Case Studies - CDOT

1. CDOT Region One: US 285 (Conifer to Fairplay) Feasibility Study
   

   This project was a feasibility study for 53 miles of US 285 from Conifer to Fairplay. It included public and agency involvement, environmental data collection, traffic data collection and development and screening of alternatives.

   A number of techniques were used that linked the feasibility study with the subsequent NEPA process. These included:

   • Extensive public involvement.
   • Collection of GIS-based data that was used to define purpose and need (such as travel time and sight-restricted areas) and engineering constraints.
   • Collection of environmental baseline data (wetlands, historic properties) and coordination with resource agencies.
   • Surveying and mapping.
   • Definition of corridor with independent utility that could proceed as an EIS.
   • Development and screening of a range of alternatives.

   The benefits of these LPN techniques were solid documentation of purpose and need to begin NEPA-defensible documentation of the range of alternatives so that the subsequent NEPA analysis could focus only on the reasonable alternatives and various design refinements, knowledge of the environmental constraints so that the design refinements focused on ways to avoid and minimize these impacts which then resulted in a downgrading of the EIS to an EA, public involvement that had already been established, surveying and mapping that had already been done, and environmental mitigation concepts that had already been developed. The subsequent NEPA study was able to be accomplished in less time and money and construction was able to begin.

   Contact person: 
   Michelle Li - (303) 365-7041
   Region Planning and Environmental Manager

2. CDOT Region Four: Environmental Overview Studies
   

   There were three of these projects that CDOT Region Four initiated and were ongoing between 2004 and 2006. The purpose of these was to develop future right-of-way and access needs along various corridors that were receiving development pressure, so that local agencies could utilize the future right-of-way needs as development plans were considered.

   The techniques that were used to link planning and NEPA consisted of:
   • Collection of purpose and need data.
   • Collection of data on environmentally sensitive sites.
   • Development and screening of a range of alternatives.
   • Public and local agency involvement.

   The benefits of these techniques were development of purpose and need that could be utilized as a basis for future NEPA processes, development of solid partnerships with local agencies, collection of environmental resource data so that the reasonable alternatives that resulted were able to avoid and minimize impacts, and solid documentation of alternatives that had been screened.

   Contact person:
   Myron Hora - (970) 350-2263
   Region Planning and Environmental Manager

3. CDOT Region Four and CDOT DTD: Strategic Transportation, Environmental and Planning Process for Urbanizing Areas (STEP UP)
   
   This process used a GIS-based database to provide better decision-making tools to local and regional planners as projects are developed during the RTP and TIP process.
   
   The techniques that were used to link planning and subsequent NEPA included:
   • Coordination with resource agencies.
   • Development of an environmental screening process to be used for updating the RTP.
   • Development of a more detailed pre-TIP environmental review process.

   The benefits of this process are anticipated to be identification of RTP and TIP projects that more adequately protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote community values. Subsequent NEPA processes are anticipated to be more streamlined through early coordination with resource agencies, early assessment of potential environmental impacts and required environmental mitigation, and preliminary cost estimates for subsequent NEPA studies.

   Contact persons:
   Myron Hora - (970) 350-2263
   Region Planning and Environmental Manager
   Aaron Willis - (303) 512-4019
   DTD (Division of Transportation Development)

4. CDOT Region Six: Major Investment Studies for SE Corridor, US 36, I-70 East
   
   These projects were all initiated in the mid 1990s to identify and evaluate a range of alternatives for the corridors and to determine general location and mode of likely improvements so that they could then be placed in the Regional Transportation Plan.
   
   Specific strategies that were used to link these major investment studies with the subsequent EIS were:
   • Collection of detailed land use and traffic/transportation data that was used to document purpose and need.
   • Development and screening of preliminary alternatives.
   • Collection of environmental resource data.
   • Establishment of extensive public and agency involvement programs.
   • Identification of possible environmental mitigation concepts.

   The benefits of these strategies to the subsequent EISs varied by corridor but generally included:

   • Easier documentation of purpose and need, used in the Notices of Intent.
   • Selection of a general location and mode of transportation improvement to guide the identification of the range of NEPA alternatives.
   • Quicker narrowing of alternatives to be considered in the EISs.
   • Already established public and agency partnerships.
   • Identification of environmental resources that could be used as a stepping stone to environmental baseline data collection.
   • Development of corridor cost estimates.

