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Home My WebLink AboutAppendix F - Air Quality DR I-405, Renton Nickel Improvement Project, I-5 to SR 169 AIR QUALITY DISCIPLINE REPORT October 2005 %&e( !"b$ AÉ !"`$ !"`$ Aæ %&e( Bothell Kirkland Bellevue Renton AÊ AÐ Aí Aô AÌ Aí Aç AÅ Lake Washington Arterial Road Freeway Municipality Lake Park M0 2 Miles I-405 Project Area Renton Nickel Improvement Project AIR QUALITY DISCIPLINE REPORT I-405, Renton Nickel Improvement Project Prepared for Washington State Department of Transportation Urban Corridors Office And Federal Highway Administration Prepared by Ginette Lalonde, Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc October 18, 2005 Title VI WSDOT ensures full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex in the provision of benefits and services resulting from its federally assisted programs and activities. For questions regarding WSDOT's Title VI Program, you may contact the Department's Title VI Coordinator at 360. 705.7098. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information If you would like copies of this document in an alternate format—large print, Braille, cassette tape, or on computer disk, please call 360.705.7097. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service, or Tele-Braille at 7-1-1, Voice 1.800.833.6384, and ask to be connected to 360.705.7097. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report i T ABLE OF C ONTENTS Glossary.............................................................................................................................................................................iii Acronyms and Abbreviations Used in this Report .........................................................................................................v Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................1 What is the Renton Nickel Improvement Project? ...........................................................................................................1 What is the No Build Alternative?................................................................................................................................2 What is the Build Alternative?.....................................................................................................................................2 How will stormwater from the project be managed? .................................................................................................12 What environmental and utilities issues influenced the project design and what was done to avoid and minimize project effects?....................................................................................................................................13 What is planned for wetland and stream mitigation?.....................................................................................................16 What benefits will the project provide?......................................................................................................................17 How will the project incorporate community design preferences?.............................................................................17 How will the project be constructed?.........................................................................................................................18 Why do we consider air quality as we plan this project?................................................................................................19 What are the key points of this report?..........................................................................................................................19 Existing Conditions.........................................................................................................................................................21 Who regulates air quality?.............................................................................................................................................21 What standards apply to air quality?..............................................................................................................................21 What are the emission trends for air quality?.................................................................................................................22 Potential Effects...............................................................................................................................................................25 How do we evaluate regional effects to air quality?.......................................................................................................25 Will the operation of the project affect air quality?.........................................................................................................25 What are the projected regional air pollutant emission trends?.....................................................................................26 How will project construction temporarily affect air quality?...........................................................................................27 Does the project conform to air quality standards?........................................................................................................28 What effects would the No Build Alternative have?.......................................................................................................29 Does the project have indirect effects?..........................................................................................................................29 Measures to Avoid or Minimize Project Effects ............................................................................................................30 How will adverse effects from construction be avoided or minimized?..........................................................................30 What mitigation is required to the design/operation of the build alternative?.................................................................31 References........................................................................................................................................................................32 TABLE OF CONTENTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project ii Air Quality Discipline Report E XHIBITS Exhibit 1. Project Vicinity Map..........................................................................................................................................1 Exhibit 2. Project Overview Section 1..............................................................................................................................3 Exhibit 3. Project Overview Section 2..............................................................................................................................4 Exhibit 4. Project Overview Section 3..............................................................................................................................5 Exhibit 5. Project Overview Section 4..............................................................................................................................6 Exhibit 6. Project Overview Section 5..............................................................................................................................7 Exhibit 7. Project Overview Section 6..............................................................................................................................8 Exhibit 8. Project Overview Section 7..............................................................................................................................9 Exhibit 9. Project Overview Section 8............................................................................................................................10 Exhibit 10. Summary of Ambient Air Quality Standards..................................................................................................21 Exhibit 11. Puget Sound Carbon Monoxide Trends........................................................................................................23 Exhibit 12. Puget Sound Ozone Trend...........................................................................................................................24 Exhibit 13. Destination 2030 Air Pollutant Emission Budget (tons per day)....................................................................26 Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report iii GLOSSARY Ambient Surrounding atmosphere. Air Emissions Pollutants emitted into the air, such as ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and others. Air Pollutant Any substance in air that could, in high enough concentration, harm people, other animals, vegetation, or material. Pollutants