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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment of TransportationMontana Department of Transportation Jim Lynch, Directer July 6, 2005 2701 Prospect Avenue PO Box201001 Helena MT 59620-1001 Mayor Kenneth E. Olson, Jr. and/or Laurel City Council City of Laurel P.O. Box 10 Laurel, MT 59044 Subject: Information Request Project Name: Project No.: CN: Mossmain Interchange - East IM 90 - 8(153)437 5174 Brian Schweitzer, Governor JUL 1 1 2005 6JTY OF Dear Mayor Kenneth E. OIson, Jr. Olson and Laurel City Council Members: The Montana Department of Transportation is evaluating potential environmental impacts that may be associated with the above project. With this letter we are requesting your assistance to help us conduct a thorough analysis and we are inviting The City of Laurel to provide comments or helpful information on the proposed project. The Mossmain Interchange - East highway improvement project is located on US Interstate 90 from approximately Route Post (RP) 437.400 to RP 461.000 in both the eastbound and westbound directions, in Yellowstone County. The project passes through the urban limits of Laurel and Billings, As proposed, the project would include median slope flattening and replacement of urban Interstate Access Control Fencing (i.e., chain link fence.) At this time, the proposed project does not involve the acquisition of additional right of way. Please review the enclosed Preliminary Field Review Report for additional specific details about the proposed project. If you have comments or potentially helpful information, please forward those comments to MDT at your soonest convenience. To ensure that your comments are captured with the correct project, in all correspondence please refer to the Project Number and Control Number listed above. If MDT does not receive a written response within thirty (30) calendar days, we will assume that The City of Laurel has no comments or concerns about this proposed project. If you have any questions, please phone Heidy Bruner at 406.444.7203 or email her at hbruner@mt.gov. She will be pleased to assist you. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Tom Hansen, P.E. Engineering Section Supervisor Environmental Services Bureau TLH:hsb: S:\PROJECTS\BILLINGS\5174\5174ENTVVN CSP02.DOC encl: Preliminary Field Review Report CC: Jean A. Riley, P.E. - Chief, Environmental Services Bureau File Environrnenta~ Servk~es Bureau Engineering Division Phone: (406) 444-7228 An Equal Opportun)ty Employer TTY: (800) 335-7592 Fax; (406) 444-7245 Web Page; www. mdt. mt. gov Montana Department of Transportation Helena, Montana 59620-1001 Memorandum To: From: PaulFe ' RECEIVED MAY ~, ~i 2_O05 Hi g~ys Engineer Damian M. Krings, Road Design Engineer Date: May 16, 2005 Subject: 1M 90-8(153)437 Mossmain Interchange - East Control No. - 5174 Work Type - 312 - Slope Flattening and Fencing This is a Preliminary Field Review Report We request that you approve the Preliminary Field Review Report for the subject project. Approved ;~ ~.~(?.~..~7~.~ Date,-Iii, lo~- F.-,,~ ' Paul Fe~y, ~.~E. ~ - Highways Engineer We are requesting comments leroln the following individuals, who have also received a copy of the Report. We will assume their concurrences i£no comments are received by "5',-~.,-.e \ ~ :2.oo5, _ ~: (all with attacNnents) //Igen Juvan - EISS John Horton - RigN-of-Way Matt Strizich - Materials Sandy Straehl - Trans. Plmming Kent Barnes - Bridge Duane Williams - Traffic and Safety Job2~ Blacker - Maintenance Jean Riley - Environmental Bruce Barrett - Billings District Mac McArthur - Construction (2 copies) Damian Krings - Road Design Mark Goodman - Hydraulics Danielle Bolan - Traffic Design Bryce Larsen - Photogrammetry Walt Scott - Utilities Pien'e Jomini - Safety Managemem Rich Jackson - Geotechnical Jim Walther - Engineering Carol Strizich - Trans. Plmming Bonnie Steg - Envirom2ental Sue Sillick - Pavement Analysis Gary Larson - Trans. Planning Bill Henning -Billings District Materials John Watson - Pavement Management Joan Scott - Public Involvement Lesly Tribelhorn-Highways Alan Woodmansey - FHWA Jim Stevenson - Billings District Cc: Dave Jansen - Fiscal Programming Highway Bureau File Page 2 of 8 Pt 3ossmain lntch - East, 1M 90-8(153)437 5/17/2005 Preliminary Field Review Report A preliminary field review for the subject project was held on July 8, 2003. The following persmmel participated in this review: Gary Neville Aaron Eschler Damian Krings Jim Tompkins Geno Liva DESS Billings Design Supervisor Billings AE-Road Design Helena Surfacing Design Helena Road Design Helena Proposed Scope of Work The proposed project is nominated as a slope flattening and fencing project. A2~ticipated work: · Median Slope Flattening and · Replacement of urban Interstate Access Control Fencing chain link). This project was nominaled at the request of the district maintenance personnel. The majority of chain link fence along the project is in very poor condition, and the median inslopes are 5:1 or steeper. Proiect Location and Limits This project begins at RP 437.400 and goes to RP 461.000 on I - 00090 in both the eastbound and westbound directions, in Yellowstone County. The project passes through the urbm~ limits of Laurel and Billings. We discussed modifying the project to include approximately the first mile of 1-94, as the chain li~tk fence in this area is in the same poor condition. However, we will continue with the project as currently programmed. Necessary project splits or other program modilications will be determined before developing the Scope of Work report. Physical Characteristics 1. As-Builts: IR 90-8(94) IR 90-8(98) I 90 8 66 I 90 8 26 IR 90-1(47) IR 90-8(118) IM 90-8(139)437 2. Existing Surfacing: This project does not include surfacing and is limited to slope flattening and fencing. 