| Q: |
What
is the purpose of the Process
Streamlining Agreement between
the Federal Highway
Administration and VDOT?
|
| A: |
The
agreement serves as an
innovative means to define the
I-81 Corridor Improvement
Study approach and certain
decision points. It assigns
accountability for critical
study elements and actions and
openly informs the public of
the agencies’ approach. This
study is being performed under
the auspices of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Streamlining Agreement Press
Release |
| Q: |
When
will an outcome be identified? |
| A: |
VDOT
and FHWA will conduct studies
to evaluate the existing
transportation system to
identify deficiencies and
opportunities for improvement.
In Tier 1, these opportunities
– or improvement concepts
– will be evaluated to
determine their effectiveness
and potential impacts. Based
on the Tier 1 EIS, the
Commonwealth Transportation
Board and FHWA will select “no-build”
or an improvement concept to
advance to Tier 2. Detailed
studies of the environmental
impacts of this improvement
concept will be completed in
Tier 2. |
| Q: |
What
is tiering? |
| A: |
The
tiering of Environmental
Impact Statements is flexible
and allows broad discretion on
issues to be addressed in
first and second tier
environmental documents.
Unlike a traditional Draft and
Final EIS and Record of
Decision, many process
requirements for a tiered EIS
can be uniquely defined for a
particular situation. The I-81
Corridor Improvement Study is
designed to consist of a Tier
1 Draft EIS, a Tier 1 Final
EIS, and a Tier 1 Record of
Decision, followed by Tier 2
NEPA document(s).
Site-specific analyses and
approvals will be elements of
Tier 2 studies. |
| Q: |
When
will the public have an
opportunity to participate in
the study? |
| A: |
There
will be numerous opportunities
for public participation in
the I-81 Corridor Improvement
Study, including public
meetings, an Internet Web
site, and a continuously
monitored E-mail account
through which anyone can
provide comments. |
| Q: |
How
will rail options be
considered in the study? |
| A: |
Detailed
traffic and transportation
studies will be conducted to
identify transportation
deficiencies associated with
the I-81 corridor. Potential
solutions that address these
deficiencies, including rail
and a combination of rail and
highway, will be evaluated to
determine their ability to
address those deficiencies. |
| Q: |
Will
the study consider the options
for improving I-81 proposed by
two companies through the PPTA? |
| A: |
As
noted in the agreement, VDOT
and FHWA will rigorously
explore and objectively
evaluate all reasonable
alternatives. We anticipate
that the improvement concepts
evaluated could include the
options proposed through the
PPTA process. |
| Q: |
Can
PPTA and NEPA proceed
simultaneously? |
| A: |
Yes.
The PPTA process does not
influence the NEPA process.
The outcomes of the NEPA
process will influence the
PPTA process. |
| Q: |
When
will we see bulldozers? |
| A: |
Not
in the near future. NEPA is
required by federal law to be
completed prior to the
authorization of federal funds
or other federal actions such
as toll approval and/or
interstate access
modification. |