may include almost any natural or artificial composition of matter capable of being airborne. They may be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, gases, or a combination thereof. Generally, they fall into two main groups: (1) those emitted directly from identifiable sources and (2) those produced in the air by interaction between two or more primary pollutants, or by reaction with normal atmospheric constituents. Air Quality Standards The level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that may not be exceeded during a given time in a defined area. Attainment Area An area considered to have air quality as good as or better than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards as defined in the Clean Air Act. An area may be an attainment area for one pollutant and a non-attainment area for others. Carbon Monoxide (CO) A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuel. Criteria Pollutants The 1970 amendments to the Clean Air Act required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for certain pollutants known to be hazardous to human health. The EPA has identified and set standards to protect human health and welfare for six pollutants: ozone, carbon monoxide, total suspended particulates, sulfur dioxide, lead, and nitrogen oxide. The term, “criteria pollutants” derives from the requirement that the EPA must describe the characteristics and potential health and welfare effects of these pollutants. It is on the basis of these criteria that standards are set or revised. Emission Factor The relationship between the amount of pollution produced and the amount of raw material processed. For example, an emission factor for a blast furnace making iron would be the number of pounds of particulates per ton of iron ore processed. Emission Standard The maximum amount of air polluting discharge legally allowed from a single source, mobile or stationary. Emission Pollution discharged into the atmosphere from smokestacks, other vents, and surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities, vehicles, and other sources. Freeboard The vertical distance of the space from the top of a truck to the top of the material that is transported in the truck. Fugitive Emissions Air pollutants released to the air other than those from stacks or vents; typically small releases from leaks in plant equipment such as valves, pump seals, flanges, sampling connections, etc. Hazardous Air Pollutants Air pollutants which are not covered by ambient air quality standards but which, as defined in the Clean Air Act, may reasonably be expected to cause or contribute to irreversible illness or death. Such pollutants include asbestos, beryllium, mercury, benzene, coke oven emissions, radionuclides, and vinyl chloride. Maintenance Area Area that has recently met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the criteria pollutants designated in the Clean Air Act and is being managed to continue to meet the Standards. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for pollutant concentrations in outside air throughout the country. (See 'criteria pollutants', 'state implementation plans') GLOSSARY Renton Nickel Improvement Project iv Air Quality Discipline Report Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Product of combustion from transportation and stationary sources and a major contributor to the formation of ozone in the troposphere. Non-Attainment Area Area that does not meet one or more of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the criteria pollutants designated in the Clean Air Act. Ozone (O3) Ozone is a natural form of oxygen that provides a protective layer shielding the earth from ultraviolet radiation. Ozone in the troposphere is produced through complex chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides, which are among the primary pollutants emitted by combustion sources; hydrocarbons, released into the atmosphere through the combustion, handling and processing of petroleum products; and sunlight. Ozone is a chemical oxidant and major component of smog. It can seriously impair the respiratory system and is one of the most widespread of all the criteria pollutants for which the Clean Air Act required the EPA to set standards. Particulate A very small solid, suspended in air or water, which can vary widely in size, shape, density, and electrical charge. Parts per million (PPM) Parts per million parts, a measurement of concentration on a weight or volume basis. This term is equivalent to milligrams per liter (mg/L). PM2.5 Particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. PM10 A standard for measuring the amount of solid or liquid matter suspended in the atmosphere, i.e., the amount of particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter; smaller PM10 particles penetrate to the deeper portions of the lung, affecting sensitive population groups such as individuals with respiratory ailments and children. Project Level Conformity In CO and PM10 nonattainment and maintenance areas, projects must be found to conform to Air Quality Maintenance Plans before they are adopted, approved or funded. Regional Conformity In air quality maintenance areas, regionally significant projects are evaluated for their conformity to Air Quality Maintenance Plans. Projects that conform to the plans are not expected to cause exceedences of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Smog Dust, smoke, or chemical fumes that pollute the air and make hazy, unhealthy conditions. Automobile, truck, bus, and other vehicle exhausts and particulates are usually trapped close to the ground, obscuring visibility and contributing to a number of respiratory problems. State Implementation Plan State Implementation Plans are the regulations and planning documents for meeting clean air standards and associated Clean Air Act requirements. Troposphere The portion of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC): Any organic compound which evaporates readily to the atmosphere. VOCs contribute significantly to photochemical smog production and certain health problems. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report v ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT µg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter AQMPs Air Quality Maintenance Plans CO carbon monoxide EA Environmental Assessment Ecology Washington State Department of Ecology EIS Environmental Impact Statement EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FHWA Federal Highway Administration MTP Metropolitan Transportation Plan NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NOx nitrogen oxides PM particulate matter ppm parts per million PSCAA Puget Sound Clean Air Agency PSRC Puget Sound Regional Council SIP State Implementation Plan SR State Route TIP Transportation Improvement Program VOCs volatile organic compounds WSDOT Washington State Department of Transportation Renton Nickel Improvement Project vi Air Quality Discipline Report This page intentionally blank. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 1 INTRODUCTION What is the Renton Nickel Improvement Project? The Renton Nickel Improvement Project is a highway expansion project that will improve mobility and safety through Tukwila and Renton. On I-405, this project begins just east of the I-5/I-405 interchange in Tukwila and extends north past the Cedar River to the SR 169 (Maple Valley Highway) interchange. The project will build an additional lane both northbound and southbound between I-5 and SR 169. On SR 167, the project will extend the southbound high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane north to I-405 and add a southbound auxiliary lane from I-405 to the SW 41st Street off-ramp. These limits comprise the study area for the project. Prior to planning this specific project, WSDOT created the I-405 Corridor Program. This program provides a comprehensive strategy to reduce congestion and improve mobility throughout the I-405 corridor. The corridor begins at the I-5 interchange in the city of Tukwila and extends northward 30 miles to the I-5 interchange in the city of Lynnwood. The program’s purpose is to provide an efficient, integrated, and multimodal system of transportation solutions. Using the I-405 Corridor Program’s Selected Alternative as the Master Plan to improve I-405, WSDOT developed relatively low cost, congestion relief roadway improvements as an interim step in achieving the Master Plan. As part of this effort, WSDOT began to define the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. The Renton Nickel Improvement Project was developed as part of a first step in providing a focused strategy to improve I-405 between I-5 in Tukwila and SR 169 in Renton and SR 167 southbound from I-405 to SW 41st Street, see Exhibit 1. This discipline report analyzes two project alternatives: the No Build Alternative and the Build Alternative. Exhibit 1. Project Vicinity Map G r e en R i v e r C e d ar Riv er Interurban TrailCedar River Interpretive Trail Panther Creek Wetlands Green River TrailBlack River Riparian Forest Fort Dent Park Cedar River Park Liberty Park SW 41st St S W 3 4 t h S t S W 2 7 t h S t SW 16th St Southcenter ParkwayW Valley HwyI n t e r u r ban Ave SMa ple V alley H w yRainier Ave SS W Sun s e t B lvdS W 7 t h S t S W G r a d y W a y Lind Ave SWTUKWILA RENTON S pri n g br ook CreekBenson Rd SSW 23rd St Talbot Rd SBenson Dr SI-405 Northern Project Limit at SR 169 I-405 Southern Project Limit at I-5 !"