ATLANTIC STEEL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

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ATLANTIC STEEL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
EPAs Role in Supporting Environmental Excellence
and Smart Growth
Air Innovations Conference 2004 Leif Palmer U.S.
EPA Region 4
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CHANGING LAND USE
1970
2020
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A DRIVING WE WILL GO
Percent Increase for Atlanta, Georgia
Vehicle Miles Traveled (65)
Population (32)
1985
1995
SOURCE Atlanta Regional Commission
Created by MJBragan
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ATLANTIC STEEL SITE LOCATION
Maps courtesy of CRB Realty Associates
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ATLANTIC STEEL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
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17TH STREET BRIDGE
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REGULATORY ISSUES CLEAN AIR ACT

• Atlanta Serious Ozone Non-Attainment Area
• Transportation Conformity Lapse (1998 to 2000)
• Atlantas Transportation Plan did not conform
  with the States Air Quality Plan
• No Federal Funding for New Roads
• Exceptions
• Exempt projects
• Transportation Control Measures (TCM)

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EPA PROJECT XL

• Program that promotes environmental eXcellence
  and Leadership
• Goal of Project XL Develop projects that would
  produce superior environmental performance in
  exchange for regulatory flexibility
• Partnership between local, state and federal
  government and the private sector

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PROJECT TEAM

• Lead Agency - U.S. EPA
• Cooperating Agencies
• Federal Highway Administration
• Federal Transit Administration
• Georgia Department of Transportation
• Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
• Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
• Atlanta Regional Commission
• City of Atlanta
• Atlantic Station, L.L.C.

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REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY

• Consider the entire redevelopment project,
  including the 17th Street Bridge and other
  transportation elements, as a Transportation
  Control Measure (TCM)
• Measurement of the air quality benefits of the
  project

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WHAT IS A TCM?

• Measure to reduce emissions of air pollutants
  from transportation sources by
• Reducing vehicle use
• Changing traffic flow or congestion conditions
• Examples of TCMs include
• HOV lanes
• Public transit
• Bicycle, or pedestrian projects
• Employer-based transportation management plans

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APPROACHES TO BE TESTED

• Will the combination of location, linkage to
  transit, and design characteristics of the
  Atlantic Steel development project result in
  significant, measurable emissions reductions?
• Can the application of smart growth site design
  principles make a difference in travel patterns
  in Atlanta -- where people have a longer average
  commute than commuters in any other city in the
  country?

Graphic courtesy of Atlantic Station, L.L.C.
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ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

• Atlantic Steel
• Site Location

• Site Design

• 17th Street Extension
• Bridge Location
• Interstate Access
• Intersection Improvements
• High Occupancy Vehicle Access

• Transit

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KEY FEATURES OF THE TCM

• Pedestrian and bike friendly
• Dedicated transit lanes and service to the MARTA
  Arts Center Station
• Formation of Transportation Management Plan
• Significant monitoring commitments
• Work with surrounding residential communities

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TRAFFIC IMPACTS
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