[email protected] Welcome Welcome! Please sign in. Your participation is important! Thank you for taking the time to get involved!

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WelcomeWelcome!

Please sign in.

Your participation is important!

Thank you

for taking the time to get involved!

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MODOT is studying transportation issues along 257 miles of

I-44 between the Missouri/Oklahoma state line and the

St. Louis/Franklin county line. The issues cover a wide

range of factors such as traffic operations, safety, highway

design elements and system condition.

The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to present information

related to the issues and obtain input from you, the I-44

users, to help us better understand the needs and uses of

the corridor. Please review the exhibits and share your

thoughts, information and questions with the study team.

Why We Are Why We Are HereHere

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There are six stations at tonight’s meeting with

information that will help you understand the purpose

and process of this study. Please take the time to visit all

six stations.

At Stations 5 & 6 we would like your input on issues that

concern you about I-44. You can mark up project maps

at Station 5 with information we should know, and

provide written or oral comments, or both, at Station 6.

What you will find at each station:

Station 1: Background

Station 2: Engineering Data Issues

Station 3: Environmental Resources

Station 4: Working Maps

Station 5: Public Comment Forms

Station 6: What’s Next?

Summary of Summary of StationsStations

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1This station includes background information about I-44, the

study purpose and scope, explains the NEPA process, and

defines a Purpose and Need Statement.

Project Purpose: To seek the most effective approach to

improving the I-44 transportation corridor in Missouri.

This Purpose and Need Study will:

Identify Transportation Problems

Establish Evaluation Criteria

Determine Modal Strategies

Establish Logical Termini

Present Environmental, Planning, Engineering and Traffic

Data which affects all of the above.

We encourage you to stay involved.

Station 1:Station 1:Project Background

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I-44 in Missouri was originally designed and constructed from

the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. It plays a key role in serving

the state’s commercial and recreational traffic. In addition, I-

44 is part of the I-44/I-40 corridor that extends from California

to Missouri. Existing traffic volumes on I-44 vary from 19,000

vehicles per day to nearly 72,000 vehicles per day, and travel

along the interstate is expected to increase significantly in the

future.

Given the critical importance of I-44 to the state’s economy,

the age of the facility, increasing traffic volumes and rapid

growth along portions of the study corridor, MoDOT and its

planning partners determined it was time to begin the first

step in assessing the extent of the deficiencies and needs

along the corridor.

I-44 BackgroundI-44 Background

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The purpose of this I-44 study is to develop a

comprehensive list of transportation issues along the I-44

study corridor, translate those issues into a purpose and

need statement and identify sections of I-44, known as

sections of independent utility, that would make appropriate

stand-alone improvement projects in the future.

Key study activities include the following:

Data Gathering

Community Involvement

Land Use Forums

Agency Coordination

Purpose and Need Statement

Study Purpose & Study Purpose & ScopeScope

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The NEPA process requires that transportation decisions

balance such important factors as engineering and

transportation needs with social, economic and natural

environmental factors.

During the process, a wide range of partners, including

the public, businesses, interest groups and government

agencies provide input into project and environmental

decisions.

What is NEPAWhat is NEPA??

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

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NEPA requires a “purpose and need statement” for proposed actions.

The purpose statement identifies the objectives to be achieved.

The needs statement identifies the problem that does, or will, exist.

The Purpose and Need Statement is not intended to propose a particular solution. It is used to:

Define the issue(s) and clarify the desired outcome.

Guide the development of a reasonable range of

alternatives.

Develop criteria to measure the alternative solutions.

Justify alternatives moved forward during the screening

process.

This statement would serve as the starting point for detailed

analyses in the future.

What is a Purpose What is a Purpose and Need and Need

Statement?Statement?

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2The exhibits at this station describe the engineering

data the study team has collected along I-44 and the

issues that have been identified. As noted, the issues

described at this station will be included in the project’s

Purpose and Need Statement.

This station includes detailed analyses of the following:

Crash Data

Traffic Data

Roadway Geometrics

Station 2:Station 2:Engineering Data

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Level of ServiceLevel of Service

Free flow; low volumes and high speeds; most drivers can select their own speedA

Stable flow; speeds somewhat restricted by traffic; standard LOS used for rural highway design throughout the U.S

BStable flow; speed controlled by traffic; standard LOS used for urban highway design throughout the U.S.

CApproaching unstable flow; lower speedsDUnstable flow; low, varied speeds; volumes at or near capacityEForced flow; low speeds to stoppages; volume exceeds capacityF

Level of Service (LOS) is a measure of how effectively a highway can move the volume of traffic it carries. Ranging from LOS A (free-flow conditions) to LOS F (gridlock), the measure takes into account the driver’s speed, freedom to maneuver and proximity to other vehicles. See photographs and descriptions to the right.

Of course a highway facility operates at different levels of service at different times of the day. Traffic operations during peak periods like morning and evening rush hour are much different than the middle of the night, for example.

As engineers plan for I-44 improvements, they must determine the number of lanes and basic design needed to reach a minimum level of service during peak periods in the future. This ensures that traffic operations will be acceptable during the busiest times, but also means traffic will not operate perfectly all the time.