`$ %&e( Aæ Aç Aí SR 167 Southern Project Limit at SW 41st St 0 0.25 0.5 Miles M AÅ Arterial Road Freeway Trail Stream Lake Park Municipality INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 2 Air Quality Discipline Report What is the No Build Alternative? The No Build Alternative assumes that only routine activities such as road maintenance, repair, and safety improvements would take place over the next 20 years. This alternative does not include improvements to increase roadway capacity or reduce congestion. For these reasons, it does not satisfy the project’s purpose—improve I-405 between I-5 in Tukwila and SR 169 in Renton and SR 167 southbound from I-405 to SW 41st Street. The No Build Alternative has been evaluated in this discipline report to establish a baseline for comparing the effects associated with the Build Alternative. What is the Build Alternative? The new lanes that will be built under this project are: An I-405 northbound general-purpose (GP) lane from I-5 to the SR 167 off-ramp. An I-405 northbound auxiliary lane from the SR 167 to I-405 on-ramp to the SR 169 off-ramp. An I-405 southbound auxiliary lane from the SR 169 to I-405 on-ramp to the SR 167 off-ramp. An I-405 southbound GP lane from the SR 167 to I-405 on-ramp to the I-5 off-ramp. A SR 167 southbound auxiliary lane from I-405 to the SW 41st Street off-ramp. Also, the existing inside HOV lane will be extended north to I-405 from its present starting point in the vicinity of SW 21st Street. See Exhibits 2 through 9 show the project features. In addition to adding lanes to I-405 and SR 167, this project will provide the following improvements. Improve Interchanges Minor modifications will be made to the ramps at the SR 167 interchange: The one-lane ramp from northbound I-405 to SR 167 will be widened to a 2-lane off connection, which provides a dedicated lane to southbound SR 167 and a dedicated lane to northbound Rainer Avenue. See Exhibit 5. Traffic from two consecutive single-lane on- ramps from southbound I-405 to SR 167 will be separated by a concrete barrier. This will provide a smoother transition to the mainline and reduce congestion on the on-ramps. What is an auxiliary lane? An auxiliary lane is a lane added between interchanges—from one on-ramp to the next off-ramp. It is dedicated to traffic entering and leaving the freeway and provides motorists with more time and extra room to accelerate or decelerate and merge when getting on and off the freeway. 89:P 89:T Existing On-ramp On-ramp with proposed auxiliary lane INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 3 T u k w i l a P a r k w a y I-405 Southern Project Limit at I-5 Gilliam Creek Cottage Creek Westfield Shoppingtown MallSouthcenter ParkwaySouthcenter Blvd 65th Ave STUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northboundbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. M0250500 Feet I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel Ecology EmbankmentÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW Areas of Construction New ROW Exhibit 2. Project Overview Section 1 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 4 Air Quality Discipline Report ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃInterurban TrailFort Dent Park W Valley HwyInterurban Ave S RENT ONT UKWI L AG r e en RiverSouthcenter B lv d65th Ave SAí %&e( %&e(UP RRBNSF RRBridge Restripe Only Bridge Rail Replacement Bridge Rail Replacement M o n s t e r R d S WTUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. M0250500 Feet I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed %&e( Retaining Wall Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 3. Project Overview Section 2 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 5 ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ SW 16th St S W G r a d y W a y SW G ra d y W a y Oakesdale Ave SWSW 16th St %&e( Potential Staging Area Bridge Replacement S prin g br o o k Cr eekBridge Replacement TUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. The existing Springbrook Creek and Oakesdale Avenue bridges will be replaced and the existing culvert will be removed. I-405 Southbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 70 feet to the outside at some locations. The existing Springbrook Creek and Oakesdale Avenue bridges will be replaced and the existing culvert will be removed.M0250500 Feet I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 4. Project Overview Section 3 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 6 Air Quality Discipline Report ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ SW 19th StLind Ave SWS G r a d y W a y Aæ %&e( Potential Staging Area Noise Wall Renton CinemaRolling Hills Creek Panther Creek Wetlands SW 16th St Lake AveSouthRainier Ave STUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: A general-purpose lane will be added up to the SR 167 interchange and an auxiliary lane will be added from the SR 167 to I-405 on-ramp north. These lanes will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added up to the I-405 to SR 167 on-ramp and a general-purpose lane will be added south of the interchange. These lanes will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. SR 167 Southbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping existing pavement and adding up to 19 feet of pavement at the outside at some locations. The existing HOV lane will be extended north from SW 21st Street to the interchange with I-405.M0250500 Feet I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed SR 167 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel Proposed Noise Wall ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 5. Project Overview Section 4 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 7 ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃPanther Creek Wetlands S W 2 7 t h S t Talbot Rd SEast Valley RdTalbot Rd SPotential Staging Area SW 23rd St TUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí SR 167 Improvements: In addition to extending the HOV lane north from SW 21st Street, an auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 19 feet to the outside at some locations. M0250500 Feet SR 167 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton RentonÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 6. Project Overview Section 5 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 8 Air Quality Discipline Report ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃSW 41st St S W 3 3 r d S t Panther CreekEast Valley RdTalbot Rd SLind Ave SWAæ SR 167 Southern Project Limit at SW 41st St TUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí SR 167 Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 19 feet to the outside at some locations. The new lane will tie into the existing ramp connection to SW 41st Street. M0250500 Feet SR 167 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 7. Project Overview Section 6 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 9 ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃS G rady W ayB e a c o n S 7 t h S tWilliams %&e( Potential Staging Area Replace Bridge Bridge Widening Existing Bridge to be Demolished Thunder Hills Creek Rolling Hills Creek Noise Wall Benson Rd STalbot Rd STUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec, 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 24 feet to the outside at some locations. Benson Rd S Improvements: The Benson Rd S overpass will be replaced and realigned to the west of its current location. The new overpass will have 2 lanes with 5-foot bike lanes on both sides and a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side.M0250500 Feet I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton Parcel Acquisition New ROW Existing ROW Easement Acquisition Areas of Construction New Pavement Stormwater Flow Control Facility Retaining Wall ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Proposed Noise Wall Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel Exhibit 8. Project Overview Section 7 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 10 Air Quality Discipline Report C edar River Cedar River Interpretive Trail Cedar River Park Liberty Park Ma p l e V a ll e y H w y H o u s e r W a y S N 3 r d S t Bronson Wa y N%&e( I-405 Northern Project Limit at SR 169 Aç Restripe Only Main AvenueCedar Ave SRenton Ave STUKWILA RENTON!"