Improvementto

Interstate 40 From I-240 to the Choctaw Road

Interchange

Environmental Assessment

March 23, 2010Harmony Christian Church

Public Hearing

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-n-Ride, 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 !