3. Existing Roadside Geometries: The existing roadway is 38 feet wide, with 10:1± surfacing inslopes and variable fill slopes. The ditch sections have 5:1 to 2:1 inslopes. The median inslopes vary in grade with the depth of the fill section. The ditch bottom has 20:1 slopes. Page 3 of 8 P1 ilossrnain lntch-East, 1M 90-8(]53)437 . 5/17/2005 Traffic Data 2003 ADT -- 19,880 2004 ADT = 20,570 2024 ADT = 40,940 DHV = 4O90 Corn Trks = 13.0% ESAL = 1156 AGR = 3.5% Accident Histo~w There were 487 total accidents, including 58 truck accidents, reported for the study period from 1-1-2000 to 12-31-2002. The following are the study area rates/indices compared with the statewide rural interstate primary system averages: statewide average study area All vehicles accident rate 1.10 1.08 All vehicles severity index 2.02 ].94 All vehicles severity rate 2.20 2.10 Variations fi'om average occurrence: 62.6% dry road conditions vs. 51.6% statewide average for rural interstate 66.7% daylight vs. 55.0% statewide average for rural interstate 25.5% rear end collisions vs. 6.8% statewide average for rural interstate HES Clusters or Projects: Median crossovers were removed between reference posts 438.100 to 439.200, 440.600 to 441.100, and 453.500 to 453.900 by maintenance persmmel in 1994 and 1996 as the result of safety improvement recommendations. The bridge decks at the Mossmain Interchange were improved in project IM 90- 8(139)437, completed in 2001, as the result of an accident cluster investigation. The section of 1-90 between reference posts 442.400 and 443.100 was identified as an accident cluster location most recently in 1999. No safety improvement recommendations were made due to the construction of the Shiloh Interchange. The section of 1-90 between reference posts 443.700 and 444.200 was identified as an accident cluster location in 1993. No feasible countermeasures to address a specific crash trend were identified. The section of I-90 between reference posts 444.800 and 445.300 was identified as an accident cluster location in 1995. No feasible countermeasures to address a specific crash trend were identified. Page 4 of 8 Pl' lossmain Intch - East, IM 90-8(153)437 5/17/2005 The Billings West Interchange and vicinity was identified as an accident cluster location most recently in 2001, 2002, and 2003. No feasible countermeasures to address a specific crash trend were identified. The South Billings Boulevard Interchange and vicinity was identified as an accident cluster location most recently in 2002 and 2003. No feasible countermeasures to address a specific crash trend were identified. The sections of I~90 between reference posts 448.100 to 448.400 and 450.100 to 450.300 were identified as accident cluster locations most recently in 1995. No feasible countermeasures to address a specific crash trend were identified. The 27th Street Interchange and vicinity was identified as an accident clusler location in 2001. No feasible countermeasures to address a specific crash trend were identified. The section of 1-90 between reference posts 451.600 and 452.500 including the h'ellowstone River Bridge was identified as an accident cluster location in 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002. No feasible countermeasures to address a specific crash trend were identified. The section cfi-90 between reference posts 452.500 and 453.300, including the Lockwood Interchange, was identified as an accident cluster location in 1998,1999, 2001, and 2002. Modification to the eastbound off ramp and northbound U-1028 at the eastbound ramp temfini will be made in pending project STPHS 1099(42). The Jolmson Lane Interchange and vicinity was identified as an accident cluster location in the years 1995-1999, 2001, m~d 2002. No feasible countermeasures to address a specific crash trend were identified. The bridge decks at the Pinehill Interchange/Jct 1-94 were improved in project IM 0002(228), completed in 2000, as the result of an accident cluster investigation. Remarks: The high number of recorded crashes on this section of interstate is due to the large volmne of traffic. The accident rate, severity index, and severity rate are all below statewide averages for rural interstates. The most common crashes are collision between moving vehicles. While these crashes occurred throughout the location, they were more concenlrated at the interchanges. Modification to the West Billings Interchange are plam~ed in project BH 1010(1) West Billings - Kings Ave Bridges UPN 1050. Another project has just been initiated, CM 1099(34) 1-90 Interchange Study- Billings UPN 4917, that will analyze the interchanges at Shiloh, S. Billings Blvd, S. 27"' Street, Jolmson Lane and Lockwood. Page 5 of 8 P}-: lossraain Intch - East, 1M 90-8(153)437 5/17/2005 PvMS Recommendation PvMS recommendations are not listed because the project is a slope flattening and fencing project. Maior Design Features Design Speed- The design speed for this project is 70mph: Horizontal and Vertical Alignments- The horizontal and vertical alig~unents will be used as is. Design units will be U.S. Customary (English) as-built stationing. We will use straight-line diagrams in developing the