`$ %&e( Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 Sec. 5 Sec. 6 Sec. 7 Aæ Aç Sec. 8 Aí I-405 Northbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. I-405 Southbound Improvements: An auxiliary lane will be added by restriping the existing pavement and adding pavement up to 15 feet to the outside at some locations. M0250500 Feet I-405 NORTHBOUND Existing Proposed I-405 SOUTHBOUND Existing Proposed Renton Renton Piped River/Creek Channel Open River/Creek Channel ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ Ecology Embankment Retaining Wall Stormwater Flow Control Facility New Pavement Areas of Construction Easement Acquisition Parcel Acquisition Existing ROW New ROW Exhibit 9. Project Overview Section 8 INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 11 Improve Benson Road The Benson Road overpass will be replaced and realigned to accommodate the southbound auxiliary lane on I-405 as well as future improvements to I-405 as shown on Exhibit 8. Improvements on Benson Road include a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side and 5-foot bike lanes on both sides. Widen and replace bridges Several bridges within the study area will be widened or replaced based on present location, cost, and existing soil conditions. To construct the new lanes, the project will: Widen Talbot Road Bridge on both the northbound and the southbound sides. See Exhibit 8. Replace Springbrook Creek Side Channel Bridge and Oakesdale Avenue Bridge with new southbound and northbound structures and remove the Springbrook Creek box culvert. See Exhibit 4. Replace the rail on the I-405 bridges over SR 181 and the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads. The project will not affect the I-405 bridges over the Green River, Lind Avenue, or the Cedar River. The project will also not affect the Cedar Avenue or Renton Avenue overpasses. The roadway will be restriped in these areas to accommodate the new lanes. Use retaining walls Widening I-405 and SR 167 will require retaining walls to minimize the construction footprint and right-of-way acquisition. Retaining walls will also help avoid and minimize effects to wetlands and other sensitive areas. Improve culverts WSDOT anticipates that construction will affect some existing stormwater cross culverts and one stream culvert. Associated culvert improvements include extending the existing structures due to widening the roadway and stabilizing culvert ends with rock or retaining walls. The I-405 Team will conduct a hydraulic analysis of the culverts to ensure that the modifications will have no effect on the base flood elevations. See the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Discipline Report for detailed discussion on fish passage. Why rebuild Benson Road on a new alignment over I-405? By building the new overpass to the west on a new alignment, the new structure can be constructed while the existing structure remains open to traffic. Traffic can then be shifted onto the new structure, while the old overpass is demolished. What does a “rail” replacement involve? Typically, a bridge rail replacement project consists of making minor adjustments to the width of the bridge deck and replacing the guard rail or barrier. This type of project does not include adding new bridge columns or footings. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 12 Air Quality Discipline Report Build a noise wall One noise wall will be built on the northbound side of the freeway as shown on Exhibits 5 and 8. The wall will begin at the intersection of South 14th Street and South 15th Street and follow South 14th Street east to Talbot Road. This wall will be approximately 2,150 feet long and 18 feet tall. How will stormwater from the project be managed? Stormwater from the project will be managed for both quality and peak flows using currently accepted best management practices (BMPs). The I-405 Team has designed the stormwater management facilities to comply with the following guidelines and procedures: WSDOT Highway Runoff Manual M 31-16 WSDOT Hydraulics Manual M 23-03 Stormwater treatment facilities The project will add new impervious surface within the study area, most of which will be within the Springbrook Creek basin. This project will treat runoff for an area equal to 100 percent of these new surfaces. The project will use BMPs that the HRM lists as enhanced treatment facilities. The I-405 Team has proposed that stormwater be treated using a combination of these facilities. In most of the study area, ecology embankments will be used to capture runoff from the edge of the pavement and provide water quality treatment. Ecology embankments also serve to convey treated runoff to receiving waters or to flow control facilities as required. The project also includes a combined stormwater quality wetland and detention facility that addresses water quality and flow control in one facility. Exhibits 2 through 9 show the location of stormwater facilities that will be built for this project. Ecology Embankment Cross-Section What are the guidelines for stormwater management facilities? Water quality treatment will be provided for an area equal to the new impervious surfaces created on the project. Impervious surfaces, such as pavement, are those that do not allow water to penetrate into the ground. Stormwater from new impervious surfaces or an equal area will be controlled in detention facilities. This process allows water to be held (detained) and thus released at rates that are equal to existing conditions. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 13 Drainage Collection and Conveyance Some changes to existing drainage will be necessary to provide flow control and water quality treatment to address the new impervious area added by the project. However, existing storm drainage systems will be kept to the greatest extent possible and existing flow patterns will be maintained. Where roadway widening affects drainage ditches that convey water from adjacent private properties, the project design will assure that existing conveyance capacities are maintained. What environmental and utilities issues influenced the project design and what was done to avoid and minimize project effects? Throughout the development of the Renton Nickel Improvement Project design, environmental elements were reviewed and design features were modified to avoid or minimize negative effects to the environment. Influence on the project design came from: Soil Conditions: the soils in the project area are highly prone to accentuate earthquake shaking, which influences how bridges can be widened or replaced. Noise: highway noise in the project area already exceeds acceptable levels, which means that including noise walls as part of the project had to be considered. Wetland Locations: many wetlands are located along the edges of the highway, which influence whether the widened sections will use retaining walls or fill slopes. Historical Sites: some historic sites exist within the study area, so the project design was coordinated to avoid these properties. Because the I-405 Team planned for these environmental considerations, several design features have the benefit of avoiding or minimizing potential effects due to the project. These design features are described from south to north below. I-405, I-5 to SR 167 WSDOT will construct a retaining wall from west of the 68th Avenue structure over I-405 at Tukwila Parkway What are detention facilities? These facilities control stormwater runoff so that it can be released at a controlled rate. Two types are commonly used: Ponds. Vaults. Similar to a pond, but with a hard-sided construction. These concrete structures function like a pond but also provide detention storage. