Tri-County Parkway Location Study
Study Phases
The Location Study will proceed in five phases. The TCP Location Study is currently in Phase 5:(1) Scoping/Purpose & Need
(2) Alternatives Development
(3) Evaluation of Impacts/Technical and Environmental Studies
(4) Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Public Hearing
(5) Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision
Phase l
Scoping/Purpose and Need (March 2002 - COMPLETE):
During this phase, the study scope and statement of the
problem to be addressed are shared with the public, the
study's Advisory and Technical Committees, and
appropriate federal, state, regional and local agencies.
The information and comments gathered during Phase l
from the public and agencies help to define the purpose
and need for the improvements, the range of alternatives
to consider and the impacts and significant issues to be
addressed in the EIS. Some of the data that will be
collected as the study proceeds are: current and
projected traffic volumes; preliminary environmental
data; the ability of existing transportation systems to
accommodate traffic in the future; safety conditions on
existing roads, including the history and causes of
accidents; and existing and future land use.
Related Link:
Scoping Meeting Summary (March 2002)
Phase II
Alternatives Development (December 2002 - COMPLETE):
The goal of this phase is to identify alternatives that
address the Purpose and Need for the study. The Study Team will
gather and use technical data such as traffic counts,
aerial mapping and environmental information identified
during scoping, to develop a range of possible
alignments, or alternatives. These alternatives will be
screened through a more detailed environmental and
technical analysis during Phase III.
Related links:
Purpose and
Need
Preliminary Alternatives Meeting Summary
Phase III
Evaluation of Impacts/Technical & Environmental Studies
(January 2005 - COMPLETE)
The Study Team will refine the screened alternatives by
including potential right-of-way, or land required.
Detailed environmental studies
are
also conducted.
Related links:
Newsletter #2
Study Area
Alternatives
Selected for Further Review
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of Page
Phase IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Location
Public Hearings (May 2005 - COMPLETE)
Information developed during earlier phases is compiled
into the DEIS. Once the DEIS is complete, a 45-day
public comment period will follow. Location Public
Hearings - one in each of the three counties in the
study area - will be held for the public to review the
environmental impacts and the proposed conceptual design
of each alternative. Citizens will be invited and
encouraged to comment on the DEIS and to give their
opinions on the alternatives under consideration.
Following the hearings and a review of the public
comments received, the Commonwealth Transportation Board
(CTB) will select an alternative to be implemented
pending FHWA approval.
The DEIS will:
- Identify and explain the purpose of and need for the Tri-County Parkway.
- Describe the alternatives being considered.
- Identify the environmental consequences of each alternative.
- Identify measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate consequences of the proposed action.
- Describe the agency and public coordination efforts, and serve as the basis for decision-making.
Phase V
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) - Record of
Decision (ROD) (Winter 2006)
After the public hearings have been held and the
Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has
taken action, the FEIS document is submitted to the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for approval.
The FEIS will:
- Summarize key issues raised from comments received on the DEIS and at the public hearings.
- Address substantive comments received on the DEIS.
- Document all mitigation measures and other commitments associated with the alternative selected including compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
- Document selected alternative.
The Record of Decision (ROD) 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.
Related links:
Federal
Highway Administration
Commonwealth
Transportation Board
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of Page
Environmental Impact Statement Process
What is an
Environmental Impact Statement?
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes the
potential environmental impacts of a proposed action and
its alternatives. An EIS also serves as the basis for a
decision. The EIS is required by the NEPA (see below)
for major Federal actions that could significantly
affect the quality of the human environment.
What is
NEPA?
The National Environmental Policy Act became effective
January 1, 1970, and requires federal agencies to
disclose and consider the environmental implications of
their actions, including effects to the social, natural,
economic, and transportation environments.
Preparation
of this EIS
To evaluate the environmental
effects of the proposed action, the Study Team applies the regulatory previsions and
agency guidance of a broad range of federal statutes.
Several of the environmental study categories the team
will analyze are listed below:
- Air Quality
- Construction Impacts
- Cultural Resources
- Energy
- Hazardous Materials
- Indirect and Cumulative Impacts
- Land Use
- Natural Resources
- Noise
- Parks, Recreation Areas, and Open Space Easements
- Right-of-Way and Relocations
- Social and Economic Impacts
- Transportation (traffic and transit operations)
- Visual
Quality
Related links:
National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Study
Team