   Contact person:
   Jim Paulmeno - (303) 757-9385
   Region Planning and Environmental Manager

5. CDOT Region Six: Wadsworth/Grandview
   
   This project was an environmental assessment and conceptual engineering for a railroad grade separation at the intersection of Wadsworth and Grandview in Arvada, Colorado.
   
   The technique that was used to link planning and subsequent NEPA included utilizing the Wadsworth Bypass/Burlington Northern Railroad Grade Separation Feasibility Study completed in 2002, as the basis for the EA in terms of alternatives development, screening results, and selection of the Preferred Alternative.
   
   The benefit of this strategy included not redoing the alternatives development and screening process during the EA but reconfirmed the outcome of this process with the community to proceed. This approach saved approximately 6 months in project schedule.

   Contact person:
   Jim Paulmeno - (303) 757-9385
   Region Planning and Environmental Manager

6. CDOT Region Six: Arapahoe Road Corridor Study, I-25 to Parker Road
   
   The Arapahoe Road Corridor Study is identifying and evaluating the most appropriate set of improvement options to address growing transportation needs through the Arapahoe Road corridor area, while considering the unique context of this rapidly developing area.

   This Corridor Study was conducted following FHWA/FTA guidance regarding the integration of transportation planning and the NEPA process. Although the Arapahoe Road Corridor Study is a planning study and does not yet include NEPA clearance, the following steps were taken to streamline the future NEPA process:

   • Developing a vision statement and objectives that readily translate to a project Purpose and Need.
   • Conducting thorough evaluation and documentation of alternatives and the screening process.
   • Identifying logical termini for the study corridor, and identifying segments with independent utility for potential future NEPA clearances within fiscally constrained budgets.
   • Including public and agency input during the study process.
   • Conducting an environmental overview of resources potentially affected by the range of options.
   • Requesting concurrence by the Executive Committee at key decision points that mesh with those of the NEPA process:
   • Vision statement and objectives
   • Range of alternatives
   • Major screening criteria
   • Identification of a recommended option

   These steps were documented in various formats (meeting notes, public meeting materials, project memos, and reports) to be included as background reference as the transportation planning process transitions into NEPA clearance projects.

   Contact person:
   Jim Paulmeno - (303) 757-9385
   Region Planning and Environmental Manager

7. CDOT Region Three: 29 Road /I-70B (New Interchange)
   
   

   This project was an EA in Grand Junction, Colorado. It utilized 5 previous planning documents including the 2004 RTP, the Grand Valley Circulation Plan, the I-70B Corridor Optimization Study, the West Metro Transportation Study, and the North/South Transportation Corridor Improvements Plan. These plans provided the following information that was then linked to NEPA:

   • Definition of purpose and need.
   • Identification and screening of a range of alternatives.

   The benefits of this information to the EA was to provide a starting point for purpose and need and to limit the range of alternatives that needed to be considered outside of the 29 Road Corridor.

   Contact person:
   Tammie Smith - (970) 248-7226
   Region Planning and Environmental Manager

8. CDOT Region Four: US 34 Corridor Optimization Plan
   
   This project was a corridor study for a 25-mile segment of US 34 extending from I-25 east through the town of Kersey. Corridor Optimization is a relatively new procedure developed by CDOT to identify basic needs for selected highway corridors. The intent of the process was to conduct cursory level analyses to determine the most effective means of serving future travel demands.
   
   The methods used to connect planning to NEPA consisted of:
   • Public involvement:
     
     The development of the US 34 COP was a collaborative effort involving all of the local jurisdictions along or near the 25-mile segment of the highway. These included the City of Loveland, The Town of Johnstown, The Town of Windsor, Larimer County, and Town of Milliken, the City of Greeley, the City of Evans, the Town of Kersey, and Weld County.
   • Performing preliminary environmental research:
     • Threatened and endangered species may exist along some of the corridors considered for improvements.
     • Surface water systems (Big Thompson and the Cache La Poudre River) must be considered; avoidance and mitigation measures will need to be explored.
     • Oil and gas tanks/pumping stations will need to be investigated as to possible spills.
     • Environmental Justice issues may be a concern in certain areas.
     • Noise investigations may be necessary where there are improvements.
     • Appropriate stormwater improvements are necessary.
     • Historic buildings and irrigation canals need to be avoided.

   This information will be beneficial to subsequent NEPA efforts because of the public involvement that has been done and because environmental constraints have already been identified.

   Contact person:
   Myron Hora - (970) 350-2263
   Region Planning and Environmental Manager