Alternative Selection

If a new locally preferred alternative is presented to FHWA and CDOT, what will you do with it? CDOT and FHWA will evaluate any new proposed alternative or modification to existing alternatives for consistency with the transportation need of the project. The alternative could be evaluated between the Draft and Final PEIS, or it could be considered during Tier 2 studies conducted on the selected alternative.

How will CDOT/FHWA handle the proposal of a new alternative? Alternatives that meet the project purpose and need are included in the Draft PEIS. The alternative screening process, which included extensive public involvement, is also presented in the Draft PEIS. The determination of a preferred alternative will involve weighing the tradeoffs among the various alternatives and reviewing public comments on the Draft PEIS. CDOT and FHWA will consider these comments, evaluate new information as appropriate (including any new information to suggest a new alternative might be appropriate), and meet with the federal cooperating agencies and other key stakeholders to weigh the pros and cons of the various alternatives. The Final PEIS will include the outcome of this process and the identification of a preferred alternative.

What is the role of the MCAC in identifying the preferred alternative? Extensive public and agency involvement activities have been conducted as part of the PEIS process, including meetings with the Mountain Corridor Advisory Committee (MCAC), public open houses, and the federal interdisciplinary team. The MCAC members will be consulted for their insights according to the constituents they represent. CDOT and FHWA will also have the responsibility for consulting with the federal cooperating agencies and considering the view of the general public in the determination of a preferred alternative.

Public Concerns and Involvement

After $20 million is spent in studies, what have the taxpayers got? CDOT will have spent approximately $20 to $25 million on environmental studies on I-70. The size of this investment is commensurate with the significance of the Corridor to Colorado’s numbertwoindustry – tourism, the sensitivity of the mountain’s natural environment and its historic communities, the complexity of weekend and weekday travel demand, and the elevated desire to introduce transit into the Corridor. All of these factors have played heavily on the studies that have been needed to address community issues and resource agency concerns.

What is the difference between the Draft PEIS and September 2003 Preliminary Findings Report? The report, presented in September 2003, contained the preliminary findings of the evaluation of alternatives and their impacts. Since that time, CDOT and its consultant have continued to refine the data. It would be misleading to compare the two side by side because in the September report, for example, the findings of the Minimal Action components were reported separately from each of the other build alternatives. In the Draft PEIS, select Minimal Action components have been incorporated into each alternative. Consequently, the overall impacts are greater for all alternatives in the Draft PEIS.

Timing and Phasing

After the hearings, what is next? CDOT will collate all comments to better understand the public view of the alternatives offered and their impacts. CDOT will consider the alternative that best meets the project’s purpose and need and look carefully at the views of the cooperating agencies, agencies with regulatory authority, the Corridor stakeholders, and the general public in making a decision.

Tier 2 and Timing? Tier 2 studies will likely be initiated after the selection of a preferred alternative. This process could begin as late as 2006, although CDOT is hopeful that it can begin discussions regarding locally acceptable design solutions with communities first affected soon after a preferred alternative is known.

What happens after the Record of Decision (ROD)? After the ROD and depending on funding availability, CDOT will begin to phase the implementation of the selected alternative. This means that Tier 2 NEPA environmental evaluations (for example, environmental assessments and environmental impact statements) would be initiated for the more challenging project phases.

What is the potential for moving ahead with some “Early Actions” before the PEIS is completed? Moving ahead on any early actions will depend on funding. Early actions could include:

• Implementation of a courtesy patrol during peak weekends between C‑470 and Silverthorne to help offset some of the emergency response burden of the local agencies.
• Design and construction of ramp metering at various locations in Clear Creek County.
• Implementation of elements from the No Action alternative, including further development of the Hogback Parking Facility and Eagle County Airport Interchange; continued progress on the Straight Creek and Black Gore Creek Sediment Control Action Plans; and d esign and construction of rockfall mitigation, particularly along Georgetown Hill.
• Development of a Transportation Management organization of Corridor stakeholders to oversee and encourage peak spreading and other marketing initiatives.
• Design and construction of interchange upgrades throughout the Corridor.
• Limited highway improvement, such as lengthening or reconstructing interchange ramps.
• Improvements (such as lighting) at the Twin Tunnels.

Tier 2 NEPA studies, following the ROD for the PEIS, would occur for specific areas of improvement that would have independent utility and not preclude future action.