PIN 180581, 062807 PAC Meeting

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Welcome!
to the Lake Champlain Bridge ProjectPublic
Advisory Committee (PAC)First Organizational
Meeting 1000 AM to 100 PMJUNE 28,
2007Chimney Point Vermont State Historic Site
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MEETING AGENDA

• Introductions
• Project Overview
• Role of the PAC
• Next Steps
• Roundtable Discussion

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MEETING AGENDA

• Introductions

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Design Consultant
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SAFETEA-LU Agency Working Group
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Design Consultant
SAFETEA-LU Agency Working Group
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MEETING AGENDA

• Introductions
• Project Overview

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PROJECTLOCATION
Lake Champlain
YOU ARE HERE
Chimney Point, VT
Crown Point, NY
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BRIDGE STATISTICS

• BRIDGE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 5521180
• AGE Built in 1929
• LENGTH 14 spans,
• 2,184 feet
• ROADWAY WIDTH 26.1 feet
• STRUCTURE TYPE Combination of thru truss, deck
• truss, and deck plate girders
• BIKE / PED ACCOMMODATIONS None
• VERTICAL CLEARANCE ON BRIDGE 14 feet
• MAX VERTICAL CLEARANCE OVER WATER 95 feet

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View looking south from Crown Point, NY showing
main thru truss span at the mid point of the
bridge
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View looking east toward Chimney Point, VT from
above the thru truss
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View looking east from New York side
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View looking west from Vermont side
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Plaque at mid point of bridge marking the state
line between New York (left) and Vermont (right)
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View from Crown Point, NY historic site. Note
deck plate girders comprising the first three
spans
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View from Chimney Point, VT historic site from
below deck plate girder spans near first deck
truss
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INITIAL PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

• Bridge Condition Rating
• Score 3.764 out of a possible 7 points
• Scores between 3 and 4 indicate serious
  deterioration or not functioning as originally
  designed
• Problems are with main carrying members,
  bearings, joints, and wearing surface
• Federal Sufficiency Rating
• Score 29.2 out of a possible 100 points
• Scores less than 65 qualify for Federal funding
• Load Restricted
• R-Posted, meaning that vehicles operating
  pursuant to Permit Types that normally allow
  weights greater than 102,000 pounds (Types 6, 6A,
  7 and the new Type 9) have been prohibited from
  crossing
• Limited roadway vertical clearance of 14-0
• Trucks in excess of 14 have struck the bridge on
  several occasions, requiring the bridge to be
  closed for repair

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View of the top of pier at one end of the thru
truss
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Close-up view of steel deterioration
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Signs noting vertical clearance and weight
limitations
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PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVESPERCEIVED AS
REASONABLE(as discussed at August 29,
2006Public Information Meeting)

• Rehabilitation
• Replacement on Existing Alignment
• Replacement on Slightly Modified Alignment
• Replacement on New Alignment (New Location)

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EXPECTED ISSUES/DISCUSSSION POINTS(as presented
at August 29, 2006Public Information Meeting)

• Age of Bridge
• Historical Nature of Bridge
• Historical Nature of Area
• Pedestrian Bicyclists Accommodation (Roadway
  Bridge Width)
• Permits
• Seismic Retrofits
• Navigation Clearance (Horizontal)
• Vertical Clearance on Bridge
• Vertical Clearance Under the Bridge
• Non-redundancy of Structure
• Load Posting
• Overall Bridge Length Number of Spans
• Grades on Bridge
• Sight Distance on bridge
• Initial Project Cost
• Life Cycle Costs
• Maintenance of Traffic During Construction

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MEETING AGENDA

• Introductions
• Project Overview
• Role of the PAC
• In Public Involvement
• In the Design and Environmental Processing of the
  Project
• In the Project Decision Making Process

