The Montana Department of Transportation
(MDT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) and the City of Bozeman, will prepare
an Environmental Assessment (EA) on the
proposal to reconstruct Rouse Avenue. This EA will document
the proposed project’s environmental review phase in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
and Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) requirements.
This process has several distinct phases that
are illustrated as mileposts in the graphic to the right.
There are two key aspects to this study: a proactive public
participation program to ensure that we understand your
concerns, and a rigorous exploration of alternatives to
ensure that we are being responsive to the needs of the area
residents and users of the area’s transportation facilities.
Who will make
the decision?
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
makes the final decision based on a recommendation from the
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). MDT’s
recommendation will be based on the results of the
environmental evaluation, traffic analysis, engineering
feasibility, construction costs, and public and agency
input.
Who is paying
for the study?
FHWA and MDT are paying for the study with
highway tax dollars. Construction monies to build any
recommended improvements have not been identified or
appropriated. Completing the EA puts the project in line
for future funding when it becomes available.
Who will
conduct the study?
A private consultant engineering firm (HKM
Engineering) has been hired to conduct the study and prepare
the conceptual designs to be analyzed.
How have
residents and users of the corridor been involved?
The first public scoping meeting for this
project was held at Bozeman City Hall in December of 2005.
Eleven (11) members of the public attended this meeting to
share their comments and ideas about the project. Another
public scoping meeting was held in January of 2006 at the
Bozeman Senior Center. Twenty-seven (27) people attended
this meeting. Attendees of the first two meetings were
asked to share their ideas about the corridor, as well as to
help MDT prioritize amenities and improvements in the
corridor.
A meeting to present some options and
alternatives for the corridor was held in May of 2006. Over
40 members of the public attended the meeting. At that
meeting, MDT presented two preliminary Project Alternatives
in and asked the public for comments. Comments received at
the meeting are being considered as the Project Alternatives
are further developed.
We have also met with a local neighborhood
group and representatives from pedestrian and bicycle
groups.
What are the upcoming
opportunities to be involved?
We are in the process of developing a
Preferred Alternative. There will be a Public Hearing once
the EA has been distributed. Details about this meeting
will be posted to this website when once are known.
You can also print out a
comment form and send it in or contact one of the
project representatives identified on the
Contacts page.
What is the schedule for
this project?
|
Activity |
Date |
|
Distribution of EA |
Late Summer
2006 |
|
Public
Hearing |
Fall 2006 |
|
FONSI
or EIS |
Late
Fall
2006 |
