State Route 109 (Portland Bypass)

Robertson & Sumner County, TN

NEPA Public HearingNovember 12, 2015

Public Hearing Agenda

5:00 Open House (Cafeteria)

5:30 Presentation / Q&A (Auditorium)

6:15 Breakout Session (Cafeteria)

7:00 Adjourn

Purpose of Public Hearing

Discuss proposed improvements to SR 109 (Portland Bypass), the NEPA process, and next steps

Receive input from the public

Answer questions and address concerns

Project Vicinity

NASHVILLE

Portland

Gallatin

SR-109

SR-52

I-65

I-40

Project Background The proposed SR-109 (Portland

Bypass) would be the final link in the overall corridor improvements between I-40 and I-65.

A Transportation Planning Report (TPR) was approved by TDOT on August 31, 2006.

The TPR identified three options for the SR-109 (Portland Bypass).

In July 2011, TDOT notified FHWA that it intended to initiate the NEPA process.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is an environmental review process required by the federal government for all projects that use federal funds.

The SR-109 (Portland Bypass) project is being assisted with federal funds through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

An Environmental Assessment (EA) was considered the appropriate environmental documentation due to the project scope and level of uncertainty regarding potential impacts.

The NEPA Process Completed to Date

February 2012 - A Public Meeting was held to gather input related to the project.

March-December 2012 - TDOT identified a Build Alternative alignment to study in the EA, taking input from local officials, agencies, and the public into consideration.

December 2012-May 2015 - TDOT conducted technical studies and drafted the EA.

The EA was approved on September 14, 2015 by FHWA.

Project Purpose and Need

The primary purpose of the proposed project is to improve local, regional, and statewide mobility by improving traffic flow on the SR-109 corridor through the City of Portland.

Project Purpose and Need (cont.)

The need for this project is based on: Anticipated increases in transportation

demand due to planned growth and associated land use changes

Existing and projected traffic data Continued improvement in system

linkage Existing roadway deficiencies Safety concerns due to increasing

traffic, especially heavy trucks, in downtown Portland

Project Alternatives No-Build Alternative and one Build

Alternative. Build Alternative includes

construction of a four-lane divided highway with partial access control.

Design: 12-foot traffic lanes, paved shoulders, 48-foot median, 250-foot right-of-way (ROW).

Build Alternative

Build Alternative (cont.) Build Alternative includes two

SR-52/SR-109 (Portland Bypass) Interchange configuration options which were analyzed separately in the EA:Partial Folded

Diamond Folded Diamond

Environmental Resources Evaluated

Natural Resources

Socio-economic Resources

Jurisdictional Wetlands Threatened and Endangered Species Streams and Water Quality Habitat Assessment Prime Farmland Floodplains

Economic Trends/Population Displacements Land Use Community Facilities Environmental Justice

Other Resources Evaluated Hazardous Materials Karst Features (caves,

sinkholes) Noise Impacts Air Quality Impacts Cultural Resources

(historic, prehistoric, architectural)

Anticipated Benefits under the Build Alternative

Improved level-of-service (LOS) on SR-109;

Reduced traffic, especially trucks, through the central business district of Portland;

Improved regional transportation network;

Potential for safety improvements resulting from: reduction in congestion related

crashes, and improved pedestrian/bicyclists

facilities.

Impacts Associated with the Build Alternative

Streams - 19 impacted, 4,836 linear feet (folded diamond interchange) to 5,387 linear feet (partial folded diamond interchange;

Wetlands - 11 present, 2.36 acres impacted;

Ponds - 14 present, 2.3 acres impacted;

100-year Floodplains - One crossed, 1.7 acres;

Noise - 29 receptors impacted;

Impacts Associated with the Build Alternative

(cont.) Federally-listed Species:

Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat - Not Likely to Adversely Affect,

Gray Bat - Best Management Practices (BMPs) Sufficient to Minimize Harm;

State-listed Species: Orangefin Darter and Splendid Darter-

Suitable Habitat Present, but BMP’s Sufficient,

Teardrop Darter - No Suitable Habitat Present;

Impacts Associated with the Build Alternative

(cont.)

Geology - Two sinkholes identified during ecology study (to be documented further in design phase).

Cultural Resources - No NRHP-listed or Eligible Sites. However, nearby Fulghum Cemetery should be avoided;

Visual Resources - Minimal Impacts as defined in EA;

Bicyclists and Pedestrians - Beneficial impacts due to new sidewalks along SR-52 and paved shoulders.

Impacts Associated with the Build Alternative

(cont.) Displacements - 13 residences and 3 small

businesses; Environmental Justice - One minority

population was identified, but no disproportionate impacts;

Prime and Unique Farmland - 183 acres (partial folded diamond interchange to 193 acres (folded diamond interchange) impacted; and

Other Resources (Air Quality, Section 4(f), Section 6(f), Invasive Species, Hazardous Materials) - No Impacts.

What are the next steps in the process?

Planning

Environmental

Right-of-Way

Construction

Design

Review Hearing Comments Nov/Dec 2015

Select Alternative Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Prepare Final NEPA Document Dec 2015/Jan 2016

CommentsYour comments are important to us!

Participate in the question-and-answer session

Submit or mail-in comment cards Provide verbal comments to the

court reporter

Thank you for your attendance

and participation.