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 14 Air Quality Discipline Report The proposed design modifications allow the additional lanes to be added over the Green River by restriping instead of bridge widening. This avoids effects on the river, stream habitat, floodplain, and Interurban Trail. to the Green River. This wall avoids the need to construct a fill slope that would extend into Gilliam Creek. See Exhibit 2. WSDOT will provide a narrower outside shoulder on northbound I-405 at the Green River Bridge. The shoulder will vary from 10 to just over 3 feet at the west abutment of the existing bridge. Narrowing the shoulder avoids modifications to the existing bridge. As a result, the design also avoids effects to the river, the 100-year floodplain, the ordinary high water level, and adjacent riparian zones. At the SR 181 interchange, the bridge and ramp will be restriped to provide the new general-purpose lane and ramp improvements. This approach minimizes the need to widen the existing SR 181 Bridge, reconstruct the SR 181 interchange, or modify the Southcenter Boulevard crossing of the Green River. This in turn avoids relocating or diverting the Interurban Trail, which goes under the bridge. See Exhibit 3. Near the Westfield Shoppingtown Mall, a large Seattle Public Utilities water transmission line parallels I-405. WSDOT will line this pipe so that is can support the loads from the new roadway embankment. This approach allows the line to stay in its present location. WSDOT will remove the existing I-405 bridges over the Springbrook Creek side channel and Oakesdale Avenue and replace them with a single northbound and a single southbound bridge. This approach will allow for the removal of the Springbrook Creek box culvert. Construction of the new bridges will be phased with the southbound bridge built slightly to the north of the existing roadway. This phasing minimizes the need to construct temporary roadway to maintain traffic operations. WSDOT also evaluated the location of the new bridge piers and selected locations that will minimize the effect on the existing stream, stream buffer, and trail that crosses under the bridge. WSDOT will construct a narrower exit gore from I-405 to the northbound ramp at the SR 167 interchange as shown in Exhibit 5. By building a narrower exit gore, the project can be constructed within the existing right- of-way. This has the benefit of avoiding right-of-way acquisition, avoiding effects to the wetland outside the right-of-way, and avoiding effects to the existing Lind Avenue Bridge. What is an exit gore? An exit gore is a roadway feature that separates an exiting lane from the main lanes. An exit gore can be defined either by paint stripes, raised buttons, physical barriers, or a combination of these. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 15 Retaining walls will help to avoid and minimize effects on the Panther Creek wetlands along SR 167 SR 167, southbound from I-405 to SW 41st Street WSDOT will build a retaining wall along a large portion of the west edge of SR 167 southbound instead of an earth fill slope. See Exhibits 6 and 7. The retaining wall minimizes effects on three wetlands. The retaining wall has the added benefit of minimizing right-of-way needs and reduces the effect on existing utility crossings, in particular, the City of Seattle’s 60- inch water line and Olympic Petroleum’s two high pressure pipelines, which all cross under SR 167. I-405, SR 167 to SR 169 WSDOT will add a lane by restriping I-405 northbound next to the Talbot Hill retaining wall immediately east of the SR 167 interchange. Restriping instead of widening avoids the need to reconstruct the existing Talbot Hill retaining wall and avoids effects on properties south of I-405 in this area. Between Talbot Road and the “S-Curves”, northbound I-405 will be widened to achieve standard lane and shoulder widths. Most of this length will be supported by retaining walls to minimize effects to Thunder Hills Creek, adjacent properties, and the existing cut slope south of I-405. To support the fill required to widen the roadway on the north side of I-405 next to the outfall for the original Rolling Hills Creek culvert, the design uses a retaining wall. By using the retaining wall, the project improvements at this location can be constructed without affecting the existing culvert. WSDOT will use a non-standard design for the I-405 to SR 167 exit ramp. The changes from the design standards include not providing a recovery lane, narrowing the distance between the through lane and ramp, and providing narrower shoulders. While these changes deviate from WSDOT design standards they are an improvement over existing conditions. These features will avoid effects to the existing Rolling Hills Creek/Thunder Hills Creek channel located between I-405 and the Renton Cinema complex as shown in Exhibit 5. Using retaining walls along the west side of Benson Road avoids effects to Rolling Hills Creek and the wetlands east of Talbot Road. WSDOT will use retaining walls to support widening southbound I-405 south of the Cedar Avenue overpass. Using retaining walls versus a fill slope, avoids encroaching on Cedar Avenue and Main Avenue in Renton. What is a recovery lane? A recovery lane is a paved area adjacent to an off-ramp. This area gives drivers, who find themselves exiting the freeway unintentionally, room to maneuver back onto the freeway. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 16 Air Quality Discipline Report WSDOT also plans to replace the existing Benson Road overpass on a new alignment. The new bridge will be located slightly to the west of the existing bridge. This will allow traffic to continue to use the existing overpass until the new one is completed. This will minimize disruption for local traffic and to emergency response vehicles. Where northbound and southbound I-405 passes under the Renton Avenue and Cedar Avenue overpasses, WSDOT will add lanes by restriping. This design avoids replacing the two overpasses; however, the available area does not allow the standard shoulder and lane widths. WSDOT shifted a proposed stormwater facility to avoid effects to the existing Renton Coal Mine Hoist Foundation site south of Benson Road. This site is on the Washington Historic Register. What is planned for wetland and stream mitigation? WSDOT will compensate for unavoidable effects to wetlands with credits from the Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank. Mitigation is needed for 1.66 acres of wetlands. The Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank is being developed as a joint effort between WSDOT and the City of Renton. This ‘bank’ will construct a new high quality wetland complex that will serve to replace other wetlands that are filled in by projects such as the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. The location of the bank is shown to the left. In addition to wetland mitigation, the site will also provide flood storage mitigation. The Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank will be one of the first urban mitigation banks to be certified in Washington. To mitigate project effects on streams, WSDOT will remove the existing Springbrook Creek box culvert. With the new I-405 southbound and northbound bridges that will span both Springbrook Creek and Oakesdale Avenue, the box culvert is no longer needed. After the new bridges are in place, the box culvert will be removed and the streambed in that area will be restored. This will improve fish habitat within Springbrook Creek. Any additional stream mitigation required to offset project effects will be accommodated within the project vicinity. Renton Coal Mine Hoist Foundation site looking west r Interurban TrailPanther Creek Wetlands Green River TrailFort Dent Park SW 41st St S W 3 4 t h S t S W 2 7 t h S t SW 16th St W Valley HwyS W 7 t h S t S W G r a d y W a y Lind Ave SWS pri n g br ook CreekSW 23rd St Aæ Aí M 0 0.25 0.5 Miles 100 Year Floodplain 500 Year Floodplain Park Renton Tukwila Springbrook Creek Wetland & Habitat Mitigation Bank Wetlands Local Road Legend Trail Arterial Road Freeway River/Creek Channel Study Area Limits Springbrook Creek Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 17 What benefits will the project provide? The Build Alternative will benefit the area by reducing congestion at chokepoints, reducing the duration of congestion during peak commuter travel hours, and improving freight movement. This section of I-405, from the I-5 interchange to SR 169, is congested due to large traffic volumes and merging and diverging traffic. The new lanes will help relieve congestion by adding roadway capacity. This in turn will improve safety by providing drivers with more time and extra room to accelerate or decelerate and move into and out of the stream of traffic when getting on and off the freeway. This provides a smoother transition for motorists as they get on and off I-405 in Tukwila and Renton and helps decrease rear- end and sideswipe collisions. The project reduces congestion approaching the SR 167 interchange, and it complements the completed southbound I-405 to southbound SR 167 flyover ramp. This project will construct one noise wall along northbound I-405 from the intersection of South 14th Street and South 15th Street east to Talbot Road. This wall will benefit residents in that area by lowering the overall noise levels. Another benefit of this project is that it continues the application of the Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) design choices made by the communities within the I-405 