The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed construction of a limited-access hurricane evacuation route to be known as the Houma-Thibodaux to LA 3127 Connection (North-South Corridor/Hurricane Evacuation). The project limits would be US 90 on the south and State Route 3127 on the north. The approximate distance of the project is 25-40 miles. Based on previous studies, the project area is known to contain a rich variety of natural, cultural and socio-economic resources. This project is intended to serve as a primary north-south hurricane evacuation route to provide direct access to the I-10 corridor during emergency evacuation events.
More specifically, this project will involve preliminary environmental (including natural, cultural and social environment) and engineering constraints studies and the development of preliminary alternatives using State-of-the-Art “Route Optimization” software. Subsequent tasks include initial impact evaluation, a more detailed study of alternatives and environmental impacts, the development of a draft EIS, a public hearing, preparation of a final EIS with complete, detailed environmental and line and grade studies, and a Record of Decision. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be made available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
There will be several public meetings and one public hearing throughout the project development process to present findings to the public and to obtain public input. Additionally, small group informational meetings may be held at the request of community groups throughout the duration of the project.
Interested individuals, organizations, and public agencies are invited to attend the public meetings to participate in identifying any important environmental issues related to the proposed alternatives. Those in attendance at the public meetings may also suggest alternatives which may be more economical, or which have less environmental effects while at the same time achieving similar transportation objectives. The public will receive notices on the location and time of future opportunities for participation at meetings and public hearings through newspaper advertisements and other means.
Although valuable resources will be avoided to the extent possible, it is reasonable to assume that a project of this type and magnitude will have some degree of impact on the natural and human environments. The potential impacts fall into three categories: (1) construction impacts, (2) operational impacts, and (3) indirect impacts. Careful consideration of potential impacts within the limits of the proposed action will be required during the planning and design phases of the proposed project in order to minimize these impacts.
Project Description
