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US 491 South Corridor FLH-666-1(49)17 CN 2357 Navajo 9 to Sheep Springs (NM 134) MP 15 to MP 46. Public Information Meeting November 1, 2006. Benediction. Presentation Outline. Introductions US 491 Background & History Engineering Re-Evaluation Environmental Assessment
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US 491South CorridorFLH-666-1(49)17CN 2357Navajo 9 to Sheep Springs (NM 134)MP 15 to MP 46 Public Information Meeting November 1, 2006
Presentation Outline • Introductions • US 491 Background & History • Engineering Re-Evaluation • Environmental Assessment • Navajo Nation Role in the Project • Question and Comments Session • Closing
Introduction New Mexico Department of Transportation
Introductions Presenters, Study Team Members & Guests • Ricardo Roybal (NMDOT) • Albert M. Thomas (Bohannan-Huston) • Eric Johnson (Marron & Assoc.) • Gene Martinez (NNDOT) • Navajo Nation Officials • NMDOT representatives
Navajo Nation Involvement • Office of the President • Office of the Speaker • Oversight Committees • Chapters • Tribal Departments • General Public
Project Agencies • NDOT - Navajo Department of Transportation • NMDOT - New Mexico Department of Transportation • FHWA - Federal Highway Administration • BIA - Bureau of Indian Affairs
Other Agency Involvement • Governor’s Office • Legislators & Public Officials • Indian Health Service • School Districts
Consultant Project Team • Bohannan-Huston, Inc. • Marron & Associates • Gannett Fleming West • Wilson & Company • HDR Engineering • AMEC Earth and Environmental • SWCA Environmental • TBE Group
Purpose of Public Meeting US 491 South Corridor • Present the Findings of the Engineering Re-Evaluation • Describe the Environmental Investigations being conducted • Solicit Public Input & Comments
US 491 Project Background New Mexico Department of Transportation
Project Background • Previous Study recommended 4-lanes on US 491 • NMDOT Committed to 4-Lanes • 1 Program / 2 Corridor Study Limits • North Corridor Sheep Springs to Navajo Road 13 • South Corridor Navajo Road 9 to Sheep Springs (See Project Map)
Project Status • Engineering Re-Evaluation • Existing Lanes to Remain • 2 New Lanes with 46 ft median • Environmental Assessment • One document completed for North Corridor • One document under development for South Corridor
Project Schedule • US 491 North Corridor • Environmental Clearance complete • Right-of-Way Agreements being reviewed • Design will be complete by January 2007 • Construction programmed to begin by Early 2008 • US 491 South Corridor • Environmental Clearance by December 2006 • Design will be complete by April 2007 • Right-of-Way Agreements by Summer 2007 • Construction programmed to begin Early 2009
Engineering Re-Evaluation Bohannan-Huston, Inc.
New Typical Section Concept • Leave Existing Lanes • Build 2 New Lanes Adjacent to Existing • Separate Traffic with 46’ Divided Median • Majority of Earthwork within ROW Easement
Right-of-Way Issues • Option 1 – West Alignment • 180 Acres of new ROW Easement for New Lanes • 5 Acres of Easements needed for Drainage • 2 Acres of Temporary Construction Permits • Less than 200 Acres Total • Option 2 – East Alignment • 168 Acres of new ROW Easement for New Lanes • 124 Acres of additional easement for Borrow Ditch • 20 Acres of additional easements for Drainage • 6 Acres of Temporary Construction Permits • Over 300 Acres Total
South CorridorRight-of-Way Needs • Right-of-Way Easement • Expand existing wide enough to build roadway prism • Construction Maintenance Easements CME • Minor Easements for Drainage & Permanent Facilities • Temporary Construction Easement/Permit TCP • Driveway/Turnout Reconstruction • Fixing/Replacing Cattlegaurds at ROW fence
Project Improvements • Public Transit and School Bus • Bicycle and Pedestrian Traffic • Street Lighting at Intersections • School Flashers where warranted • Livestock Crossings • Median Crossovers at ½ Mile Spacing • Turn Lanes at Major Intersections
Environmental Review and Public Involvement Marron and Associates, Inc.
Environmental AssessmentProcess • Guided by Location Study Procedures and National Environmental Policy Act • Collect data • Conduct public involvement • Prepare environmental assessments • 30-day comment period and public hearing • Issue Finding of No Significant Impacts
Environmental Investigations • Biological Surveys • Wetland Surveys • Cultural Resources • Hazardous Materials
Public Involvement • Comment Form for tonight’s input • Website (www.US491.com) containing general project information has been established • Contacts • Ricardo Roybal NMDOT (505)827-9852 • Albert Thomas (505)823-1000 • Eric Johnson (505)898-8848 • Public Hearing anticipated Early 2007
Navajo Nation Role Navajo Department of Transportation
Navajo Nation Role • Division of Natural Resources • Archaeology • Right-of-Way • Water • Aggregate • Navajo Nation Department of Transportation
Questions and Comments