corridor. The Benson Road realignment will reflect the most comprehensive application of these design choices as explained further in the next section. How will the project incorporate community design preferences? The Renton Nickel Improvement Project is being planned, developed, and designed according to CSS guidelines. These guidelines establish the community design preferences used to design the project features. Working within the framework for the overall I-405 corridor, the Urban Design Guidelines will be adapted to incorporate the communities’ design preferences. These preferences will be included in the contract documents prepared for the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. The selected I-405 theme of “Culture, Nature, and Progress,” with nature being the dominant theme, will be carried into corridor-wide and local I-405 designs. The new Benson Road overpass is the main project feature that will receive CSS treatment. The new This rendering shows the new Benson Road overpass with the CSS Guidelines applied INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 18 Air Quality Discipline Report southbound and northbound bridges over Springbrook Creek and Oakesdale Avenue will also receive CSS treatments. The rest of the project elements will be designed to match in color and vegetation type only, as many of these elements will be affected by construction of future Master Plan projects. During future Master Plan phases for the overall I-405 corridor, the approved CSS guidelines will be applied throughout. How will the project be constructed? Construction of the entire Renton Nickel Improvement Project is expected to take two years, beginning in early 2008 and being completed in late 2010. However, construction activity will not be constant for the entire study area throughout this time, and in some locations, the work will take substantially less time than two years. Construction will pose some minor inconveniences because of localized travel delays due to temporary lane closures and narrowed lanes and shoulders. At-grade construction At-grade construction, which occurs on the same elevation as the existing lanes, will be staged to minimize traffic delays and detours. Typically, lanes are shifted toward the median. WSDOT then places a concrete barrier to close off the shoulder. Staging allows construction to occur safely without closing lanes for the duration of construction. Access to construction areas will occur from the roadway side to minimize property effects. Bridge construction Construction of the I-405 bridges will occur in multiple stages to minimize traffic delays and detours. The following describes typical staging for bridge construction. As the first stage, traffic is shifted toward the I-405 median and the existing lanes and shoulders are narrowed slightly to allow widening of the existing structure or construction of the new bridge depending on the design. In the next stage, traffic is shifted onto the new bridge area. If the bridge is being replaced rather than simply widened, the old structure is demolished after traffic is shifted to the new bridge. The new Benson Road overpass will also be staged. The new structure will be built to the west, while the existing overpass remains in service. After traffic has been shifted onto the new overpass, the existing structure will be demolished. At-grade construction for this project will likely be staged similar what is shown above. Here, the southbound lanes of I-5 were shifted toward the median and a concrete barrier closed off the shoulder to provide crews a safe work area. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 19 Staging areas Construction staging areas along I-405 and SR 167 will be within the WSDOT right-of-way. Potential staging areas have been identified as shown on Exhibits 2 through 9. Traffic control Detour agreements with the local agencies will be obtained after WSDOT awards the contract. A traffic control plan will be approved by WSDOT prior to starting construction. The plan’s primary objectives will be to provide a safe facility, to streamline the construction schedule, and to minimize reductions to existing traffic capacity. To lessen effects on traffic, the duration of activities will be minimized and reductions in capacity will be limited and will be targeted to a period when they will have the least effect. Why do we consider air quality as we plan this project? We study air quality to ensure that transportation projects do not cause or contribute to poor air quality on both a regional and local level. Air quality refers to the cleanliness of the atmosphere. Pollutants in the air we breathe can have negative health effects, and these pollutants can cause harm to plants, other animals, and materials. Air quality can be affected by the construction and operation of new roadway projects. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment.1 This report verifies that this project will uphold these standards. What are the key points of this report? The key points of this report are: The project is exempt from project-level conformity requirements because this project will not increase traffic or change the configuration of any intersection. 1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1990, National Ambient Air Quality Standards. What is the State Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)? The State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) is a three-year, fiscally constrained and prioritized program of transportation projects, compiled from local and regional plans along with the Washington Transportation Plan, which provides a backbone for developing projects for the intermodal transportation network in the State of Washington. INTRODUCTION Renton Nickel Improvement Project 20 Air Quality Discipline Report Once the project is included in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), it will meet all requirements of 40 CFR Part 93 and WAC 173- 420, and demonstrate conformity to the State Implementation Plans (SIP). Avoidance and minimization measures during construction were discussed in the I-405 Corridor Programmatic EIS Air Quality Review. The measures applicable to the Renton Nickel Improvement Project are summarized in this report. What types of projects are included in the State Transportation Improvement Plan? Included in the STIP are state and local roadway, bridge, bicycle, pedestrian, safety and public transportation (transit) projects. These projects have been identified through the planning process as the highest priority for the available funding to the state’s transportation program. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 21 EXISTING CONDITIONS Who regulates air quality? Air quality in the study area is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA). What standards apply to air quality? Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which specify maximum concentrations for criteria pollutants. There are seven criteria pollutants with primary standards: carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in size (PM10), particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in size (PM2.5), ozone, sulfur dioxide, lead, and nitrogen dioxide. The standards were selected to protect human health and welfare. The standards applicable to transportation projects are summarized in Exhibit 10. Exhibit 10. Summary of Ambient Air Quality Standards Pollutant Standard1 Measurement Averaging Time 9 ppm 8 hours Carbon Monoxide 35 ppm 1 hour 50 µg/m3 Annual Particulate Matter (PM10) 150 µg/m3 24 hour 15 µg/m3 Annual Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 65 µg/m3 24 hour 0.08 ppm 8 hours Ozone 0.12 ppm 1 hour Nitrogen Dioxide 0.053 ppm Annual Lead 1.5 µg/m3 Quarterly 0.03 ppm Annual Sulfur Oxides 0.14 ppm 24 hour 1 Washington State & PSCAA Regional Standards EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 22 Air Quality Discipline Report The I-405 corridor lies within ozone and CO maintenance areas. Air quality emissions in the Puget Sound region are currently being managed under the provisions of Air Quality Maintenance Plans (AQMP) for Ozone and CO. PSCAA and Ecology developed the current plans and EPA approved them in 1996. Per the approved plans, any regionally significant transportation project in the Puget Sound Air Quality Maintenance areas must conform to the AQMPs. Projects that conform to the plan are not expected to cause or contribute to any new violation of any NAAQS, increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any NAAQS, or delay timely attainment of the NAAQS. The characteristics and health effects of pollutants associated with transportation projects were discussed in the I-405 Corridor Programmatic EIS Air Quality Review. Because the project will not increase traffic2 or change the configuration of any intersection, the project will not have a substantial effect on localized air quality around any intersection. As a result, it is exempt from project level conformity requirements as per the Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 93.123. During construction activities, PSCAA regulates particulate emissions in the form of fugitive dust. These emissions will be reduced with the best available control technology.3 As stated in PSCAA Rule 1, Section 9.15, fugitive dust from construction activities shall not be injurious to human health, plants and animals, or property, and shall not unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life and property. Also, a person may not operate a vehicle that deposits particulate matter on a paved, public highway. What are the emission trends for air quality? Regional air pollutant trends have generally followed national patterns over the last 20 years. While the average weekday vehicle miles traveled in the central 2 Renton Nickel Improvement Project: Draft Transportation Discipline Report, 2005. 