Regional Planning Commission Transportation Planning

Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Connector between
Airline Highway (US61) and Interstate 10
in St. John the Baptist Parish, LA

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LADOTD) and the Regional Planning Commission for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes (RPC) is initiating an Environmental Impact Statement for proposed enhanced commercial interstate access in St. John the Baptist Parish, LA.

An Environmental Assessment was previously undertaken in order to address interstate access issues for the Port of South Louisiana. The Draft Environmental Assessment was completed in August 2004, followed by a public review period. As there were several major issues raised by agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers and US Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as concerns expressed by some residents and environmental groups, it was the agreement of the LADOTD, FHWA, and St. John the Baptist Parish that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be needed. This EIS will address access between Airline Highway and Interstate 10.The Study Limits of the EIS project extend from ¼ mile to the east of US 51 on the east to ¼ mile to the west of LA 3213/641 on the west, and from ¼ mile north of I-10 on the north to ¼ mile south of US 61 on the south. The purpose of the project, as currently defined, is to explore and propose methods for enhanced interstate access for St. John the Baptist Parish between Airline Highway ( US 61) and Interstate 10.

A second Public Scoping Meeting on the proposed interstate access enhancement in St. John the Baptist Parish was held November 19, 2009.

The purpose of this meeting was to obtain public input on (1) the draft purpose and need that has been prepared for the project and (2) the list of initial alternatives that have been developed.

All interested parties and their representatives were invited to be present at that meeting for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the project and providing comments and input.

Written statements or comments could be submitted at that meeting, or could be mailed to: St. John the Baptist Airline to I-10 EIS, c/o N-Y Associates, Inc.
Attention: Bruce J. Richards
2750 Lake Villa Drive – Suite 100 Metairie LA 70002

Documents reviewed at the public meeting held on November 19, 2009

Draft Purpose and Need – This document states the purpose and need for the project and is currently in draft form.
Draft Coordination Plan – This document outlines how the Lead Agencies (FHWA, LaDOTD, and RPC) will solicit input from stakeholders during the EIS process.
Initial Alternatives List – This document is this the list of potential alternatives developed during the initial part of the scoping process. This list will be refined as the evaluation process continues
.
Map of Initial Alternatives – Graphic of the initial alternatives for reference.
Initial Alternatives, September 2009, Airline Highway (US 61) to Interstate 10, Proposed Connector EIS
Map with aerial photograph as background (57MB) Map without aerial (2MB)

NOTE: The map with an aerial photograph takes a much longer time to open.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LADOTD) and the Regional Planning Commission for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes (RPC), is initiating an Environmental Impact Statement for proposed enhanced commercial interstate access in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana.

An Environmental Assessment was previously undertaken in order to address interstate access issues for the Port of South Louisiana. The Draft Environmental Assessment was completed in August 2004, followed by a public review period.

As there were several major issues raised by agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as concerns expressed by some residents and environmental groups, it was the agreement of the LADOTD, FHWA, Port of South Louisiana, and St. John the Baptist Parish that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be needed.

The project was then separated into two sections with independent utility: access between the Port of South Louisiana and Airline Highway; and access between Airline Highway and Interstate 10. This EIS will address access between Airline Highway and Interstate 10.

The study limits of the EIS project extend from ¼ mile to the east of US 51 on the east to ¼ mile to the west of LA 3213/641 on the west, and from ¼ mile north of I-10 on the north to ¼ mile south of US 61 on the south.

The purpose of the project, as currently defined, is to explore and propose methods for enhanced commercial interstate access for the Port of South Louisiana and St. John the Baptist Parish between Airline Highway (US 61) and Interstate 10.

For additional information contact: Bruce Richards, N-Y Associates; (504) 885-0500; brichards@n-yassociates.com

St. Bernard & Plaquemines Parishes Land Use and Transportation Vision Plan 2008

Presentation of the St. Bernard & Plaquemines Parishes Land Use and Transportation Vision Plan, 2008 by Bruce Richards of the firm, N-Y Associates, at the Regional Planning Commission meeting held on February 10, 2009.

The St. Bernard & Plaquemines Parishes Land Use and Transportation Vision Plan 2008 was funded by the Regional Planning Commission as part of a coordinated effort to analyze land use and transportation in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes following the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The purpose of the study was to work with the governments and citizens of the two parishes to develop a strategic vision and conceptual plan for redevelopment for each parish.

