welcome []€¦ · policy act (nepa). the eis will evaluate a range of transportation alternatives...

1

I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel

Environmental Impact Statement

WELCOMEThank you for your

participation in this important transportation study. The Virginia

Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding this second set of Citizen

Information Meetings to review current study information and to gather your

input on the range of alternative concepts developed for the I-64 Hampton

Roads Bridge Tunnel study. The study extends from the I-664/I-64 interchange

in Hampton to the I-564/I-64 interchange in Norfolk (approximately 11 miles).

The study involves preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EIS will evaluate a range of transportation alternatives that address transportation needs in the corridor. During this meeting, you will have an opportunity to discuss the alternative concepts and provide feedback and suggestions to the study team.

Purpose of the Meeting

This meeting is part of the Alternatives Development stage of the EIS. VDOT welcomes your input on the following important study elements:

• Purpose and Need – Based on previous input, VDOT has identified transportation needs within the study corridor that include capacity and roadway deficiencies.

• Existing and Future Traffic – VDOT has identified existing traffic conditions and projections of future traffic conditions.

• Alternatives – VDOT is developing alternative concepts which would address the future traffic conditions and transportation needs.

• Environmental Conditions – Nearby environmental resources which may be affected are being identified.

Alternatives Development Citizen Information Meetings

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/hamptonroads/i-64_hrbt_study.asp

Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 4 –7 p.m.Hampton Roads Convention Center 1610 Coliseum Drive Hampton, VA 23666

Thursday, April 19, 2012, 4 –7 p.m.Granby High School 7101 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505

April 2012

Citizen Information Meeting #2

2

STUDYLIMITS

3. Tunnels

4. Southside (Norfolk)

1. Peninsula (Hampton)

2. Bridge Approaches

2. Bridge Approaches

Hampton RoadsBridge Tunnel

PROCESS AND MILESTONES

What We HeardThe HRBT study team initiated scoping early in the EIS process. Scoping provided a preliminary opportunity to identify issues and concerns within the corridor. This process included two public meetings in mid-July 2011. The insights and issues identified during scoping have been used to develop the study purpose and need and the range of alternative concepts.

Study Purpose and NeedThe study corridor provides a critical link in the Hampton Roads regional transportation network, serving multiple travel purposes. The purpose of the study is to find solutions that would address the two primary study needs: insufficient transportation capacity and roadway deficiencies.

Capacity

• Substantial congestion occurs during lengthy peak travel times such as daily rush hour and holiday travel.

• Traffic backups typically extend 3-5 miles.

• Level of Service (LOS) is failing in many locations. LOS is a means of measuring traffic congestion based on letter grades, with A being least congested and F being most congested.• Average peak hour speed, when related to LOS (refer to figure at bottom right), is often well below the posted speed limit.

• Incidents exacerbate severe unreliability in travel time.

Roadway Deficiencies

• Substandard vertical clearance in the tunnels results in numerous truck turnarounds.

• Reduced number of lanes in corridor causes a bottleneck.

• Bridge clearance above water does not meet current standards for storm surge.

• Inadequate shoulders hinder efficient incident response.

STuDy INCEPTION

CITIZEN INFORMATIONMEETING(SCOPING)

CITIZEN INFORMATIONMEETING(ALTERNATIVES)

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

LOCATIONPubLIC HEARING

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

RECORD OF DECISION

WE’rE HErE NOW

May 2011 July 2011 April 2012 December 2012 February 2013 April 2014 August 2014

The labels refer to the Alternative Concept

on page 3

I - 664 (Exit 264)

LaSalle(Exit 265)

Mallory(Exit 268)

15th View(Exit 272)

4 th View(Exit 273)

Bay(Exit 274)

Settler’sLanding

(Exit 267)

Granby I -564

(Exit 276)

I-64 WESTBOUND

I-64 EASTBOUND

60 - 80 mphLOS A- C LOS D LOS E LOS F

40 - 60 mph 20 - 40 mph

HRBT

< 20 mph

Existing (2011) Speed LOS

3

Preliminary Alternatives DevelopmentVDOT has identified a range of potential alternative concepts which are currently being screened based on their ability to address the purpose and need for the study. From these, there are three alternative concepts which appear to best satisfy the purpose and need: Build-8, Build-8 Managed, and Build-10.

