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Update on Interstate 3 and Corridor K

Update on Interstate 3 and Corridor K. Melanie Mayes. Thanks to: Axel Ringe Hugh Irwin Charley Kraus Jim Grode. Outline. WaysSouth Stop I-3 Coalition Corridor K Coalition Alternatives including rail www.wayssouth.org Interstate 3 Corridor K TN link: US64 Ocoee Gorge

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Update on Interstate 3 and Corridor K

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  1. Update on Interstate 3 and Corridor K Melanie Mayes Thanks to: Axel Ringe Hugh Irwin Charley Kraus Jim Grode

  2. Outline • WaysSouth • Stop I-3 Coalition • Corridor K Coalition • Alternatives including rail • www.wayssouth.org • Interstate 3 • Corridor K • TN link: US64 Ocoee Gorge • NC link: Robbinsville to Andrews

  3. Interstate 3 in the News • Kingsport, Knoxville, Nashville, Chattanooga TN • Winston-Salem, Asheville NC • Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Savannah GA • Singapore

  4. How did the Idea of Interstate 3 Get Started? • August 2005 – the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU) passed by the US House and Senate • Omnibus transportation bill • Provides $1.6 million to describe steps and estimate funding to construct interstate 3 from Savannah to Knoxville via Augusta • including $300K from GA • Sponsored by late Charlie Norwood, US Rep. GA District 10 and Senators Chambliss and Iskason

  5. Stated Purpose of Proposed I-3: • For military transport purposes • To improve the economy of the area • To honor the Third Infantry Division

  6. 2010 I-3 Study • Scope • ICF International, Wilbur Smith Associates • Develop 4-5 alternate routes (study area) and design levels • Costs and steps for construction of each route • Recommendations for additional “sub-studies” on economic, social, environmental factors • Cost • $1.6 million over 1-2 year ($400K planned)

  7. Primary Tasks of I-3 study • Kickoff Meeting • Inventories • Expert Working Group (EWG) • Project website • Control points • Public involvement • Study alignments and design levels • Detailed spatial analysis • Draft estimates and costs • Final Report to Congress (Spring 2011) • Recommendations of sub-studies

  8. Overarching Principles of Study • Respect the statutory language • Follow the statement of work • Collaborate with the EWG, agencies, and public • Consistency with FHWA guidance on cost estimating for major projects • Consistency with linking planning and environmental processes • Stay on schedule

  9. Expert Working Group (EWG) • 3-4 meetings in 2010-11 • Attending meetings, reviewing data, sharing information, and making recommendations • Input on report to Congress (Spring 2011) documenting potential routes, steps to completion, and costs • Recommendations on optional related sub-studies • Closed meetings, minutes posted at FHWA project website www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/sec1927corridors.htm

  10. Expert Working Group (EWG) Kickoff Meeting Sept 16, 2010 Atlanta GA No SC participation

  11. Status update • Purpose and need are not well defined • GA, NC, TN DOTs have no planned or projected requirement for a NW-SE corridor • Not present in any long-range plans • No supporting traffic studies • Lack of SC participation, lack of NC-TN funding • No specific requirement for new roadbed • No requirement for states to follow up

  12. 4 Lines of Argument Military does not move via highways, there are numerous existing routes, freight moved best by rail Is this really the best way to honor the 3rd ID? Interstates are inconsistent with existing tourism-based development Cost

  13. The Military Travels by Air and Sea, Not Highways

  14. Interstate 3 is not needed • Savannah has two interstates, I-95 and I-16 • Primary highway routes for Savannah port freight • Efficient and existing rail routes to Atlanta and Knoxville for container freight from port • 4-lane Savannah River Parkway to Augusta connects Savannah to I-20 • GRIP: 4-lane route through GA • I-20 to GA-17, GA-17 to US441 to Toccoa, 441N through Franklin, NC to US23 to I-40 west of Asheville • Only 4 lane exceptions are • Georgia 17 between Toccoa and I-20. Has local proponents but is a lower priority for GDOT • Small section of 441 N of Clayton, may happen in 2013

  15. Savannah to Knoxville by I-95, I-26, I-40 is 419 miles – shorter than any stated route of I-3 (~466 miles)

  16. Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah Already Served by Four-lane Highway Forts Gordonand Stewart connected by new Savannah River Parkway Four-lane Highway

  17. Georgia 17, when four-laned, will adequately serve the area between I-20 and I-85

  18. Would I-3 be an Effective way to Honor the Third Infantry Division? • Is spending several billion $$ on a highway the best memorial we can afford? • 2 museums in existence Memorial at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning

  19. Would I-3 Improve Economic Development? • An interstate would actually degrade economy of the Southern Appalachians • It would jeopardize recreational resources that businesses depend on

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