Consider the design of a parking lot at a shopping mall. A properly designed lot would be very congested the morning after Thanksgiving, but traffic would move and spaces would be available – similar to LOS D. On average mornings, there would be very little traffic and spaces would be readily available – similar to LOS A. To design this parking lot for no congestion and ample parking spaces the day after Thanksgiving would not be a wise use of resources and would result in substantial impacts to the surrounding area.

The same concept can be applied in planning and designing roadways. Consistent with standards used throughout the country, the minimum LOS being used for I-44 during peak periods in the future is C in the rural areas, and D in urban areas. That means during the busiest times, traffic will move well, and at other times it will operate better.

LOS Information Source: Highway Capacity Manual 2000, Transportation Research Board.

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3The exhibits at this station describe the environmental data

that the study team has been collecting along I-44.

Because of the large study area, most data comes from

searches of various statewide databases. More detailed

field studies will be conducted in future phases of the

project.

The location of sensitive resources will be considered by

MoDOT in a future project phase when I-44 alternatives

are developed. Local residents are very valuable sources

for identifying important resources. Please let us know of

any resources that the study team should consider.

Station 3:Station 3:Environmental Data

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4The most important activity tonight occurs at this

station. Tell us about your community’s needs,

issues and opportunities!

Steps for this station:

1. Identify the area on the map where you would

like to make a comment.

2. Tell a study team member or write any additional

engineering or environmental issues in this area

on the map.

Station 4:Station 4:Tell us what we need to know!

MoDOT’s proactive efforts in soliciting stakeholder input on issues affecting I-44 in conjunction with the establishment of the project’s Purpose & Need are consistent with the requirements of Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU relating to stakeholder and agency input at key steps during the NEPA process.

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5Your input is a key factor in this study. Your comments,

ideas, and thoughts are valued. At this station, please

take a moment to record your thoughts to ensure that

the study team understands your concerns.

Also at this station, find out how you can stay involved

and where to find more information about the study.

We want your comments:

Written comment form (drop-off tonight or mail-in)

Website:www.modot.org/i44planningforprogress

Station 5:Station 5:Your comments are important!

MoDOT’s proactive efforts in soliciting stakeholder input on issues affecting I-44 in conjunction with the establishment of the project’s Purpose & Need are consistent with the requirements of Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU relating to stakeholder and agency input at key steps during the NEPA process.

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Visit Our Web Sitewww.modot.org/i44planningforprogress

E-mail [email protected]

Sign Up for the NewsletterPlease include your name, email, address,and zip code on the sign-in sheet.

Write UsI-44 Planning for ProgressAttn: Charles Pursley, MoDOT Project Manager105 W. Capitol AvenueP.O. Box 270Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270

Call Us1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636)

How to Stay How to Stay InvolvedInvolved

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6Station 6:Station 6:

By first identifying the nature of the transportation

issues that face I-44, we can

then…

….move on to the development and

evaluation of alternatives that can solve the identified

issues. Eventually…

…the solution that best solves the

transportation issues and minimizes

impacts will emerge.

Th

is S

tud

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utu

re E

ffort

s

What’s Next for I-44?

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Following these public information meetings, the study

team will continue to develop the Purpose and Need

Statement, taking into account the input we’ve received

tonight.

Among the key results of the completed Purpose and Need

Statement will be:

The identification of the transportation problems that

affect I-44. These problems will drive the establishment

of alternatives that will be investigated in the future.

The establishment of Sections of Independent Utility

(SIUs) – sections of I-44 that are logical to study as

standalone projects.

What’s Next for this What’s Next for this Purpose and Need Purpose and Need

Study?Study?

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Environmental Process

Next in National Next in National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA) Process(NEPA) Process

We are here

Scoping

Purpose & Need

Due Early 2008

Evaluation Criteria

Alternative Screening

Alternative Development

1

2

3

4

5

Formal Public Comment on

DEIS

Record of Decision (ROD)

Formal Public Comment on

FEIS

6

7

8

9

10

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

(DEIS)

Final Environmental Impact Statement

(FEIS)

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After appropriate improvements (preferred alternatives) are

identified, construction and funding need to be resolved.

Preliminary estimates suggest that improvements to I-44 could

cost billions of dollars.

Among the funding mechanisms under consideration are:

Prioritization – to allow construction to occur as needed.

Design-Build – a technique to fast-track the design/

construction process.

Legislative Actions – among the ideas currently being

discussed in the Missouri General Assembly are truck-only

lanes on I-44 and I-70 with a combination of funding

strategies.

Construction and Construction and FundingFunding

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ScheduleSchedule

2008Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

Approved P&N Document

Public Information Meetings`

Newsletters

Land Use Forums

Note: Civic meetings will occur as they are requested

Schedule

I-44 Purpose & Need Study

Final Purpose & Need

Traffic and Safety Analyses

Draft Purpose & Need

Data Collection Eng/Env/Socio Economic

Data Analysis Eng/Env/Socio Economic

Establish Sections of Independent Utility

2007

PIP Workshop

Public Information Meetings

Newsletter 1

Newsletter 2

Land Use Forums