3 PSCAA Rule 1, Section 9.15. What is a regionally significant project? Regionally significant project means a transportation project that is on a facility which serves regional transportation needs (such as access to and from the area outside of the region, or major activity centers in the region). What is fugitive dust? Particulate emissions are very small solids, suspended in air or water, which can vary widely in size, shape, density, and electrical charge. What are maintenance areas? Air quality maintenance areas are regions that have recently attained compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). What is project level conformity? In CO and PM10 maintenance areas, projects must conform to the AQMP before they are approved or funded. Project level conformity ensures that projects do not cause or contribute to localized CO or PM10 violations. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 23 Puget Sound region has increased from 30 million miles in 1981 to 65 million in 1999,4 pollutant emissions associated with transportation sources have decreased over time due to more stringent federal emission standards for new vehicles and the gradual replacement of older, more polluting vehicles. Carbon monoxide is the criteria pollutant most closely tied to transportation, with over 90 percent of the CO emissions in the Puget Sound urban areas coming from transportation sources. The PSRC tracks trends against recorded maximums as shown by the blue areas on Exhibits 11 and 12. As shown in Exhibit 11, the maximum measured CO concentrations have decreased considerably over the past 20 years throughout the region. Exhibit 12 illustrates that ozone emissions have followed a similar but less pronounced trend. Exhibit 11. Puget Sound Carbon Monoxide Trends5 Source: Washington State Department of Ecology, 2003 4 PSRC 2000. 5 Data for 2002 are incomplete and have not been validated. EXISTING CONDITIONS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 24 Air Quality Discipline Report Exhibit 12. Puget Sound Ozone Trend6 Source: Washington State Department of Ecology, 2003 6 Data for 2002 are incomplete and have not been validated. Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 25 POTENTIAL EFFECTS How do we evaluate regional effects to air quality? The I-405 Corridor Programmatic EIS Air Quality Review evaluated air quality for the I-405 Corridor Program.7 The corridor-level review evaluated regional effects of the I-405 Corridor Program, including the Renton Nickel Improvement Project study area, but did not evaluate localized carbon monoxide (CO) effects. Information available then was insufficient to determine if, or to what extent, the projects will affect local pollutant levels. During the Corridor Program analysis, the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) refined the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) to be consistent with the I- 405 Corridor Program Selected Alternative. The Selected Alternative was found to conform at the regional scale to the Puget Sound region’s air quality maintenance plans. This report supplements the information in the Programmatic EIS Air Quality Review and provides updated information about air quality. The regional analysis of air quality effects evaluated in the I-405 Corridor Programmatic EIS Air Quality Review7 includes the effects of construction in the I-405 Renton Nickel Improvement Project study area as part of the implementation of the I-405 Corridor Program. The regional effects have not changed substantially since that analysis; therefore, they are not repeated in this study. Will the operation of the project affect air quality? Because the project will not increase traffic volumes8 at any intersection or change the configuration of any intersection, there will be no substantial localized increase or decrease in air quality between the Build Alternative and the No Build Alternative. The project 7 WSDOT, 2001. 8 Renton Nickel Improvement Project: Draft Traffic Discipline Report, 2005. Who is the Puget Sound Regional Council? The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is an inter-governmental agency that addresses regional transportation issues. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 26 Air Quality Discipline Report is exempt from project level conformity requirements as per the Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 93.123. What are the projected regional air pollutant emission trends? The PSRC recently updated the regional emission analysis, which evaluated the air quality conditions in the area for Destination 2030, the current MTP for the Central Puget Sound region through 2030. The recently completed emission analysis reflects new EPA emission requirements, including the Tier II Gasoline/Sulfur Rule and the latest plans for jurisdictions within the Puget Sound region. The revised emission budget from the latest AQMP and the most recent emission trend modeling are shown in Exhibit 13. Exhibit 13. Destination 2030 Air Pollutant Emission Budget (tons per day) PSRC Metropolitan Transportation Plan Pollutant AQMP Budget* 2010 Forecast 2020 Forecast 2030 Forecast CO 1,497 684 530 574 VOCs 248 144 145 192 NOx 263 189 168 208 Note: * represents the motor vehicle emissions budget for each pollutant as identified in the appropriate maintenance plan. All other values represent modeled emissions. Source: PSRC (2004). As part of the Air Quality Management Plans (AQMPs), PSCAA and Ecology developed budgets, or limits, for CO and ozone. Based on the Destination 2030 analysis, we expect none of the future transportation scenarios to exceed the emissions What is Tier II Gasoline/Sulfur Rule? This rule reflects new federal emission standards that established tighter tailpipe standards for new passenger vehicles and limited the amount of sulfur in gasoline. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires 25% of cars and light trucks to comply with this rule. This rule also requires larger vehicles (e.g., SUVs, pick-up trucks) to meet the same standards as cars. The rule will be fully phased in by 2009. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 27 budget for either pollutant.9 This means that the projected regional emission rates are anticipated to be lower than the rates necessary to maintain compliance with the NAAQS. The downward trend in CO and NOX is expected to continue for the Puget Sound region through 2020, but the trend is expected to begin increasing again by 2030. This decrease to 2020 will result from improved emission control technology in newer vehicles offsetting increases in travel in the region through 2020. The improvements in technology are not projected to be able to continue to offset the growth in travel between 2020 and 2030. The future trend for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) shows a gradual increase in emissions between 2010 and 2030. However, VOCs are expected to be below the emissions budget through 2030. How will project construction temporarily affect air quality? Particulate emissions will vary from day to day depending on level of activity, specific operations, and weather conditions. Particulate emissions will depend on soil moisture, silt content of soil, wind speed, and the amount and type of equipment operating. Larger dust particles will settle near the source, while fine particles will be dispersed over greater distances from the construction site. The quantity of fugitive dust or particulate emissions will be proportional to the area of the construction operations and the level of activity. Based on field measurements of suspended dust emissions from construction projects, an approximate emission