No-build Alternative – Under the No-Build Alternative, I-64 would remain predominantly three lanes per direction in Hampton; the HRBT would continue with current operations; and I-64 would remain two lanes per direction in Norfolk. VDOT would continue routine maintenance and repairs of I-64 and the HRBT as needed, but there would be no major improvements to the HRBT corridor.

build-8 Alternative Concept – The Build-8 Alternative Concept proposes four travel lanes in each direction on I-64 throughout the corridor. This would generally add one travel lane in each direction in Hampton, and two travel lanes in each direction on the bridges, in the tunnel and in Norfolk. This example concept is shown below.

build-8 Managed Alternative Concept – The Build-8 Managed Alternative Concept would be similar to the Build-8, but would include traffic management such as High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, and/or tolls. These management options also could facilitate bus transit. build-10 Alternative Concept – The Build-10 Alternative Concept proposes five travel lanes in each direction on I-64 through the corridor. This would generally add two travel lanes in each direction in Hampton, and three travel lanes in each direction on the bridges, in the tunnel and in Norfolk.

2. bridge Approaches

1. Peninsula (Hampton)

3. Tunnels

FigureDateFEBRUARY 28, 2012

I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge TunnelEnvironmental Impact Statement

Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel EISNot to scale

LEGENDExisting Structures

Note: Bridge typical sectionsassume use of existingstructures and NOT allnew structuresWidening

38'

Varies 0' - 250'

Varies 0' - 250'

Varies 0' - 250'

Varies 0' - 250'

Varies 0' - TBD

Varies 0' - TBD

Varies 0' - TBD

38'

38'

38'

38'

38'

38'

38'

44'

76'

122'

10'

Shldr.

10'

Shldr.

10'

Shldr.

10'

Shldr.

10'

Shldr.

10'

Shldr.

10'

Shldr.

4' Shoulder 4' Shoulder4' Shoulder

4' Shoulder

4' Shoulder

redluohS '4redluohS '4

4' Shoulder

4' Shoulder

14'

Shoulder

14'

Shoulder

14'

Shoulder

6'

Shldr.

14'

Shoulder

14'

Shoulder

32'

14'

Shoulder

6'

Shldr.

2'

24'

2 x 12' Lanes

24'

2 x 12' Existing Lanes

24'


24'


24'

2 x 12' Lanes

24'

2 x 12' Lanes

24'

2 x 12' Lanes

12'

Lane

18'

See Note 1 See Note 1

18'

12'

Lane

24'

2 x 12' Proposed Lanes

48'


60'


2'

Existing Four-Lane Section

BUILD: 6 Lanes Total



Westbound

Westbound

Westbound

Westbound

Eastbound

Westbound

Westbound

Westbound

12'

ProposedLane

Westbound

dnuobtsaEdnuobtsaE

Eastbound

Eastbound

Typical SectionApproach Bridges to Tunnel

2

Note 1: Pavement width per direction does not meet AASHTO criteria for minimum width of 24' for one-lane roadway

Note 2: Proposed widening could include new three-lane bridge to eliminate two-way traffic on existing eastbound bridge




LEGENDExisting Roadway

Widening

114'

122'

146'

170'

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

16'

Widening

4' Widening4' Widening

16'

Widening

12'

Shldr.

28'

Widening

28'

Widening

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

8'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

8'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

Westbound

Westbound

Westbound

Westbound

Eastbound

Eastbound

Eastbound

Eastbound

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

2' Barrier

2' Barrier

2' Barrier

2' Barrier

12'12'

24' 24'

ProposedLane

ProposedLane

2 x 12'Proposed Lanes

2 x 12'Proposed Lanes

Existing Six-Lane Section




Note: I-64 is on structure between Rip Rap Road and Settlers Landing Road / Woodland Road with 4' left shoulder / 12' right shoulderWB and 10' left shoulder / 12' right shoulder along EBalong

Typical SectionI-664 to HRBT

1





Widening

250' ±

250' ±

250' ±

250' ±

250' ±

Build: 6 Lanes Total



Notes:1. Top of existing tunnel structures are 55' below the water surface.2. Top of the new tunnel would be 65' below the water surface.3. Shoulder widths are 4' to provide overall pavement width of 20'

which is needed to pass stalled vehicle on single lane roadway.

