Tri-County Parkway Location Study

FAQs

Why are several of the proposed preliminary alternatives NOT examined in the DEIS?

It is not practical, nor is it the best use of taxpayer dollars, to bring every alternative into the Draft EIS for detailed evaluation. The selection is initially based on a range of alternatives that are screened for various environmental, operational and engineering factors and their ability to meet the Purpose and Need and then only those remaining alternatives are carried into the detailed Draft EIS analysis.

We heard there are changes regarding the TCP in the Significant Changes or Additions to the 2003 CLRP and FY 2004-2009 TIP? Why?

The TCP has been a part of TPB’s CLRP since about 1999.  The changes that have occurred are basically changes in terminology and can be confusing.  One segment of the TCP is being changed from "study" to "construct" and the route designation has been changed from "Route 28 Bypass" to "Route 411."  The important thing to note here is that none of these changes affect the EIS process. The project is in the CLRP and the Study Team is evaluating a range of alternatives to address the problem.  The presence of any project in the CLRP serves as a placeholder in the plan so that regional planning moves forward.  To view the CLRP and the Transportation Improvement Plan, go to:  http://www.mwcog.org/transportation/activities/clrp. 

How does the removal of the Western Transportation Corridor from VDOT’s Six-Year Plan affect the TCP Location Study?

The removal of the Western Transportation Corridor Study from the Six-Year Improvement Program has no effect on the range of preliminary alternatives under consideration for the Tri-County Parkway.  The alternatives that are studied for the TCP are potential solutions to the problems identified in the Purpose and Need for the TCP.

Acronyms

CLRP

Constrained Long Range Plan. The official long-range transportation plan developed by the Metropolitan Planning Organization TPB for the National Capital Region.  It identifies the capital improvements, studies, actions and strategies that the region proposes to carry out by the year 2025. 

CTB

Commonwealth Transportation Board

DEIS

Draft Environmental Impact Statement. See EIS.

EIS

Environmental Impact Statement. A document prepared to describe the effects of proposed activities on the environment.  “Environment” in this case, is defined as the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment.  This means that the “environment” considered in an EIS includes land, water, air, structures, living organisms, environmental values at the site, and the social, cultural and economic aspects. At a preliminary level, during the EIS the number of build alternatives is screened by transportation, environmental and engineering criteria and is further reduced to include only the most feasible alternatives.

FEIS

Final Environmental Impact Statement.  See EIS.

4f

Determination of Environmental Impact on Parkland

FONSI

Finding of No Significant Impact

FHWA

Federal Highway Administration

MWCOG    

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. A regional organization of Washington area local governments whose mission is to enhance the quality of life and competitive advantages of the Washington metropolitan region and in the global economy.

NEPA

National Environmental Policy Act.  In 1969 this Act established a national policy for the environment, provides for the establishment of a Council on Environmental Quality, and for other purposes.  NEPA is the federal law which establishes the basis for the EIS process.

NVTA

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.  This is an advisory group of locally elected officials that makes recommendations to the state on transportation projects for Northern Virginia. The NVTA replaced the Transportation Coordinating Council effective July 1, 2002, by legislation passed during the 2002 session of the Virginia General Assembly.

ROD

Record of Decision - This is a document issued by FHWA to identify the selected alternative, to document the basis for the decision and to outline mitigation measures.  The ROD is issued no sooner than 30 days after the publication of the FEIS notice in the Federal Register. The location study is complete upon the issuance of a ROD.  The ROD allows project development to continue into final design, right-of-way acquisition and construction.

ROW

Right-of-Way

TCC

Transportation Coordinating Council.  This is an advisory group that no longer exists.  It was replaced in 2002 with the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA).  See NVTA.

TCP

Tri-County Parkway

TIP

Transportation Improvement Program.  This program provides detailed information showing which projects in the CLRP will be completed over the next six-year period. It is administered and developed by the TPB. 

TPB and MPO

National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board and Metropolitan Planning Organization.  The TPB is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region, and plays an important role as the regional forum for transportation planning.

TSM

Transportation System Management

VDOT

Virginia Department of Transportation

For more acronyms, visit the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Web site.