Meeting Objectives Update project status Review Community Advisory - PDF document

COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP MEETING #3 November 30, 2010 Meeting Objectives  Update project status  Review Community Advisory Group Meeting #2  Discuss Draft Purpose and Need Report  Present evaluation criteria  Present evaluation process 1

Project Status Purpose and Need Development PROBLEM STATEMENT • CAG WORKSHOP • COMMUNITY CONTEXT SURVEY PURPOSE AND NEED REPORT ENGINEERING ANALYSIS • CRASH DATA ANALYSIS CRASH DATA ANALYSIS • TRAFFIC DATA ANALYSIS PUBLIC AND AGENCY COORDINATION 2

Project Purpose The purpose of the proposed action is to identify transportation solutions that will address congestion and mobility problems in the Weber Road corridor identified in the study area, improve community connectivity , and improve access for commercial and residential users of I ‐ 55 and Weber Road. residential users of I ‐ 55 and Weber Road Project Purpose The purpose of the proposed action is to identify transportation solutions that will address congestion and mobility problems in the Weber Road corridor identified in the study area, improve community connectivity , and improve access for commercial and residential users of I ‐ 55 and Weber Road. residential users of I ‐ 55 and Weber Road 3

Purpose and Need Report Need: Address Operational Deficiencies Technical Analysis Problem Statement Stakeholder Input Traffic signal delay High volume turn Signals (traffic/ movements pedestrian) Unacceptable level of service on Weber Road service on Weber Road Inadequate lane Inadequate lane Street lighting/ Street lighting/ and I ‐ 55 ramps marking pedestrian lighting Merging issues Roadways compatible to existing businesses Poor signage Roadways compatible Traffic signal delay to existing commuting patterns Purpose and Need Report Need: Improve Capacity Technical Analysis Problem Statement Stakeholder Input Projected increase in High volume of trucks Industrial centers and traffic volumes commercial areas No alternate north ‐ Substandard geometrics Substandard geometrics south routes south routes Commuter corridor Commuter corridor (travel lanes, Inadequate access to I ‐ Congestion and delay intersections) 55 Congestion 4

Purpose and Need Report Need: Improve Safety Technical Analysis Problem Statement Stakeholder Input High number of crashes Motorist delay Traffic Safety Multi ‐ modal conflicts Prevents efficient access Congestion and delay High number of rear ‐ Congestion end and sideswipe collisions Crashes data consistent with congestion Purpose and Need Report Need: Increase Access to Alternative Transportation Technical Analysis Problem Statement Stakeholder Input Lack of transit options Lack of pedestrian, Handicap accessibility ADA, and bike facilities Bicycle/pedestrian Sidewalks and access is limited access is limited Limited alternative Limited alternative pedestrian crossings pedestrian crossings transportation choices Bike lanes/recreation Improve pedestrian facilities access and bike path continuity 5

Purpose and Need Report Need: Improve Safety Technical Analysis Problem Statement Stakeholder Input High number of crashes Motorist delay Traffic Safety Multi ‐ modal conflicts Prevents efficient access Congestion and delay High number of rear ‐ Congestion end and sideswipe collisions Crashes data consistent with congestion Purpose and Need Report Need: Improve Safety Technical Analysis Problem Statement Stakeholder Input High number of crashes Motorist delay Traffic Safety Multi ‐ modal conflicts Prevents efficient access Congestion and delay High number of rear ‐ Congestion Handicap accessibility end and sideswipe Lack of pedestrian, Sidewalks and collisions ADA, and bike facilities pedestrian crossings Crashes data consistent Improve pedestrian Bike lanes/recreation with congestion access and bike path facilities No crosswalks or continuity continuous bike paths 6

Identified Needs  Address operational deficiencies  Improve capacity  Improve safety  Increase access to alternative transportation  I t lt ti t t ti Identified Needs  Address operational deficiencies  Improve capacity  Improve safety  Increase access to alternative transportation  I t lt ti t t ti 7