For additional information concerning this study, contact: Lynn Dupont, ASLA, Principal Planner/GIS Coordinator: (504) 483-8514; ldupont@norpc.org

Interstate 12/Northshore Boulevard/Airport Road
in St. Tammany Parish
Public Information Meeting #2, February 28, 2008

A public information meeting was held February 28, 2008, concerning the Interstate 12/Northshore Boulevard/Airport Road, Stage 0 Feasibility Study and Environmental Inventory project for St. Tammany Parish.

Purpose: The purpose of the project is to develop interchange and roadway improvements to alleviate traffic congestion at the I-12 exit-ramps and Northshore Boulevard and Airport Road.

For more information concerning this project, please view the presentation from the public meeting. The presentation shows the Project Area, and describes the Project Purpose and Project Need. There is also a Summary Map of Proposed Roadway Improvements in the Slidell Area, information about Public Information Meeting #1, an Evaluation Summary, Recommendations, and three drawings which depict Initial Recommendations (superimposed on aerial photographs).

Project Sponsors: The Regional Planning Commission, and, the St. Tammany Parish Government.
Planning and Engineering Tasks: BKI Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc., and, Tamplan, LLC.

Clearview Parkway Corridor/LA 3152 (part)
Stage 0 Feasibility Study and Environmental Inventory

A public information meeting was held February 21, 2008, concerning the Clearview Parkway Corridor/LA 3152 (part) Stage 0 Feasibility Study and Environmental Inventory in Jefferson Parish.

Purpose: The study will examine the initial feasibility of capacity improvements to Clearview Parkway between S. I-10 Service Road and E. Corporate Avenue, to address existing problems as well as changes in traffic resulting from the widening of the Huey P. Long Bridge.

For more information concerning this project, please view the presentation from the public meeting. The presentation shows Project Sponsors and Project Team, Project Overview, Study Area Definition, Preliminary Purpose, Existing Traffic, Future Traffic, Huey P. Long Bridge, Initial Project Concepts, Project Evaluation, Remaining Project Concepts, Secondary Evaluations and Results, and, Initial Recommendations.

Project Sponsors: The Regional Planning Commission, Jefferson Parish, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Project Team: Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc.; Richard C. Lambert Consultants, LLC; AIMS Group, Inc.; PSI/Citywide Testing and Inspection, Inc.; Urban Systems, Inc.

Project Contacts: Ed E. Elam, AICP, Project Manager, Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc., 504.486.5901, Extension 281, eelam@bkiusa.com; Jeff Roesel, AICP, Regional Planning Commission, Director of Planning, jroesel@norpc.org.

Transportation Documents in Brief MTPs/TIPs/UPWP page

MTPs and TIPs

The RPC as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the New Orleans region develops and administers through its Metropolitan Transportation Plans (MTPs cover a 20-year period) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIPs cover the immediate four-year period)—a multi-million dollars per year transportation program of highway, transit, and intermodal facility improvements including:

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)

The RPC's effort to establish and carry out its transportation policy development and project implementation is documented in its Unified Planning Work Program for Transportation Planning.

This study area consists of three urbanized areas (UZAs) - New Orleans, Slidell and Covington/Mandeville.

The Unified Planning Work Program documents the federally funded planning activities being undertaken by the Regional Planning Commission, local transit providers, the state Department of Transportation, and local governmental units to maintain and improve the overall efficiency of the region’s highway, transit, aviation, maritime and rail systems.

The Program also describes endeavors being undertaken by the RPC in other spheres of activity such as economic development, brownfields reclamation, and aviation .

Transportation Documents Overview page: MTPs, TIPs and UPWP

Projects, Public Information Meetings and Presentations

Interstate 12/Northshore Boulevard/Airport Road in St. Tammany Parish Public Information Meeting #2, February 28, 2008

Transportation Documents in Brief MTPs/TIPs/UPWP page MTPs and TIPs

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)

Interstate 12/Northshore Boulevard/Airport Road
in St. Tammany Parish
Public Information Meeting #2, February 28, 2008

Transportation Documents in Brief MTPs/TIPs/UPWP page

MTPs and TIPs