Hampton Roads Crossing Study (HRCS) (SEIS) Hampton City Council December 9, 2015
Purpose of Today s Briefing Provide update on the status of the study Review key topics and alternatives under consideration Discuss next steps
Study Status
Study Kickoff FHWA Notice of Intent: June 2015 Agency Kickoff Meeting: July 2015 Citizen Information Meetings: July 2015 Develop impact methodologies: August September 2015 Draft Purpose and Need: September/October 2015 Publish coordination plan: October 2015 Initiate agency review of Purpose and Need: October 2015 Initiate field work: October 2015
Key Topics
Purpose and Need Primary elements of the purpose and need were concurred on by VDOT, FHWA, and the cooperating agencies on October 28 th Draft Purpose and Need chapter was distributed to cooperating and participating agencies for review and comment on October 28 th Comments requested by November 25 th to inform the agency meeting scheduled for December 3 rd
Purpose and Need (continued) 2001 EIS The primary project purpose is to develop and analyze intermodal alternatives that can work together to improve accessibility, mobility, and goods movement in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area to help relieve the congestion that occurs at the existing I- 64 Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. Project Needs Supporting The Project Purpose: The combination of the decreasing performance of the transportation system and increasing pressure due to growth in population and employment, emphasizes the need to develop intermodal alternatives that can work together to improve accessibility, mobility, and goods movement in the Hampton Roads area. There is a need to address the decreasing performance of the transportation system in a manner which will positively contribute to the most effective utilization of transportation investments that have already been made in the region. Of equal importance in planning for transportation needs in the Hampton Roads area is environmental protection and enhancement.
Purpose and Need (continued) SEIS (Draft) The purpose of the HRCS is to relieve congestion at the I-64 HRBT in a manner that improves accessibility, transit, emergency evacuation, and military and goods movement along the primary transportation corridors in the Hampton Roads region, including the I-64, I-664, I-564, and Route 164 corridors. The HRCS will address the following needs : Accommodate travel demand capacity is inadequate on the study area alignments, contributing to congestion at the HRBT. Improve transit access there is a lack of transit access across the Hampton Roads waterway. Increase regional accessibility limited number of water crossings and inadequate highway capacity and severe congestion decrease accessibility. Address geometric deficiencies insufficient vertical and horizontal clearance at the HRBT contribute to congestion. Enhance emergency evacuation capability increase capacity for emergency evacuation, particularly at the HRBT. Improve strategic military connectivity congestion impedes military movement and missions. Increase access to port facilities inadequate access to interstate highway travel in the study area impacts regional commerce.
Operationally Independent Sections Similar to the I-64 Peninsula Study Alternatives will be presented as sections in the SEIS Potential for new/hybrid alternatives to be identified Order of sections will be set as part of preferred alternative and documented in Final SEIS Will result in individual RODs being issued for the portions of a preferred alternative that are fully funded and constrained in the current CLRP
Operationally Independent Sections (continued) Potential sections have been identified Each alternative will be presented in sections Costs and impacts also will be broken down by section
Alternatives Currently under Consideration
Alternative A Includes improvements to I-64 between I-664 and I-564 Improvements to HRBT would be largely confined to existing right of way
Alternative B Includes: I-64/HRBT I-564 I-564 Connector Route 164 Connector Route 164
Alternative C Includes: I-664 I-664/I-564 Connectors I-564 Route 164 Connector
Alternative D Includes all components of Alternative B and C
Moving Forward
Study Timeline
Milestone Schedule Participating Agency Meeting: December 3, 2015 Citizen Information Meetings: December 9-10, 2015 Draft SEIS published for public review: August 2016 Location Public Hearings: September 2016 Commonwealth Transportation Board : October/November 2016 Final SEIS published: Spring/Summer 2017 Anticipated first Record of Decision (ROD): Summer 2017 Continue to work with stakeholders to identify additional opportunities for communication and collaboration
For more information and/or future updates Visit: www.hamptonroadscrossingstudy.org or Email: HRCSSEIS@VDOT.Virginia.Gov