factor for the construction operations will be 1.2 tons per acre of construction per month of activity (EPA, 1995). Fugitive dust from construction activities will be noticeable near construction sites, if uncontrolled. Construction will require mitigation measures to 9 In Destination 2030, ozone was evaluated based on separate budgets for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOX), which largely drive ozone formation in the Central Puget Sound region. The transportation emission scenarios stayed within the budgets for both pollutants. POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project 28 Air Quality Discipline Report comply with PSCAA regulations that require the control of dust during construction and preventing deposition of mud on paved streets.10 Measures to reduce deposition of mud and emissions of particulates are identified in the Construction Mitigation Section of the corridor I-405 EIS (Section 3.1.6.1) and summarized in the Mitigation section of this report. In addition to particulate emissions, heavy trucks and construction equipment powered by gasoline and diesel engines will generate CO and NOx in exhaust emissions. If construction traffic reduces the speed of other vehicles in the area, then emissions from traffic will increase slightly while those vehicles are delayed. These emissions will be temporary, limited to the immediate area surrounding the construction site, and the construction emissions will contribute a small amount to the total emissions in the study area because construction traffic will be a very small fraction of the total traffic in the area. Some phases of construction will result in short-term odors, particularly if asphalt is used for paving operations. Odors might be detectable to some people near the construction site. These odors will be diluted as distance from the site increases. Does the project conform to air quality standards? The project area includes maintenance areas for carbon monoxide and ozone. Projects that are in maintenance areas must comply with the project-level and regional conformity criteria described in the EPA Conformity Rule (40 CFR 93) and with WAC Chapter 173-420. Because the project will not increase traffic or change the configuration of any intersection, the project is exempt from project-level conformity requirements per 40 CFR 93.123. The Renton Nickel Improvement Project is in the PSRC Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) but not yet in the TIP. Because the project has been included 10 PSCAA Regulation 1, Article 9. What is regional conformity? Under the Clean Air Act, a transportation project may not cause or contribute to an exceedence of the NAAQS. In air quality maintenance areas, regionally significant projects are evaluated for their conformity to Air Quality Maintenance Plans. Projects that conform to the plans are not expected to cause exceedences of the standard. In the Puget Sound Region, the PSRC determines regional conformity by including a project in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). POTENTIAL EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 29 in the MTP modeling, it is known to meet regional conformity technical requirements; however, it does not yet meet the procedural requirement of TIP inclusion. Once the project is included in the TIP, it will meet all requirements of 40 CFR Part 93 and WAC 173- 420 and demonstrate regional conformity. What effects would the No Build Alternative have? Because the project will not increase traffic or change the configuration of any intersection, there will be no substantial increase or decrease in air quality between the Build Alternative and the No Build Alternative. The project is exempt from project level conformity requirements as per the Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 93.123. Does the project have indirect effects? There will be no indirect effects as a result of the Renton Nickel Improvement Project. Were cumulative effects looked at for this discipline? Cumulative effects for this discipline are evaluated in a separate Cumulative Effects Analysis Discipline Report. That report discusses cumulative effect for this project in the areas of Air Quality, Surface Water and Water Quality, Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat, and Wetlands. Cumulative effects for other disciplines were determined to be unnecessary for this project. Renton Nickel Improvement Project 30 Air Quality Discipline Report MEASURES TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE PROJECT EFFECTS Avoidance and minimization measures during construction were discussed in the I-405 Corridor Programmatic EIS Air Quality Review. The measures applicable to the Renton Nickel Improvement Project are summarized here. How will adverse effects from construction be avoided or minimized? Construction effects will be reduced by incorporating mitigation measures to avoid effects into the construction specifications for the project. The following measures will be used to control PM10, deposition of particulate matter, and emissions of CO and NOx during construction: Exposed soil will be sprayed with water to reduce emissions of PM10 and deposition of particulate matter. To reduce PM10 and deposition of particulates during transportation, all truck loads will be covered, materials in trucks will be wetted, or adequate freeboard (space from the top of the material to the top of the truck) will be provided. Wheel washers will be provided to remove particulate matter that would otherwise be carried off site by vehicles in order to decrease deposition of mud on area roadways. Particulate matter deposited on paved, public roads will be removed to reduce mud on area roadways. Dirt, gravel, and debris piles will be covered as needed. Construction trucks will be routed and scheduled in a manner that will reduce delays and the indirect air quality effects associated with traffic slowing to accommodate construction vehicles. Equipment will be well-maintained to reduce CO and NOx emissions. DRAFT MEASURES TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE PROJECT EFFECTS Renton Nickel Improvement Project Air Quality Discipline Report 31 Other measures may be considered as appropriate. What mitigation is required to the design/operation of the build alternative? Because the design/operation of the project is not anticipated to cause any adverse effects, activities to avoid effects will not be required. Renton Nickel Improvement Project 32 Air Quality Discipline Report REFERENCES Associated General Contractors of Washington 1997 Guide to Handling Fugitive Dust from Construction Projects. Seattle, Washington. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1997 40 CFR Part 93 Determining conformity of federal actions to state or federal implementation plans. Washington, D.C. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA), formally Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency 2001 Destination 2030 Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Central Puget Sound Region. 1999 Final Report of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency PM2.5 Stakeholder Group. Seattle, Washington. 1997 Puget Sound PM10 Emissions Inventory. Seattle, Washington. 1997 Techniques for improving project level conformity analyses in the Puget Sound metropolitan area. Seattle, Washington. 1995 Guidebook for Conformity and Air Quality Analysis Assistance for Non- attainment Areas, Seattle, Washington. 1994 Regulation 1 of the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency. Seattle, Washington. Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) 2004 2004 Destination 2030 Progress Report, Seattle, Washington. Transportation Research Board (TRB) 2000 Highway Capacity Manual. U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) 2001 Transportation Conformity Reference Guide. Federal Highway Administration. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2002 Latest Findings on National Air Quality 2001 Status and Trends. Report Number EPA-454/K-02-001. 2001 The Projection of Mobile Source Air Toxics from 1996 to 2007: Emissions and Concentrations (Draft). Report Number EPA-420-R-01-038. 1990 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 1996 Chapter 173-420. Conformity of Transportation Activities to Air Quality Implementation Plans. Olympia, Washington. Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) 2003 2000-2002 Air Quality Trends. Olympia, Washington. 2000 1999 Air quality trends in Washington. Olympia, Washington. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) 2001 I-405 Corridor Program NEPA/SEPA Draft EIS Draft Air Quality Review, prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff to support the I-405 Corridor Program EIS. Seattle, Washington.