HomeMy WebLinkAboutRockvale to Laurel NewsletterProject Description & Update
?eem, This newsletter provides an update and
01 extends invitation for you to be
involved in in planning for reconstruction
of Highway 212. Over 130 people
Ta" E attended the first Public Information
CLOCK
Meeting and Open House on August
30th. The gathering provided an
opportunity for attendees to be
introduced to the reconstruction project,
ew the extent of the study, comment on three alternative
idors and let the planners know about their concerns. Most
icipants were actively involved in discussing the alternatives
specific concerns. Less than one third of the people
menting to date have expressed a clear preference for one of
corridors. The West Bench and Existing Corridor have
ived the broadest support.
its emphasize the need for safety and the importance of
ing a broad array of environmental issues. Participants
st meetingviewed exhibits, listened to presentations and
about the planning process. They told the Montana
rent of Transportation (MDT) and the consultant,
CH2MHILL, what they were thinking, offered ideas about the
existing roadway, roadway engineering and environmental design
considerations, corridor alternatives and the planning process.
(Refer to the related articles below for a summary ofcomments.)
The public's ideas, along with technical analysis, resulted in
four preliminary alternative proposals on highway location. You
are encouraged to attend a second meeting to learn more about
these proposals and comment on the preliminary alternative road
locations. Preliminary alternatives on location include
reconstruction of the highway on or close to the existing highway,
as well as construction of a new road to the east or west (Refer
to Invitation, back page for details on the meeting)
The MDT proposes to reconstruct Highway 212 between
Rockvale and Laurel. Increasing the capacity along this route is
expected to reduce congestion and reduce the incidence and
severity of accidents. The proposed project begins at Rockvale,
Carbon County, and proceeds approximately 11.2 miles (18 Ian)
to just south of Laurel, Yellowstone County. The study, public
involvement and preparation of an Environmental Impact State-
ment (EIS) are expected to take two years. The planning process
will determine the most appropriate location, design and alterna-
tives for the future reconstruction.
Safety of Highway is Public's Highest Priority
of the end of October, nearly 200 comments have been received. The comments fall into four general categories
Iressing 1) Safety, 2) Environmental Considerations, 3) Process and Scope of the Project and 4) Engineering Design.
t table below provides a general summary of comments to date. A complete record will be available for public review at
second public meeting. Individual comments are listed from most frequent to least frequent.
.Expressed general concern about the safety of the existing highway
.Requested safer accommodations for school buses
.Suggested that the speed limit should be lowered
.Requested safer access for existing residents and consideration of access control
.Requested safer accommodations for cyclists, joggers and pedestrians
-Expressed concerns regarding the safety of the Rallroad Highway interface
-Expressed concern over emergency response time
38% Of Total Comments Pertain to Safety
-Impacts to future & existing development patterns Lenee7
-Impacts to water resources
-Farmland, wildlife and biological resources Utilities -Geology & soils
-Construction cost
-Historic Properties
-Hazardous Materials
33% Of Total Comments Pertain to Environmental Considerations
-Information requests related to traffic including type, volume and destination
-Questions related to MDT's responsibility for existing road if a new road is built
-Related to scope and process
14% Of Total Comments Pertain to Process and Scope
-Design suggestions related to width of turn lanes, road location and passing zones
-Related to roadway aesthetics: visual quality, landscaping and billboard controls
15% Of Total Comments Pertain to Engineering Design Concerns
Preliminary
Alignment Alternatives
HWY 212 Rockvale to Laurel
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ALIGNMENT
ALTERNATIVE(
Preliminary Alignment
Alternatives
This map illustrates routes currently
being considered and evaluated. These
will be explained in greater detail at the
November 13th Public Meeting. Please
plan to attend and comment on the
options. Your comments will be
considered in the evaluation process.
FAQ's Frequently Asked Questions
What percent of traffic is through versus local?
We estimate that 70 to 80% of the traffic is "through" traffic; that
is, those vehicles without destinations on US 212 between a point
south of 1.90 and the intersection with SR 310 at Rockvale. This
estimate is based on a comparison of the highest traffic volume
(5,900 vehicles per day at the Yellowstone/Carbon County Line) with
the lower of the two traffic volumes at either end of the project
(5,100 vehicles per day south of 1-90 and 5,200 vehicles per day at
Rockvale). Note that the "percent through vehicles" depends on
where you are standing. At this time it is estimated that about 4,000
vehicles per day travel through the project area.
When, who and on what basis will the food right-0f--way width
be determined?
A width of 80 meters is being used for this presentation. 80
meters represents a reasonable planning width for width of roadway
and associated features. There are numerous factors contributing to
the determination of right-of-way width. These include terrain, need
for shoulders and safety clearzones, the number of lanes and whether
or not there will be a median. Additional width could be needed in
specific locations for frontage roads and other local access
considerations. The final right-of-way width is literally not known
until the final design is underway. Up to that time increasingly accurate
assumptions are used to fairly present and assess the effects of the
project.
At this stage, the width of shoulders and clearzones are
reasonably fixed. At this time we are considering enough width for
four lanes. We believe this to be reasonable, based on preliminary
traffic analyses. Whether the roadway will be two lanes, three
lanes or four lanes will be determined by the projected traffic volumes,
access Issues and a number of other technical factors. We are In
the process of gathering and Interpreting available traffic counts,
and anticipate the need for acquiring additional traffic counts at
several strategic locations along the existing roadway.