Existing Tunnel

Westbound Lanes

Westbound Lanes

enaL dnuobtseWsenaL dnuobtseW 3

Westbound Lanes

Eastbound Lanes

Eastbound Lanes

Eastbound Lanes

Eastbound Lanes

New Tunnel

New Tunnel

23'2 x 11.5' Lanes

24'2 x 12' Lanes

56'-8”

147'-2”

36'3 x 12' Lanes

24'2 x 12' Lanes

12'1 x 12' Lane

Ventilation /Pedestrian

Egress

Ventilation


Egress


Egress

2'

2'2'4'

2'

2'2'4'23'2 x 11.5' Lanes

23'2 x 11.5' Lanes

23'2 x 11.5' Lanes

23'2 x 11.5' Lanes

23'2 x 11.5' Lanes

13' 6" 14' 6"

16' 6"

Typical SectionTunnel

3





Widening

Varies 112' - 116'

122'

146'

170'

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

12'

Shldr.

36'

Grass Median

36'

Median Widening

36'

Median Widening

36'

Median Widening

17'

Widening

29'

Widening

gninediW '5gninediW '5

17'

Widening

29'

Widening

24'

2 x 12' Lanes

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

48'

4 x 12' Lanes

60'

5 x 12' Lanes

24'

2 x 12' Lanes

36'

3 x 12' Lanes

48'

4 x 12' Lanes

60'

5 x 12' Lanes

Varies 2' - 4' Shoulder

Existing Four-Lane Section




Note: I-64 is on structure between West Ocean View Avenue / Bayville Street and 4th View Street with 4' left shoulder and 12' right shoulder

Westbound

Westbound

Westbound

Westbound

Eastbound

Eastbound

Eastbound

Eastbound

2' Barrier

2' Barrier

2' Barrier

Typical SectionHRBT to I-564

4

4. Southside (Norfolk)

Shoulder

ShoulderShoulder

Median

Median

Shoulder

ShoulderShoulder

build-8 Alternative Concept shown. Other alternative concepts are displayed at tonight’s meeting and on the study website. The numbered sections below can be referenced on the map on page 2.

Denotes Existing Denotes Proposed

Your Input CountsYour input will help shape the future of the HRBT corridor. We encourage you to get involved in the study process by reviewing information presented and completing a comment form. Comments can be made in one of the following ways by May 25, 2012.

Comment Form: Drop a completed comment form into the comment box before you leave tonight.

Electronic Survey: http://hrbt.vaprojects.com/comment.php

E-mail: [email protected] (Refer to “HRBT EIS/Alternatives Meeting” in subject line.)

Mail: Thomas Heil, 2901 S. Lynnhaven Road, Suite 300, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Additional information: Contact Angel Deem, VDOT Project Manager at [email protected]

FAQ’sWhat is an EIS and what will it include?

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for all federal projects or actions that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment. The EIS will serve as a tool for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to make an informed project decision. The EIS includes the review of a reasonable range of alternatives, their ability to meet the needs of the study, and their likely impacts to the social, cultural, and natural environment.

When will the study be complete, and when would improvements be made?

The study is scheduled for completion in Spring 2014. If a build alternative is selected by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and approved by FHWA, the project can advance. Design documents must be completed, and right-of-way acquired, before construction can begin. This process may take several years to complete provided funding is available.

Tolls are being considered for other studies in the area. Are they being considered for the HRbT study?

Identifying funding sources is not within the scope of this study. However, tolling can cause diversion of traffic to other facilities and this diversion can influence the extent of improvement concepts that meet the purpose and need. Because of this, and because a fund source has not yet been identified, the potential impact of tolls is being included in the traffic forecasts.

Is there currently funding to construct improvements? When will funding decisions be made? Who will make these decisions?

No funding is currently available for improvements. Funding decisions can be made after the EIS is complete if a build alternative is selected by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and approved by FHWA. The decision to proceed with project funding will be made by the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization through input from local governments in the region.

What environmental resources are being considered in the study?

The following environmental resources are being evaluated in the EIS:

• Historic Properties

• Social/Community Resources

• Threatened & Endangered Species

• Parks and Recreation Areas

• Wetlands/ Streams/Tidal Waters

• Economic Considerations

• Air Quality

• Noise Levels

• Land Use

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or require special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT’s Civil Rights Division at 800-367-7623 or TTY/TDD 711.

Responses to additional Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the study website:http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/hamptonroads/i-64_hrbt_study.asp

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