HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 10/13/2020 - Memorandum From Dan Woodward Re: Lemay Realignment Air Quality
Engineering Department
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.221.6605
970.221.6378 - fax
fcgov.com/engineering
Planning, Development & Transportation
MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 12, 2020
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Director of PDT
Chad Crager, City Engineer
FROM: Dan Woodward, Interim Capital Projects Manager
RE: Lemay Realignment Air Quality
_______________________________________________________________
This memo provides information regarding the air quality impacts of constructing
Realigned Lemay over Vine Drive and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF)
railroad tracks.
Conclusion
As the Lemay Realignment Project addresses significant congestion and delays due to
a constrained intersection and railroad switching yard operations, an air quality study
found that the Lemay Realignment Project will result in an overall reduction in common
highway air pollutants. The construction of the bridge over the BNSF railroad tracks and
Vine Drive results in an approximate 25% decrease in CO2 emissions, and a 75%
decrease in PM (2.5) particles, when compared to the delay associated with a switching
train at this location blocking Lemay Avenue anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes at a time.
Train delays associated with switching cars at this location have steadily increased over
the past several years and are expected to continue to rise. In addition, this project will
provide increased transit, bicycle, and pedestrian connectivity which may result in even
more increased air quality.
Background and Discussion
An air quality study was performed to determine the change in level of common
pollutants associated with the construction of Lemay Avenue as a grade separated
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crossing over both Vine Drive as well as the BNSF railroad and switching yard.
Comparison was made to both the existing intersection when a train was not present,
existing intersection with a switching train present, and future roadway with bridge over
the railroad tracks.
To study the potential impacts to air quality associated with the Lemay Realignment
Project, the heaviest time of day was used as a baseline analysis, which is the PM Peak
Hour. In looking at the air quality impacts, it was important to consider not only the
existing traffic volumes, but also to consider the future growth in traffic volumes. Without
the Lemay Realignment Project, the delay at the current intersection will grow
exponentially and begin to cause congestion and decreasing air quality at nearby
intersection locations. The project will address the future increased traffic volume
congestion, resulting in fewer delays and increased air quality benefits.
Accommodating transit, bicycles, and pedestrians is a key factor for the construction of
this project. This project will provide significant alternative transportation opportunities
for either existing or future developments in this area of Fort Collins.
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