project overview

Project Workplan

The SATS will begin with the identification of transportation issues, establishing goals and objectives, developing and evaluating alternative solutions and will conclude the study with the selection of reasonable alternatives. This process will be completed within the confines of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), along with other applicable federal, state and local laws and statutes.

Study Initiation

• Develop an overall Problem Definition that identifies the access issues that need to be addressed. The information gathered for the Problem Definition will feed directly into the Purpose and Need Statement for the NEPA process.
• Outline a Purpose and Need statement to identify the present scenario and the needs of the region.
• Define goals and objectives based on the problems and opportunities that will present an organized method of addressing the needs of the region, and provide ample opportunities for citizens to be a part of the decision-making process.

Development of Alternatives

• Develop and evaluate multimodal and intermodal options.
• Define roadway design features, including number of lanes, extent of access control, shoulder surface and width, right-of-way width, interchange types, median treatment, and other design features.
• Designate feasible alternatives.

Evaluation of Alternatives

• Consider all feasible alternatives and after applying evaluation criteria select the final alternative(s).

Public Involvement

• Establish public participation opportunities through a project helpline, e-mail information link, project mailing address and project Web site.
• Host a media briefing to introduce the SATS and its planning approach to the community.
• Provide project newsletters with important project updates.
• Organize an advisory group of community representatives to offer additional input and oversee the progress of the project.offer additional input and oversee the progress of the project.
• Hold public involvement meetings.

NEPA Decision-Making

• Prepare travel demand forecasts.
• Complete an environmental inventory, evaluation, and analysis.
• Develop preliminary roadway improvement alternatives.
• Investigate alternative corridor preservation techniques.
• Prepare technical memos and working papers, including the Purpose and Need statement, draft environmental document, and final environmental document.
• Hold public hearing and/or public comment session.
• Develop final alternative(s).