Purpose and Need Report QUESTIONS??? Project Status Identify Context Context Define and Evaluation Define Preferred Evaluate Criteria Problem Alternative Alternatives Identify Stakeholders Considerations Considerations Stakeholder Considerations / Community Assets Environmental Considerations / Compatibility with the Environment Engineering Considerations / Transportation Needs 8

Transportation Performance Measures Transportation Performance Measures NEED Address  Assess existing conditions  Assess existing conditions Operational  Evaluate alternatives on Deficiencies addressing design issues Improve Performance metrics may include: Capacity p y  Design deficiencies  Design deficiencies  Right ‐ of ‐ Way  Construction Costs Improve Safety 9

Transportation Performance Measures NEED Address  Baseline condition will be 2040  Baseline condition will be 2040 Operational (no improvements) Deficiencies  Evaluate alternatives on projected changes in travel conditions Improve Capacity p y Performance metrics may include:  Level of Service (LOS)  Right ‐ of ‐ Way  Construction Costs Improve Safety Transportation Performance Measures NEED Address  Assess existing conditions  Assess existing conditions Operational  Evaluate safety performance of Deficiencies each alternative Performance metrics may include: Improve  Adherence to safety standards Capacity p y  Projected change in crashes Projected change in crashes from 2040 baseline  ADA Compliance Improve Safety  Pedestrian/bicycle compatible 10

Environmental Measures Social and Natural Resources  Wetlands  Air Quality  Floodplains  Traffic Noise  Threatened and  Multi ‐ Use Trails Endangered Species  Trees and Vegetation  Parks/Recreation Areas  Surface Water Resources  Agricultural Land  Groundwater  Special Wastes  Economic and Business  Public Facilities 11

NEPA Umbrella • Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 • Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 • Americans with Disabilities Act, 1991 • Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice) • Noise 23 CFR 772 • Section 4(f) of USDOT Act (49 USC 303) • Wetlands 23 CFR 777 • Clean Air Act • National Historic Preservation Act • Clean Water Act 404 • Economic, Social and Environmental • Executive Order 11990 (Protection of Effects Wetlands) ) • Highway Noise Standards • Endangered Species Act • Public Hearing Requirements 23 USC 128 • Farmland Protection Policy Act • Archaeological and Historic Preservation • Solid Waste Disposal Act Act • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of • Archaeological Resources 1976 Protection Act • And more… What is a Wetland? Importance of Wetlands • Improve water quality • Provide wildlife habitat • Adds flood control • Filters nutrients • Groundwater recharge Wetlands are transitional areas between wet and dry areas, defined by specific plants, soil, and hydrology. 12

Wetlands in the Study Area What are floodplains? Areas adjacent to a body of water that store floodwater during flood events Importance of Floodplains • Flood control • Reduces flow velocity Source: Google Maps 13

Floodplains in the Study Area What are threatened/endangered species? An endangered species is a plant or animal at risk of An endangered species is a plant or animal at risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range A threatened species is a plant or animal likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future 14

What T&E species are in the Study Area? • Currently under review • • Environmental Survey Request submitted for IDNR review Environmental Survey Request submitted for IDNR review. • 64 plant and animal species in Will County Iowa Darter Blanding’s Turtle Ear ‐ leafed fox glove Recreational Areas Any publicly owned park, recreational area, or wildlife and waterfowl refuge or a historic site (publicly or f hi i i ( bli l privately owned) of national, state, or local significance 15

Recreational properties in the Study Area? What are agricultural lands? Land used for the Land used for the production of crops or raising livestock 16

Agricultural lands in the Study Area What is groundwater? Water located below surface in such a quantity the soil l d b l f i h i h il pore spaces become saturated with water. Class I – Drinking Water Class II – Other Groundwater 17

Groundwater ‐ Setback Zone A A setback zone is a tb k i geographic area containing a public or private well with restrictions on land uses within that zone uses within that zone to protect water supply. Groundwater wells in the Study Area 18