PEL Process

The PEL process links transportation planning to both human and natural environmental issues. This link is accomplished by adhering to the following process. First, the PEL study will identify important environmental constraints along the corridor. These constraints will help the project identify a purpose and need for the corridor. A range of design alternatives will be developed to address the purpose and need. Through public outreach and a screening process, the design alternatives will be whittled down to the final recommended alternatives. Finally, the PEL process will identify possible funding mechanisms to advance selected design alternatives into a construction project.

The PEL process is an important tool that can speed up future project delivery along the corridor by making the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process more streamlined and efficient. Per law any federal funds used to improve the Santa Fe corridor will have to go through an in-depth NEPA study. The PEL process will identify these future improvements and also streamline the delivery of the improvements so construction can start sooner.