I-95, Section 200 Project Planning
Location: Baltimore & Harford County, Maryland
Client: Maryland Transportation Authority
JMT provided the full range of planning-level services,
including environmental studies, engineering alternatives, travel
demand forecasts, and right-of-way assistance, for the proposed
expansion of 17 miles of I-95.
This study focused on improvements to 17 miles of Interstate 95
in northeast Maryland, including interchanges and access to the
Maryland House Travel Plaza located in the median of I-95. The
forecasted average daily traffic growth rates were expected to
increase between 40 to 50 percent for portions of the study
area. The purpose of the planning study was to address
capacity and safety needs on Section 200 and thereby improve
access, mobility, and safety for local, regional, and
inter-regional traffic, including passenger, freight, and transit
vehicles. The study evaluated barrier-separated Express Toll Lanes
and General Purpose Lanes.
JMT's environmental staff completed evaluations for two mainline
alternatives, multiple interchange options for four interchanges,
and ten proposed park and ride locations. The project area included
several major river and stream crossings and resided within seven
sub-watersheds. JMT conducted wetland delineation, large tree
surveys and forest characterization along the Section 200 study
area. This area included all Waters of the U.S. and wetlands within
200 feet of the edge of existing roadway, including 155 identified
wetlands and 263 identified non-tidal Waters of the U.S.
Environmental documentation included completion of Noise
Technical Report; Air Quality Analysis; Cultural Resources and
Section 106; Natural Environmental Technical Reports; and Community
Effects Analysis; and culminated in approval of an Environmental
Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impacts
(FONSI). JMT prepared the Jurisdictional Determination (JD)
Request Application and wetland delineation mapping in accordance
with the requirements of the 2005 JD guidance/checklist. JMT also
conducted the Jurisdictional Review with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and completed the Joint Permit Application for the
project, which included more than 120 impact plates. JMT staff
conducted a preliminary search for wetland and stream mitigation
opportunities, presented the mitigation strategy, and conducted a
field review of potential sites and opportunities as part of the
Agency Scoping Meeting and Preferred Alternative Conceptual
Mitigation Package.
JMT traffic engineers performed travel demand forecasts and
capacity analysis, evaluating general purpose lanes and express
toll lanes at four interchange locations. This included the
development of an Interstate Access Point Approval report. They
also provided environmental traffic services for air and noise
analysis and an Indirect and Cumulative Effects Report, and
assisted with EA/FONSI and public involvement.
JMT right-of-way agents assisted the planning team in evaluating
right-of-way options. Cost estimates were completed for general
purpose lane alternate, express toll lane alternate and various
options at four interchange locations, and included partial and
full acquisitions, damages, and relocations. JMT also
interpreted right-of-way and roadway construction plans,
investigated questions involving partial taking severance damages,
and conducted negotiations for both entire and partial acquisitions
for eminent domain purposes.
This major project included extensive public outreach
efforts. Critical to the success was the use of clear and
concise graphics to depict the various engineering, environmental
and community topics. Activities included public meeting
displays, focus group presentations, briefings with key
stakeholders and elected officials, newsletters and brochures, and
a web site.
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