We have Included 60 feet for a median. This is a good nominal
value if a divided roadway is to be constructed. That decision is not
yet made. The full range of values could be 0 to 100 feet (no median
or additional width at Intersections to facilitate truck and farm
equipment crossings.) -
The width of the right-of-way also will vary depending on the
need for cut and fill slopes. In the planning band presented at the
next public meeting, we have enough width to accommodate 2 to 3
meters of difference in elevation between the roadway and the
adjacent terrain. This should be adequate over much of the length of
the alternatives shown. However a far more detailed study Is required
to refine this further.
When, who and on what basis will thermal road alignment be
determined?
The final road alignment is determined through the NEPA (National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969) process. Alternatives are
developed within the NEPA framework based on public input,
engineering requirements, MDTs needs and requirements, and traffic
needs. The alternatives are then evaluated relative to impacts on the
human and natural environments and in meeting the purpose and
need of the project. The results of the analysis are then presented in
the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), The preferred
alignment is chosen by MDT based on the results of the analysis.
This will be presented to the public In 2002 for their comment. The
results of public Input are evaluated and a final alignment is chosen
by MDT and presented in the Final EIS and Record of Decision.
When will we be able to see the results of the analysis of
alternative alignments?
The final results of the analysis will be presented In the DEIS. As
the analysis moves along, Interim updates will be posted on the
website and included in future mailings of the newsletter.
When will we be able to see the results
of the evaluation of the alternatives?
The project website will be periodically
updated with new information, and the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) will be issued, with a public
comment period to follow, before the EIS
Is finalized.
When is the next public meeting?
We do not have another Public Meeting like this one scheduled.
Depending on public input from this meeting and other Input during the
detailed analysis of the alignments, another meeting can be scheduled
if necessary.
What are the current and projected traffic volumes?
MDT estimates that the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) on US
212 will increase at the rate of 1.5 percent per year over the next 25
years. At the highest volume location, in the vicinity of the Yellowstone/
Carton County Line, initial estimates provided by MDT Indicate existing
(2000) AADT of 5,900 vehicles per day (vpd), Increasing to 8,600 vpd
In 2025.
South of 1-90, the estimated existing and future AADT volumes are
5,100 vpd and 7,600 vpd. At Rockvale the estimated AADT values
are 5,200 and 7,600 vpd for years 2000 and 2025 respectively.
When will the web-site be up?
We have a website currently under construction and is expected to
be fully operational by the end of November. The website address is:
hftp://projects.ch2m.com/rackvale
When will road construction begin?
This project is currently funded through the final EIS and Record of
Decision (ROD), which will include a conceptual design. The project
schedule anticipates a ROD to be issued In July 2003. MDT will have to
secure additional funding for the final design and construction. Typically
a project of this nature would require 2 years to complete the final
design, preparation of the construction plans and acquisition of the
right-of-way. Depending on the alternative chosen, construction could
take anywhere from 18-38 months after that.
How will MDT be acquiring properties for the necessary Right-
of-Way?
MDT prefers to negotiate with landowners. On most of the recent
projects MDT has been successful with negotiations and has avoided
condemnation.
What will happen to the edsting road if the new road is built
in another location? Whose jurisdiction?
For all the alternatives presented here, the existing road will remain
open for local access, and would remain under the jurisdiction of the
Montana Department of Transportation. More specifically, the Montana
Code Section 60-2.203 states "Maintenance responsibility. (1) The
department shall maintain all public highways or portions of public
highways that it maintained on July 1, 1976,"
Newsletters will be sent out ^`
periodically to keep the qjj.
public informed of the -VA
progress.
Would you like to tell us what you think .............. : F,
We are willing to listen) Several methods are available for the public to provide comments.
r
• Attend public meetings -comments recorded via survey, tape recording and computer input.
• Comment through E-mail at Hwvstudv@mcn.net
-Fax -Attn: Rockvale to Laurel Road Study - (406) 259-4963
• Letter -Send to: Project Team @ Fischer & Associates • 2815 Montana Avenue • Billings MT 59101
-or-
MDT District Office • P.O. Box 20437 • Billings, MT 59104-4138
• Phone Project Team (406) 294-9142 or MDT District (406) 252-4138
or-
- Visit the Website at: http://projects.ch2m.com/rockvale
All attendees at public meetings will receive future correspondence including newsletters, meeting invitations and notice
of the completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
YOU'RE INVITED ?.
Information Meeting & Open House • x e
0A Proposed Transportation Improvement Project • •
Highway 212, Rockvale - Laurel
The Montana Department of Transportation invites you to discuss the proposed reconstruction of Hwy. 212, between Rockvale and Laurel.
Increasing the capacity along this route is expected to reduce congestion, and the incidence and severity of accidents.
This meeting will be held in Laurel on November 13th from 4:30 PM -9:00 PM at the South Elementary School gym, (NEW LOCATION) 606
S.W. Fifth Street. Presentations will be at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Displays showing alternative road locations and opportunities for public
comment will continue throughout the evening.
The project begins at Rockvale in Carbon Co. and extends 11.2 miles (18km) to just South of Laurel in -Yellowstone Co. This study, public
involvement and preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement are expected to take two years. The planning process will determine
the appropriate location, design and alternatives for the road.
We'd like to hear your suggestions or comments. -
• For information or to comment please contact: - - •
• Bruce Barrett, District Administrator (406) 252-4136 or The Project Consultant (406) 2949142or HwyStudy@mcn.net, •
• To•eangespee lsccommo ions for Mwepm= viib disabiffim cap MDTai(406)499-96000 TDO(600) 3357592
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Hwy. 212 Study
c/o Fischer & Associates
2815 Montana Ave.
Billings, MT 59101
Z
I=.
CITY OF LAUREL
Clerk/Treasurer
Mary Embleton
P.O. Box 10
Laurel, MT 59044-
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