Development of Alternatives

Alternatives for improvement were developed to meet future travel demand and to minimize impacts to the community and the natural environment. These alternatives were developed with input, from the public and local government and environmental agencies, collected throughout the study process. The “No Build” alternative, or the alternative to make no improvements, remained a viable alternative throughout the study.

Analysis of Alternatives

The alternatives developed were compared based on community and environmental impacts, costs for design and construction engineering inspection, right-of-way acquisition and construction and wetland mitigation. Public comment and sentiment was also considered during this analysis. Several environmental studies were conducted and used in this analysis. These include:

• Air Quality – Assessing existing conditions and determining ways to conform with the Clean Air Act

• Noise – Determining if the project will increase noise levels.

• Wetlands – Finding the best way to avoid or mitigate long-term and short-term impacts to wetlands.

• Water Quality – Implementing measures to prevent, reduce, or eliminate pollution of ground and surface waters.

• Wildlife and Habitat Impacts – Efforts are made to protect and ensure the continued existence of threatened and/or endangered species and their habitat.

• Contamination – Identifying, evaluating and recommending actions concerning contamination problems within and/or adjacent to the project.

• Floodplains – The Location Hydraulics Report documents the efforts to minimize or avoid encroaching within the floodplains through drainage system design.

• Archeological and Historic Sites – Documentation is also required to protect historic and archeologically significant sites.