North I-25 Planning Environmental Linkage (PEL) Project
Study Overview
Study Timeline: November 2011 to Fall 2013
CDOT conducted a study to improve conditions on Interstate 25 (I-25) from US 36 to Colorado Highway 7 (CO 7). The study evaluated existing and future operating conditions of the interstate. This study resulted in a Planning Environmental Linkage (PEL) Report that identified trouble spots and a range of improvement alternatives to reduce congestion and improve safety. This study built upon improvements in the North I-25 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the planned interim managed lanes project that will extend the tolled express lanes north to 120th Avenue.
The section of I-25 between US 36 and CO 7 is one of the most congested stretches of interstate in the Denver Metro Area. This north-south interstate currently provides three travel lanes in each direction. According to CDOT data, the average daily traffic along this stretch of I-25 is as high as 174,000 vehicles.
Throughout the study, CDOT worked closely with the local corridor communities to analyze and develop a range of improvements to reduce congestion and improve operational performance and safety. Two committees; an Executive Committee of elected officials or senior-level staff from the affected jurisdictions and oversight agencies, and a Technical Advisory Committee, composed of technical staff from the jurisdictions, agencies and regional partners such as DRCOG and RTD have provided critical input to CDOT throughout the study and at key milestones for recommendations.
The goals of this study:
- Identify the vision of jurisdictions in the corridor.
- Complete the study in accordance with the FHWA Planning Environmental Linkage (PEL) process. This will include:
- Public Outreach
- Direct involvement with local governments and special interest groups within the study area
- Coordination with State and Federal Resource agencies
- Documentation of study process, findings and recommendations to NEPA standards so information developed in this study can be appended or referenced in a final NEPA document
- Completing the PEL documentation for FHWA concurrence
- Identify existing and future problem areas in the corridor from a congestion, operational, and safety perspective.
- Identify each community’s corridor issues to
- Establish a priority list for planned improvements
- Estimate cost of improvements
- Recommend a set of phased improvements to:
- Decrease congestion and improve travel time
- Improve safety
- Enhance and expand multi-modal travel opportunities
What is Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL)?
PEL represents an approach to transportation decision-making that considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning stage and carry them through project development, design, and construction. This can lead to a seamless decision-making process that minimizes duplication of effort, promotes efficient and cost-effective solutions and environmental stewardship, and reduces delays in project implementation.
Public Participation Process
Understanding the ideas, perspectives and needs of the key stakeholders in the I-25 corridor is critical to building broadly supported decisions and solutions. CDOT will provide multiple opportunities for the cities, counties, regional partners, and general public to engage and inform the study. The outreach plan includes the following:
Work with an Executive Committee: The Executive Committee (EC) will provide input on a range of issues including the corridor vision, alternatives and improvement phasing priorities. The EC—comprised of elected officials or senior-level staff from the corridor communities along with representatives from federal and state government agencies—will be engaged at key project milestones.
Meet frequently with a Technical Advisory Committee: The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), in close coordination with EC members, will meet frequently with CDOT to provide technical input as the PEL study progresses. The TAC will include staff from the corridor communities, local, state and federal government agencies, and other regional partners. The members of the TAC will keep their respective elected officials on the EC updated and will serve as the primary connection with their communities or organizations.
Conduct Interviews and hold a Visioning Workshop: At the start of the project, CDOT will conduct interviews with key project stakeholders to understand their interests, goals, and desired outcomes for the I-25 PEL. The input from interviews will provide information for developing a Public Participation Plan that will guide CDOT’s specific involvement of corridor stakeholders. An interactive Visioning Workshop will be held with the EC and TAC members to confirm the goals and desired outcomes of the projects, which will help to inform the development and screening of alternatives..
Broad Public Outreach: The general public will be actively engaged, ensuring meaningful input is provided on the goals and objectives, alternatives and priorities for the phasing of implementing improvements. Two interactive corridor-wide public meetings will be held - one at the beginning of the process to educate the public on the PEL process and to collect input on the alternatives, and one later for the public to provide input on the recommended alternatives and prioritization. Stay tuned to this website for more information about those meetings.
I-25 Flythrough Video
PEL represents an approach to transportation decision-making that considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning stage and carry them through project development, design, and construction. This can lead to a seamless decision-making process that minimizes duplication of effort, promotes efficient and cost-effective solutions and environmental stewardship, and reduces delays in project implementation.
Public Participation Process
Understanding the ideas, perspectives and needs of the key stakeholders in the I-25 corridor is critical to building broadly supported decisions and solutions. CDOT will provide multiple opportunities for the cities, counties, regional partners, and general public to engage and inform the study. The outreach plan includes the following:
Work with an Executive Committee: The Executive Committee (EC) will provide input on a range of issues including the corridor vision, alternatives and improvement phasing priorities. The EC—comprised of elected officials or senior-level staff from the corridor communities along with representatives from federal and state government agencies—will be engaged at key project milestones.
Meet frequently with a Technical Advisory Committee: The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), in close coordination with EC members, will meet frequently with CDOT to provide technical input as the PEL study progresses. The TAC will include staff from the corridor communities, local, state and federal government agencies, and other regional partners. The members of the TAC will keep their respective elected officials on the EC updated and will serve as the primary connection with their communities or organizations.
Conduct Interviews and hold a Visioning Workshop: At the start of the project, CDOT will conduct interviews with key project stakeholders to understand their interests, goals, and desired outcomes for the I-25 PEL. The input from interviews will provide information for developing a Public Participation Plan that will guide CDOT’s specific involvement of corridor stakeholders. An interactive Visioning Workshop will be held with the EC and TAC members to confirm the goals and desired outcomes of the projects, which will help to inform the development and screening of alternatives..
Broad Public Outreach: The general public will be actively engaged, ensuring meaningful input is provided on the goals and objectives, alternatives and priorities for the phasing of implementing improvements. Two interactive corridor-wide public meetings will be held - one at the beginning of the process to educate the public on the PEL process and to collect input on the alternatives, and one later for the public to provide input on the recommended alternatives and prioritization. Stay tuned to this website for more information about those meetings.
