Decision Point 6: Preferred Alternative

In the sixth decision point, the project team is studying the impacts of the alternatives in the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The Task Force and Oversight Team will use this information to help make a recommendation on a preferred alternative and funding strategy.

Comments will be gathered on the DEIS after it is published. Join the mailing list to get notified when the document is ready for review.

Decision Point 5: Alternatives for EIS

The fifth decision point applied the evaluation criteria (established in decision point three) to the alternatives (developed in decision point four), and screened out those that did not meet the minimum requirements or the project Purpose and Need. A small number of alternatives were selected for detailed evaluation in the draft environmental impact statement (EIS).

Funding Survey This survey asked the public to use the funding tool to explore the funding options and then provide feedback about these options. Approximately 40 people took the survey, which was open from April 10 through May 18. Read some of the frequently asked questions.

Open House Summary Over 270 people attended the open houses on November 8 and 14. Attendees were encouraged to submit comments on the 13 preliminary alternatives the open house. The open house summary lists the comments that were gathered during both open houses.

Preliminary Alternatives Survey This survey asked the public to review the 13 preliminary alternatives that were developed by the community Task Force and the project management team. Approximately 100 people took the survey, which was open from November 1 through December 3.

Decision Point 4: Range of Alternatives

The fourth point in the decision process determined the range of alternatives considered. All alternatives or solutions that could potentially solve the identified problem were considered. The aim was to ensure stakeholders were consulted and all of their ideas were put "on the table."

Open House Summary Over 150 people attended the open houses on June 26 and 27. Attendees were encouraged to submit comments on the preliminary river crossing alignments and interchange types, improvements that can be made to the existing bridges, and other ideas to reduce congestion, the open house summary lists the comments that were gathered during both open houses.

Preliminary Concepts Survey This survey asked the public to review preliminary concepts that were developed by the community Task Force and the project management team. Approximately 36 people took the survey, which was open from June 26 through July 10.

Developing Concepts Survey This survey was available online from April 18 through June 26, 2007 and was completed by 57 individuals. The survey asked if improvements were needed on the existing bridges, the local street system, and if new bridges would be necessary.

Public Comments Received by Email and Postal Mail Twenty additional comments were submitted during Decision Point 4.

Decision Point 3: Evaluation Framework

The input collected at the December Open Houses and earlier surveys was used in the development of the Evaluation Framework.

Help us reach you Survey This survey asked how the project can get information out to the public, how well the website functions, and other information gathering questions. The survey was available online from January 2 through April 17, 2007 and was completed by 39 individuals.

Public Comments Received by Email and Postal Mail Twenty additional comments were submitted during Decision Point 3.

Decision Point 2: Purpose and Need

The project team presented a draft Purpose and Need Statement at the December Open Houses. Based on what the project team heard from the public, the Purpose and Need Statement was refined. This statement will be used for the rest of the project when considering what the best alternative for the project will be.

Open House Summary Approximately 130 people attended the open houses on December 6th and 7th. Members of the public had the opportunity to discuss the project, and issues surrounding it, with staff members and members of the Task Force. The comments heard by the project team were summarized for the community Task Force.

Draft Purpose and Need Statement Survey This survey was completed by 76 individuals online between November 22 and December 20, 2006. The intent of this survey was to gather information about the draft Purpose and Need Statement.

Community Values and Issues Survey This survey was completed by 97 individuals online between October 3 and November 1, 2006. This survey helped the project team to get a better idea of the community, their values, and the issues surrounding transportation over the Marion and Center bridges. This information assisted the project team with the creation of the Purpose and Need Statement.

Public Comments Received by Email and Postal Mail Nine people submitted comments between the opening of the website and the end of Decision Point 2.

Decision Point 1: Management Structure and Decision Process

No comments were collected during this phase of the project.