated materials are expected to be encountered in some areas during construction activities. Few of these areas are expected in residential areas. Sites will be identified prior to construction and approval plans will be completed so as to protect the health and safety of construction workers and nearby residents and workers. Suspect contaminated sites are not disproportionately located in areas of low-income or minority population.

Air, noise, water pollution, and soil contamination

None

The Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) will be electrically propelled so there will be no rail vehicle air emissions during operations. Increased automobile traffic at stations will not exceed standards. During construction, there may be very locally isolated air emissions from construction vehicles. These emissions are not expected to exceed guide levels and will not be disproportionately located in areas of low-income or minority population.

Severe noise impacts associated with the LPA have been identified at 24 residences, 18 of which are within Philadelphia in an area that is not disproportionately represented by low-income or minority population.

Water pollution is not anticipated as a major impact, either during construction or operation. If impacts occur, they will not be disproportionate.

Soil contamination is commented upon in the previous category. Any impacts will not be disproportionate.

Destruction or disruption of man-made or natural resources

None

The existing commuter and freight lines caused various levels of destruction and disruption of resources when they were constructed in the 19^th century. No significant disruption of resources is anticipated from the SVM project. Important wetlands (for which mitigation will be provided) are not situated in areas of low-income or minority population.

Destruction or diminution of aesthetic values

None

The SVM corridor is, with minor exceptions, active railroad line. Construction of SVM will, if anything, improve corridor aesthetics by cleaning up some areas of dumped debris. The single exception is in Upper Merion Township in a commercial/office/ manufacturing environment.

In areas where alignment widening is necessary, there may be some destruction of trees that form visual buffers.

Any negative impacts will not be disproportionate.

Destruction or disruption of community, cohesion of community’s economic vitality

None

Only three homes are projected for acquisition. The neighborhood in which they are located has a substantially lower minority population than the alignment municipalities as a whole.

There will be no closing of streets.

Only one business site is projected for acquisition and demolition. It is not located in a minority population area.

There will be no negative impacts and no disproportionate impacts to community cohesiveness or economical vitality

Destruction and disruption of the availability of public and private facilities and services

None

There will be no negative impacts.

Vibration

None

No impacts are projected to exceed FTA guidance levels.

Adverse employment affects

None

No negative impacts are anticipated. Positive impacts are projected for low-income and minority communities due to increased access to regional employment centers.

Displacement of persons, businesses, farms, or non-profit organizations

None

The three projected residential displacements are within a census tract with low minority representation. The one business to be acquired is not within a minority neighborhood. No farms or non-profit organizations will be acquired.

Increased traffic congestion, isolation, exclusion, or separation of minority or low-income individuals within a given community or from the broader community

None

There are no locations where the project is expected to significantly increase traffic congestion on a permanent basis.

During construction there may be short-term traffic congestion at roadways, at-grade crossings, underpasses, overpasses, and along several roadway segments running parallel, and immediately adjacent to the alignment. These locations are not disproportionately located in areas of low-income or minority populations.

The SVM will utilize active railroad alignment throughout its service. There will be no new embankments or at-grade construction or road closures that will isolate, exclude, or separate any individuals or communities.

Denial of, reductions, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits of DOT programs, policies, or activities

None

The SVM project is projected to provide substantial benefits to low-income and minority communities.