Public Hearing
Improvement
to
Interstate 40
From I-240 to the Choctaw Road
Interchange
Environmental Assessment
March 23, 2010
Harmony Christian Church
Overview
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Project Team
Purpose
Study Area
Why This Project is Needed
Goals/Objectives
Preferred Alternative
Why We Are Here
Introduction
• FHWA
• ODOT
• TETRA TECH
Purpose
The purpose of the
project is to address
physical deficiencies,
congestion, and safety
issues on I-40 from the
I-240 merge to Choctaw
Road.
Study Area
Why This Project is Needed
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Traffic backs up at the Choctaw Road exits
The acceleration / deceleration lanes for
I-40/I-240 ramps and Choctaw Road are
too short
Low exit ramp design speeds at Choctaw
Road
Inadequate vertical sight distances
No traffic signals on Choctaw Road
High accident rates
Substandard vertical clearance at the bridge
Need for safe pedestrian and bicycle access
Goals / Objectives
•
•
•
Improve the safety and
operation of I-40 and
the Interchanges
Minimize Impact to the
Environment
Meet the Purpose and
Needs for the project
Preferred Alternative
•
Diamond Interchange
–
–
–
–
–
Three lanes per direction (I-40)
Auxiliary lanes (I-240)
Increased Traffic Storage and Decreased Driver
Confusion and Enhance Pedestrian Safety
Simplified Construction Sequencing
(Approximately 20 months)
Traffic signals with dedicated turn lanes
Preferred Alternative (Cont.)
– Choctaw Road widening to five lanes with curb
and gutter (include ADA compliant sidewalks)
– Accommodate Multimodal Facilities (i.e Park-nRide, Bicycle Access)
– Fewer Potential Relocations
– Additional Right-of-Way
– Retaining Walls
Preferred Alternative
With Limits of No Access
Environmental Analysis
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wetlands, Streams, Ponds, Water Quality
Threatened and Endangered Species
Cultural Resources
Hazardous Materials
Farmland
Land use, Economic and Right-of-Way Impacts
Traffic Noise
Air quality
Temporary Construction Impacts
Community Concerns
Right of Way
• Right-of-Way and Relocations
Why We Are Here
•
Input on the Preferred Alternative
– Online comments (emails to environment@odot.org)
– Written - comment forms available
– Verbal – record your comments with the Court Reporter
– Comments due by April 23rd.
Information Sources
Environmental Assessment:
1. http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/meetings/a2010/i40ea/
2. ODOT Central Office, 200 N.E. 21st Street, Room 3D 2A (2 copies)
3. Harmony Christian Church
4. Midwest City Public Library
5. Choctaw Public Library
Nancy Ashton – ODOT
Phone: 405-521-2676
200 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
E-mail: NAshton@ODOT.org
Jonathan Heusel – Tetra Tech
Phone: 405-606-8600
119 North Robinson Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
E-mail: Jonathan.Heusel@TetraTech.com
Thank You !