Transcript Welcome! [www.modot.org]

Welcome!
Please sign in.
Your participation is important!
Thank you
for taking the time to get involved!
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Why We Are Here
MODOT is studying transportation issues along 257 miles of
I-44 between the Missouri/Oklahoma state line and the
St. Louis/Franklin county line. The issues cover a wide
range of factors such as traffic operations, safety, highway
design elements and system condition.
The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to present information
related to the issues and obtain input from you, the I-44
users, to help us better understand the needs and uses of
the corridor. Please review the exhibits and share your
thoughts, information and questions with the study team.
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Summary of Stations
There are six stations at tonight’s meeting with
information that will help you understand the purpose
and process of this study. Please take the time to visit all
six stations.
At Stations 5 & 6 we would like your input on issues that
concern you about I-44. You can mark up project maps
at Station 5 with information we should know, and
provide written or oral comments, or both, at Station 6.
What you will find at each station:
 Station 1: Background
 Station 2: Engineering Data Issues
 Station 3: Environmental Resources
 Station 4: Working Maps
 Station 5: Public Comment Forms
 Station 6: What’s Next?
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Station 1:
Project Background
This station includes background information about I-44, the
study purpose and scope, explains the NEPA process, and
defines a Purpose and Need Statement.
Project Purpose: To seek the most effective approach to
improving the I-44 transportation corridor in Missouri.
This Purpose and Need Study will:
 Identify Transportation Problems
 Establish Evaluation Criteria
 Determine Modal Strategies
 Establish Logical Termini
 Present Environmental, Planning, Engineering and Traffic
Data which affects all of the above.
We encourage you to stay involved.
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I-44 Background
I-44 in Missouri was originally designed and constructed
from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. It plays a key role in
serving the state’s commercial and recreational traffic. In
addition, I-44 is part of the I-44/I-40 corridor that extends
from California to Missouri. Existing traffic volumes on I-44
vary from 19,000 vehicles per day to nearly 72,000 vehicles
per day, and travel along the interstate is expected to
increase significantly in the future.
Given the critical importance of I-44 to the state’s economy,
the age of the facility, increasing traffic volumes and rapid
growth along portions of the study corridor, MoDOT and its
planning partners determined it was time to begin the first
step in assessing the extent of the deficiencies and needs
along the corridor.
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Study Purpose & Scope
The purpose of this I-44 study is to develop a
comprehensive list of transportation issues along the I-44
study corridor, translate those issues into a purpose and
need statement and identify sections of I-44, known as
sections of independent utility, that would make appropriate
stand-alone improvement projects in the future.
Key study activities include the following:
 Data Gathering
 Community Involvement
 Land Use Forums
 Agency Coordination
 Purpose and Need Statement
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What is NEPA?
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The NEPA process requires that transportation decisions
balance such important factors as engineering and
transportation needs with social, economic and natural
environmental factors.
During the process, a wide range of partners, including
the public, businesses, interest groups and government
agencies provide input into project and environmental
decisions.
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What is a Purpose and
Need Statement?
NEPA requires a “purpose and need statement” for proposed actions.
The purpose statement identifies the objectives to be achieved.
The needs statement identifies the problem that does, or will, exist.
The Purpose and Need Statement is not intended to propose a
particular solution. It is used to:
 Define the issue(s) and clarify the desired outcome.
 Guide the development of a reasonable range of
alternatives.
 Develop criteria to measure the alternative solutions.
 Justify alternatives moved forward during the screening
process.
 This statement would serve as the starting point for detailed
analyses in the future.
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Station 2:
Engineering Data
The exhibits at this station describe the engineering
data the study team has collected along I-44 and the
issues that have been identified. As noted, the issues
described at this station will be included in the project’s
Purpose and Need Statement.
This station includes detailed analyses of the following:
 Crash Data
 Traffic Data
 Roadway Geometrics
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Level of Service
Level of Service (LOS) is a measure of how effectively
a highway can move the volume of traffic it carries.
Ranging from LOS A (free-flow conditions) to LOS F
(gridlock), the measure takes into account the driver’s
speed, freedom to maneuver and proximity to other
vehicles. See photographs and descriptions to the
right.
A
Free flow; low volumes
and high speeds; most
drivers can select their
own speed
Of course a highway facility operates at different
levels of service at different times of the day. Traffic
operations during peak periods like morning and
evening rush hour are much different than the middle
of the night, for example.
B
Stable flow; speeds
somewhat restricted by
traffic; standard LOS
used for rural highway
design throughout the
U.S
As engineers plan for I-44 improvements, they must
determine the number of lanes and basic design
needed to reach a minimum level of service during
peak periods in the future. This ensures that traffic
operations will be acceptable during the busiest times,
but also means traffic will not operate perfectly all the
time.
C
Stable flow; speed
controlled by traffic;
standard LOS used for
urban highway design
throughout the U.S.
Consider the design of a parking lot at a shopping
mall. A properly designed lot would be very
congested the morning after Thanksgiving, but traffic
would move and spaces would be available – similar
to LOS D. On average mornings, there would be very
little traffic and spaces would be readily available –
similar to LOS A. To design this parking lot for no
congestion and ample parking spaces the day after
Thanksgiving would not be a wise use of resources
and would result in substantial impacts to the
surrounding area.
The same concept can be applied in planning and
designing roadways. Consistent with standards used
throughout the country, the minimum LOS being used
for I-44 during peak periods in the future is C in the
rural areas, and D in urban areas. That means during
the busiest times, traffic will move well, and at other
times it will operate better.
D
Approaching unstable
flow; lower speeds
E
Unstable flow; low,
varied speeds;
volumes at or near
capacity
F
Forced flow; low
speeds to stoppages;
volume exceeds
capacity
LOS Information Source: Highway Capacity
Manual 2000, Transportation Research Board.
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Station 3:
Environmental Data
The exhibits at this station describe the environmental data
that the study team has been collecting along I-44.
Because of the large study area, most data comes from
searches of various statewide databases. More detailed
field studies will be conducted in future phases of the
project.
The location of sensitive resources will be considered by
MoDOT in a future project phase when I-44 alternatives are
developed. Local residents are very valuable sources for
identifying important resources. Please let us know of any
resources that the study team should consider.
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Station 4:
Tell us what we need to know!
The most important activity tonight occurs at this
station. Tell us about your community’s needs,
issues and opportunities!
Steps for this station:
1. Identify the area on the map where you would
like to make a comment.
2. Tell a study team member or write any additional
engineering or environmental issues in this area
on the map.
MoDOT’s proactive efforts in soliciting stakeholder input on issues affecting I-44 in
conjunction with the establishment of the project’s Purpose & Need are consistent with
the requirements of Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU relating to stakeholder and agency
input at key steps during the NEPA process.
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Station 5:
Your comments are important!
Your input is a key factor in this study. Your comments,
ideas, and thoughts are valued. At this station, please
take a moment to record your thoughts to ensure that
the study team understands your concerns.
Also at this station, find out how you can stay involved
and where to find more information about the study.
We want your comments:
 Written comment form (drop-off tonight or mail-in)
 Website:www.modot.org/i44planningforprogress
MoDOT’s proactive efforts in soliciting stakeholder input on issues affecting I-44 in
conjunction with the establishment of the project’s Purpose & Need are consistent with
the requirements of Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU relating to stakeholder and agency
input at key steps during the NEPA process.
[email protected]
How to Stay Involved
Visit Our Web Site
www.modot.org/i44planningforprogress
E-mail Us
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Sign Up for the Newsletter
Please include your name, email, address,
and zip code on the sign-in sheet.
Write Us
I-44 Planning for Progress
Attn: Charles Pursley, MoDOT Project Manager
105 W. Capitol Avenue
P.O. Box 270
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270
Call Us
1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636)
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Station 6:
Future Efforts
This Study
What’s Next for I-44?
By first
identifying the
nature of the
transportation
issues that face
I-44, we can
then…
….move on to the
development and
evaluation of
alternatives that can
solve the identified
issues. Eventually…
…the solution that
best solves the
transportation issues
and minimizes
impacts will emerge.
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What’s Next for this
Purpose and Need Study?
Following these public information meetings, the study
team will continue to develop the Purpose and Need
Statement, taking into account the input we’ve received
tonight.
Among the key results of the completed Purpose and Need
Statement will be:

