3.7 RAILROADS, UTILITIES, AND PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES

3.7.1 Existing Conditions

Railroads. There are four railroad lines in the beltway study area providing freight and passenger service to and through the region. From west to east, the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) has a single track line which parallels Salt Creek and Wilderness Park in the south beltway study area. A portion of the line, from the half-section line south of Saltillo Road to Beatrice, has been identified for abandonment in the near future and placed in conservancy for the Rails-to-Trails program. The rest of the line to the north remains in active status. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) has a double track mainline which parallels the UP on the east; this line provides freight service with up to 30 trains per day. Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) has recently purchased the BNSF line to the OPPD coal-fired electric generating plant at Nebraska City. This line roughly parallels N-2 through the south beltway study area and carries approximately 12 trains per week. BNSF also has a double track mainline which runs along the north side of US 6 in the east beltway study area; this line provides freight and passenger service with upwards of 42 trains per day.

Utilities. Numerous public and private utilities are located in the beltway study area, including:

• Extensive electric distribution lines, substations and other facilities belonging to Lincoln Electric System, Norris Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power District.
• Extensive telephone distribution lines belonging to Alltel.
• Radio and communication towers belonging to several public and private entities.
• Municipal and rural water distribution systems for the City of Lincoln, City of Waverly, Lancaster County Rural Water District No. 1, and Cass County Rural Water District No. 2. These include the City of Lincoln's Northeast Pump Station and underground reservoir, and City of Waverly's well field.
• Underground gas and liquid fuel transmission mains belonging to Peoples Natural Gas, Enron Transportation/Northern Natural Gas and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners.
• Underground cable lines, including Galaxy Cablevision, Level 3 Communications, MCI-Worldcom, and Sprint.
• Lancaster County maintenance buildings.
• Petroleum pipelines and storage tanks belonging to Williams Pipeline/Mid-America Pipe Company and Conoco Pipeline Company.

Many of the above ground features are shown on the constraints map, (see Figures 2.1 and 2.25). More detailed maps are provided in Interim Report No. 1 (WSA, 1996a).

Public Services and Facilities. The beltway study area is served by the following emergency services:

1. County Sheriff

• Rural Fire Districts
• Rural/Metro Medical Services

3.7.2 Impacts of the Four Finalist Alternatives

Railroads. The SM-4 alternative will cross three railroad lines; including the very end of the active portion of the UP (SM-4 crosses the UP line just north of the half-section line). All of these locations will be provided with grade separations. None of the east alternatives cross railroad lines north of N-2; however, if SM-4 and EC-1 are constructed, two crossings of the OPPD line will be required. Table 3.8 lists required railroad crossings.

If SM-4 and EC-1 are constructed, two crossings of the OPPD line will be required. EC-1 alone does not require any railroad crossings.

Utilities. Utility relocations will be determined during final design. Any approvals for relocations will be obtained at that time. Major underground pipe lines are generally buried deep enough to avoid potential impacts. EM-1 will need to be designed to avoid impacts to the nearby transmission towers.

The majority of the utilities found in the beltway study area are routinely encountered on roadway projects. Most of these utilities can be easily relocated at minimal cost once final design has identified those utilities that must be moved. There are a few major utilities in the beltway corridor that may require additional consideration during final design due to the high cost of relocation. These utilities include major gas distribution lines, water mains, major fiber optic lines, and electrical transmission lines.

Major underground utilities such as water, gas and fiber optic lines can be accommodated during final design by adjusting the vertical alignment as necessary to provide adequate cover over existing lines. Water mains generally require 1.5 m (5 ft) minimum cover. Other underground utilities may allow as little as 0.75 m (2.5 ft) of cover. Any adjustments to the vertical alignment will likely be determined based on a cost comparison of the cost of relocating the utility versus adjusting the roadway alignment.

The major electrical distribution lines in the area may require alignment shifts during final design in order to accommodate the existing steel towers. Alignment shifts would likely be determined based on a comparison of the cost to realign the roadway (including right-of-way costs) versus the cost to relocate the distribution line. General guidelines for roadway construction near electrical distribution lines include: maintain transmission towers on private property, no grade changes or disturbed soil within 9 to 15 m (30 to 50 ft).

After initiation of the beltways study, Lincoln Electric System completed a transmission line to service the City of Waverly. This line is crossed by EM-1 and then continues parallel to the beltway. During final design the beltway alignment may need to be adjusted to cross this transmission line at a right angle in order to fit the beltway in between the transmission towers which are spaced 205 to 210 m (675 to 700 ft) apart. This can be accomplished by moving the alignment to the east of the substation lcoated south of Adams Street or by crossing the line where it turns west between Fletcher and Havelock Avenues.

Public Services and Facilities. Public services and public facilities are not expected to be negatively impacted by construction of a beltway. The primary effect on community services will be positive due to improved access for emergency vehicles.

3.7.3 Proposed Mitigation

Railroads. All of the beltway/railroad crossings will include grade separations over any active railroad lines.

Utilities.Utility relocations will be determined during final design. Any approvals for relocations will be obtained from the affected utility at that time.

Public Services and Facilities. No mitigation is proposed.

3.7.4 No Build Alternative

The no build alternative will avoid any impacts to railroads, utilities or public services and facilities, other than that required for construction of the proposed future roadway network improvements.