Welcome to the. Citizen Information Meeting for the Martinsville Southern Connector Study. The purpose of this meeting is to:

Transcription

1 Route Environmental Impact Statement Welcome to the Citizen Information Meeting for the Martinsville Southern Connector Study The purpose of this meeting is to: Introduce the Martinsville Southern Connector Study Gather public comments on transportation issues within and surrounding the U.S. Route corridor Solicit input on social, economic, and natural environmental resources that may need to be considered as part of the study Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 1

2 Route Environmental Impact Statement What is the Martinsville Southern Connector Study? A study to evaluate potential alternatives for improving Fieldale the U.S. Route corridor from the North Carolina state line to the U.S. Route / 28 Laurel Park U.S. Route Bypass Martinsville Horse Pasture An environmental review process including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement that documents possible impacts to social, economic, and natural environmental resources 692 Ridgeway An evaluation of modifying access along existing U.S. Route or building a new roadway along different alignments 87 0 miles Price VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLINA Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 2

3 Route Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Study Process The Environmental Impact Statement will analyze the possible social, economic, and natural environmental impacts that could result from the potential alternatives, based on the following process. We are here Scoping & Study Initiation Ù Purpose & Need Ù Alternatives Development Ù Draft Documentation of Technical Reports Draft Environmental Impact StatementÙ Selected Alternative & Mitigation Final Environmental Impact StatementÙ Federal Highway Administration Record of ædecisionæ Agency Concurrence Point, required by statewide National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Water Act (Section 404) merged process for highway projects in Virginia. Ù Opportunity for Public and Agency Involvement æ Funding for a subsequent phase of the project (e.g., detailed design, final design and right of way, or construction) must be shown in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program before the Federal Highway Administration can sign a Record of Decision. VDOT Project Development Process Once a selected alternative has been identified and necessary funding has been assigned, the following steps must occur prior to construction. Preliminary EngineeringÙ Detailed Design Final Design & Right of Way AcquisitionÙ Advertise Ù Opportunity for Public and Agency Involvement Each phase of the project development process may be funded separately Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 3

4 Route Environmental Impact Statement Scoping and Study Initiation What is scoping? Scoping is an early and open process during which public input is solicited. The public, interest groups and stakeholders, and government agencies are encouraged to participate. The input received along with existing data are used to determine the scope of issues to be considered. What data will be collected? Existing traffic and crash data Future land use plans Projected traffic volumes Input from general public, interest groups, stakeholders, Future growth projections and government agencies. What are the preliminary needs to be addressed by the study? Potential alternatives for improving the U.S. Route corridor are anticipated to address: Safety Mobility Access What are your suggestions for U.S. Route? We encourage you to provide input and information on transportation issues, resources, and needs that may help define the scope of the Martinsville Southern Connector Study. Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 4

5 Route Environmental Impact Statement Study Schedule Study InitiationÙ February 2018 Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) We are here Public EIS Scoping MeetingÙ May 2018 Introduce the Martinsville Southern Connector Study Purpose and Need Late 2018 Project website launch On-line public surveyù Range of Alternatives Early 2019 Community Information MeetingÙ Present alternatives under consideration to the public Draft EIS Late 2019 Evaluates possible social, economic, and environmental effects for the range of alternatives considered Draft EIS Public HearingÙ Early 2020 Present Draft EIS information to the public and request comments Identify Selected Alternative Early Mid 2020 Final EISÙ Early 2021 F ederal Highway Administration Record of Decision TBD Ù Opportunity for Public and Agency Involvement Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 5

6 Route Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Resources to be Considered Community Facilities Low-Income/Minority Populations Wetlands and Streams Wildlife and Habitat Parks, Recreation and Open Space Farmland Energy Noise Air Quality Visual Topography, Soils, and Geology Historic and Cultural Resources Hazardous Materials Please provide input on what resources are important to you Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 6

7 Route Environmental Impact Statement Preliminary Environmental Resources Map Martinsville Martinsville Speedway Sports Complex Gravely Run Nature Preserve Fisher Farm Park Ridgeway 87 LEGEND Streams 100-Year Floodplain School Church Park VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLINA Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 7

8 Route Environmental Impact Statement Hands-on Map Station We want your input Please review the roll maps of MAP 2 the project study area. Using the materials provided, please mark on the map the areas where you want to provide input. Specifically, we are interested in: Horse Pasture Gather public comments on transportation issues within and surrounding the U.S. Route corridor Solicit input on social, economic, and natural environmental resources that MAP 1 may need to be considered as part of the study Your valuable feedback is a critical component in the study development. Ridgeway VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLINA Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 8

9 Route Environmental Impact Statement Other Projects U.S. Bassett Route Forks Access Management Improvements North of Bypass Bennett Springs Hollins Blue Ridge Laymantown U.S. Route Over Reed Creek Bridge Replacement U.S. Route Communications and Adaptive System Project Roanoke Cave Spring Leslie Fieldale U.S. Route Over Back Creek Bridge Replacement Shoulder Widening/ Guardrail Improvements Boones Mill Red Valley Piedmont Mill 28 Gogginsville U.S. Route Corridor Study (Short term improvements from Roanoke to Martinsville Rocky Mount Laurel Park Gladehill Hopkins Mill Martinsville Prilliman Sydnorsville U.S. Route Safety Improvements(shoulder paving, guardrail, rumble strips various locations Henry Figsboro Blackberry Preston Bassett Horse Pasture Collinsville Martinsville Laurel Park Chatmoss Horse Pasture Spencer Ridgeway VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLINA U.S. Route East Turn Lane at U.S. Route / U.S. Route Bypass U.S. Route / U.S. Route 688 Safety Improvements Ridgeway 0 miles VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLINA Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 9

10 Route Environmental Impact Statement We Want Your Input Thank you for participating at today s meeting. Please provide your written comments today or submit them by May 18, 2018, to: Caleb Parks, Project Manager Environmental Division Virginia Department of Transportation 1401 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia caleb.parks@vdot.virginia.gov COMMENT SHEET Martinsville Southern Connector Study Route Environmental Impact Statement CITIZEN INFORMATION MEETING Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Magna Vista High School, 701 Magna Vista School Road, Ridgeway, Virginia STATE PROJECT NUMBER: ; UPC: FEDERAL PROJECT NUMBER: STP-044-2(059) 1. Considering issues such as safety, mobility, and access, along the U.S. Route corridor what transportation needs are most important to you? Additional opportunities for public involvement and agency coordination will be incorporated as part of the overall study process. Keep up-to-date with the study s progress by visiting our web site: salem/martinsville_southern_ connector_study.asp NOT IMPORTANT SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT NO OPINION 2. How important to you are the following social, economic, and natural environmental resources? Community Facilities Low-Income/Minority Populations Wetlands and Streams Wildlife and Habitat Parks, Recreation and Open Space Farmland Energy Noise Air Quality Visual Topography, Soils, and Geology Historic and Cultural Resources Hazardous Materials 3. How did you find out about this information meeting? (select all that apply) Newspaper advertisement News story Study website Other (please specify) 4. What is the best way for VDOT to solicit further input from the public as the study progresses? (check all that apply) Newspaper announcement Direct mailing Radio announcement Information meeting Study website updates Other (please specify) ADDITIONAL COMMENTS Please leave this comment sheet at the designated location, caleb.parks@vdot.virginia.gov, or mail your comments within 10 days (postmarked by MAY 18, 2018) to the addressee on the reverse side. Thank You Martinsville-BOARDS-30x40_050218b.indd 10