Finding of No Significant Impact Arthur Avenue CM 7-2(36)94 CN 4611 in City of Missoula Missoula County Submitted Pursuant to 42USC 4332(2)(c) 49 U.S.C. 303 and Sections 2-3-104, 75-1-201 M.C.A. by the Montana Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration March 2011 Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Selected Alternative .................................................................................................................................. 1 Basis for Decision .................................................................................................................................. 1 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation ................................................................................................. 3 Comments and Coordination.................................................................................................................. 5 EA Distribution ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Public Hearings ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Comments Received .............................................................................................................................. 6 Clarifications to the EA ............................................................................................................................ 6 Process to Change Highway Designation ......................................................................................... 6 Roundabout Use..................................................................................................................................... 7 Additional Clarifications and Corrections ........................................................................................ 8 Response to Comments ........................................................................................................................ 8 Appendices Appendix A: Public Hearing Transcript ........................................................................................... A-1 Appendix B: Comments and Responses ........................................................................................... B-1 Appendix C: Environmental Assessment ......................................................................................... C-1 1.0 Introduction This document summarizes the final coordination activities undertaken by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to complete the Arthur Avenue Environmental Assessment (EA). This document has been developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended; Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, Parts 1500-1508; the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA); and other applicable laws and regulations. The EA, which is attached as Appendix C, describes the potential social, economic, and environmental effects of reconstructing Arthur Avenue from 6th Street to 5th Street, including the intersections; realignment of the US Highway 12 eastbound couplet between Madison Street bridge and the 6th Street/Maurice Avenue intersection; and realignment of the US Highway 12 westbound couplet between the Madison Street bridge and the Arthur Avenue/5th Street intersection. 2.0 Selected Alternative Due to public opposition of the project, MDT and the FHWA have decided to designate the ―No-Build‖ Alternative as the selected Alternative. This decision does not preclude further action by the City of Missoula or the University of Montana. However, as this route is a state highway, any future consideration of this proposed project would require additional MDT and public involvement. At this time, the City of Missoula and the University of Montana are working to develop a locally funded project in order to provide interim improvements to address basic safety issues associated with the high volume of pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles entering the University of Montana campus and passing through onto US Highway 12. The primary focus is to improve safety, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists. The proposed local project improves traffic flow to the extent necessary to address safety issues. A different number of lanes on Arthur Ave, as well as pedestrian crossing widths would be provided. MDT has committed to assisting with the cost of the project using state funds. Additional environmental review in accordance with MEPA will be conducted. 2.1 Basis for Decision As described in the EA, the Arthur Avenue project was proposed for purposes of improving traffic flow, reducing out-of-direction travel, and improving safety. The project is needed to meet demands of a mixed variety of motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, while maintaining adequate capacity for highway traffic. Approximately 25 alternatives were evaluated that included minimal, moderate and extensive improvements. Minimal improvements included alternatives such as new pavement markings, signal changes, and advance signing. Moderate improvements included alternatives for realignment and roundabouts, while extensive improvements included fly over and new overpass structures. Section 2 of the EA provides a detailed description of the alternatives evaluated. The preferred build alternative, generated cooperatively between MDT, FHWA, the City of Missoula, and the University of Montana proposes to reconstruct Arthur Avenue from 6th to 5th Street, including intersections. The proposed project would also include realignment of the US Highway 12 east bound couplet (traffic flowing north from Madison Street bridge) between the Madison Street bridge and 6th Street/Maurice Avenue intersection; and realignment of the U.S. Page | 1 Highway 12 west bound couplet (traffic flowing south from Madison Street bridge) between the Madison Street bridge and Arthur Avenue/5th Street intersection. A detailed analysis of the preferred build alternative is provided in the EA. Additionally, this alternative would result in the ‗use‘ of a significant publicly owned park and historic site protected under Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act. As such, a Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation prepared by the FHWA was included in the EA. Even though the preferred build alternative provides a safe and efficient system that meets the project‘s purpose and needs, this alternative was opposed by the majority of the people who attended the public meeting and/or provided written comments on the project. Much of the public opinion voiced favored a re-designation/redirection of US Highway 12 or a small roundabout alternative, and/or expressed concern about the lack of continuity with neighborhood character provided by the preferred build alternative. There were approximately 224 comments received during the public comment period. The following descriptions generally outline the comments made during the Public Hearing on April 25, 2006, as well as written comments received during the comment period. Comments fell into some general categories and the percentage of comments falling into these categories is shown as well. 40% favored a re-route of several local roads, particularly a re-designation and/or redirection of Highway 12 for heavy vehicle traffic. The same percentage expressed concern about a possible increase in traffic volume and vehicle speeds. 20% expressed concern over the accessibility and safety resulting from increased road dimensions. 20% supported or suggested the use of roundabouts to facilitate intersection traffic. 20% opposed the removal of Jeannette Rankin Park, historic homes, and/or local trees. 15% expressed concern about increased air and noise pollution resulting from stop-and- go traffic patterns. 5% commented on the special event capacity of the proposed design. 5% expressed concern about the local cultural impacts of the proposed design. 120 signatories on a comment postcard expressed concern over the proposed design‘s effect on local air pollution and driving patterns resulting from increased traffic volumes, as well as concerns about utilizing public parkland for transportation projects. The proposal to re-designate and/or redirect Highway 12 was not within the scope of the EA and therefore, was not evaluated as a possible alternative. A more detailed discussion of the process to re-designate a highway is provided in Section 4.1 below. In evaluating the comments received, MDT and FHWA determined that the preferred build alternative would not result in any significant impacts to the human environment. The preferred build alternative would not result in added capacity to the overall system. Traffic stop time would be expected to decrease resulting in decreased emissions. As such, air quality benefits are expected to occur with the preferred build alternative. Although unavoidable, negative impacts to park and historic properties would occur with the preferred alternative, these impacts are not considered significant. All possible means to avoid and/or minimize impacts would be provided. Page | 2 The lack of support for the proposed project is the sole determinate for reaching a ‗No Build‘ decision. The evaluation of the proposed project,