The identification of the transportation problems that
affect I-44. These problems will drive the establishment
of alternatives that will be investigated in the future.

The establishment of Sections of Independent Utility
(SIUs) – sections of I-44 that are logical to study as
standalone projects.
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Next in National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) Process
Environmental Process
1
6
Draft Environmental
Impact Statement
(DEIS)
Scoping
We are here
2
Purpose & Need
7
Due Early 2008
3
4
5
Evaluation
Criteria
Alternative
Development
Alternative
Screening
8
9
Formal Public
Comment on
DEIS
Final Environmental
Impact Statement
(FEIS)
Formal Public
Comment on
FEIS
10
Record of
Decision (ROD)
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Construction and
Funding
After appropriate improvements (preferred alternatives) are
identified, construction and funding need to be resolved.
Preliminary estimates suggest that improvements to I-44 could
cost billions of dollars.
Among the funding mechanisms under consideration are:
 Prioritization – to allow construction to occur as needed.
 Design-Build – a technique to fast-track the design/
construction process.
Legislative Actions – among the ideas currently being
discussed in the Missouri General Assembly are truck-only
lanes on I-44 and I-70 with a combination of funding
strategies.
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Schedule
I-44 Purpose & Need Study
Schedule
2007
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
PIP
Workshop
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2008
Jan
Land Use
Forums
Data Collection
Eng/Env/Socio Economic
Newsletter 1
Data Analysis
Eng/Env/Socio Economic
Public Information Meetings
Traffic and Safety Analyses
Draft Purpose & Need
Establish Sections of
Independent Utility
Newsletter 2
Final Purpose & Need
Approved P&N Document
Public Information Meetings
`
Newsletters
Land Use Forums
Note: Civic meetings will occur as they are requested
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