plans package. Typical Sections~The median slopes will be flattened and the fence will be repaired or replaced but the surfaciog will remain as is. Grading- Grading will be needed on the project. The median inslopes will be graded to provide 6:1 slopes and 10:1 slopes for crossovers. Topsoil will be removed prior to grading and then it will be replaced once the slope flattening is completed. There appears to a fair amount of cover/sanding material accumulated on the median inslopes, however the need for imported topsoil/compost is not anticipated at this time. Offsite material will be required for this project. Geotechnical Considerations-There will be no Geotec}mical considerations on this project. H3;draulics- Median inlets will be adjusted as necessary. No other hydraulic issues will be addressed. Bridges- There are fourteen bridges on this project, seven in each set of lanes. n (100090437+04791 and 100090437+04792) Mossmain Interchange n (100090438+00391 and 100090438+00392) BBWA Cm~al (I00090440+02531 and 100090440+02532) Sep County Road (100090442+08261 and 100090442+08262) Canyon Creek [] (100090444+04433 and I00090444+04434) Shiloh Interchange (100090445+04541 and 100090445+04542) Hogan Slough (100090445+09641 and 100090445+06942) West Billings Interchange There will not be any structure work included on the project. Some of the bridges are listed as being "functionally obsolete and eligible for rehabilitation" by the Bridge Management System, bul bridge rehabilitation is beyond the scope of work for this project. .D'affic- Median side delineation impacted by the project will be replaced under this project. Guardrail.- The existing guardrail will be used as is. Page 6 of 8 PI' lossmain lntch - East, 1M 90-8(153)437 · 5/17/2005 Fe~*cing- The project includes upgrading the urban access control (chain lit&) fencing. Portions of the chain lix~ fence have lost the galvanization and have extensive rus~t. Other portions of the fence have not lost the galvanization but are damaged in places and are in need of repair. These portions will be repaired, and the portions with extensive rust will be replaced. Median Turnarounds- Though not identified in the nominated scope of work, the district maintenance persom~el should consider the locations and functipn of in-place emergency and maiutenance vehicle turnarounds and recommend improvements if necessary. Design Exceptions Design exceptions are not. anticipated. Right of Way No new right of way is required fol' this project, as the access control fence is located withiu the existing interstate R/W. The need for construction permits is not anticipated at lhis time. Utilities/Railroad I1 is not anticipated that any utilities will be impacled. This~project will have no railroad involvement. Environmental Considerations An indMdual Programmatic Categorical Exclusion will be prepared for this project. This project will not impact any wetlands, riparian areas, historic or culturally sensitive areas. The proposed work should have no effect on tl~'eatened or endangered species. SPA 124 and COE 404 permits will not be required. There are no 6(f) or 4(f) properties within the project limits. Erosion and sediment control will be accomplished with Best Management Practices (BMPs). The need for BMPs should be limited to inlet protection at the median inlets, erosion seeding, and possibly waddles in areas of steeper gradients. Traffic Control Traffic will be maintained tkroughout the project construction locations with appropriate signing and flagging in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devi6es. Sarvey The Billings district will complete a data collector survey fol' the project. The Design Project Manager will request the necessary survey. The Survey will be based ou reestablished as-built centerline stationing, and will likely include cross sections of the median at drainage features, terrain/width breaks, mad otherwise every 200 feet. The location/condition of the urban access control fence (by station and offset) will also be required. Public Invoh,ement The Public Involvement Plan will be limited to providing a news release to the appropriate newspapers explaining the project. Page 7 of 8 PI: lossmain lntch- East, IM 90-8(153)437 5/17/2005 Cost Estimate The cost to construct this projec't is estimated to be: $2,100,000. The estimate includes both the CN cost and approximately a ten percent CE cost. It does not include indirect costs, Read,,, Date The current read), date for this project is November 2007, though the last published 5 year Tentative Construction Plan lists the project as a February 2007 letting. The ready date may be adjusted following activity overrides, and prioritization of current projects in the district's Interstate Maintenance program. Related Projects Several pavement preservation or engineered overlay projects are programmed within the limits of this project. Although not tied for construction at this time, consideration will be given to tie some or all of this proposed work with adjoining surfacing projects. Negative public feedback has been received on other MDT projects that included median slope flattening, including roadway resurfacing projects. Project Management Gary Neville, Billings District Engineering Services Supervisor, will be the Preliminary Engineering phase PM for this project. District personnel will design the project, and Aaron Eschler, District Design Supervisor, will be the project FM for ali remaining road design activities. Attached: site map Il