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ROLE OF THE PAC INPUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Public Meetings will Continue to be an important
part of Public Involvement
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PAC ROLE ACCORDING TO THE NYSDOTPUBLIC
INVOLVEMENT MANUAL
Note Citizens is synonymous with Public
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ROLE OF THE PAC IN THE DESIGNAND
ENVRONMENTAL PROCESSINGOF THIS PROJECT

• Overview of NYSDOTs design process
• Overview of Federal NEPA process
• Overview of New Yorks SEQR process
• Overview of Federal SAFETEA-LU process
• for coordination of environmental reviews
• Overview of Vermonts Land Use and
  Development Law, Act 250

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ROLE OF THE PAC IN THE DESIGNAND
ENVRONMENTAL PROCESSINGOF THIS PROJECT

• Overview of NYSDOTs design process

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NYSDOT DESIGN PROCESSFOLLOWS TRADITIONALPROBLEM
SOLVING STEPS 1 THRU 5
Prepare Scope Approval Document 2008 - 2009
Prepare Design Approval Document 2009 2010
Gather Information 2007-2008
Prepare Contract Drawings 2011 - 2012
Select Design Consultant, 2008
Build Project, 2012 - 2015
YOU ARE HERE
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ROLE OF THE PAC IN THE DESIGNAND
ENVRONMENTAL PROCESSINGOF THIS PROJECT

• Overview of NYSDOTs design process
• Overview of Federal NEPA process

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OVERVIEW OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
of 1969a.k.a. NEPA

• The underlying intent of the National
  Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is to require
  federal agencies to incorporate environmental
  considerations into project development and
  decision-making processes.
• NEPA requires federal agencies to put this
  decision- making process into writing and makes
  it open to public and judicial review at several
  levels.
• The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled
  that NEPA is a strictly procedural statute,
  meaning that although it forces agencies to
  formally consider the environmental impacts of
  their actions, it does not in any way dictate
  the final decision on the action.

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DESIGN PROCESS RELATIONSHIP TO NEPA
YOU ARE HERE
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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENTDURING THE NEPA PROCESS
YOU ARE HERE
(1),(2)
(1)

• This flowchart shows 3 separate environmental
  processes. Only 1 process is followed for any
  given project. Each process has a different
  approval document and a different expected
  duration.
• This process is used only for the most simple
  projects, such as maintenance type actions.

(1)
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ROLE OF THE PAC IN THE DESIGNAND
ENVRONMENTAL PROCESSINGOF THIS PROJECT

• Overview of NYSDOTs design process
• Overview of Federal NEPA process
• Overview of New Yorks SEQR process

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OVERVIEW OF THE NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY REVIEW ACTof 1978, a.k.a. SEQR

• SEQR requires the sponsoring or approving
  governmental body to identify and mitigate the
  significant environmental impacts of the
  activity it is proposing or permitting
• The SEQR lead agency determines the
  significance of an action's
  environmental impacts. The agency then decides
  whether to prepare an Environmental Impact
  Statement (EIS) and whether to hold a public
  hearing on the proposed action.
• In general, federal-aid projects progressed
  under NEPA guidelines satisfy all SEQR
  requirements.

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SEQR PROCEDURAL STEPS
YOU ARE HERE
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ROLE OF THE PAC IN THE DESIGNAND
ENVRONMENTAL PROCESSINGOF THIS PROJECT

• Overview of NYSDOTs design process
• Overview of Federal NEPA process
• Overview of New Yorks SEQR process
• Overview of Federal SAFETEA-LU process
• for coordination of environmental reviews

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OVERVIEW OF THE SAFE, ACCOUNTABLE, FLEXIBLE,
EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT A LEGACY FOR
USERS of 2005a.k.a. SAFETEA-LU

• Part 6002 improves the efficiency of
  environmental reviews
• Applicable to new projects advanced with
  environmental impact statements (EIS process)
• After providing opportunities for public
  and interagency involvement, DOT defines the
  project's purpose and need and establishes a
  plan for coordinating public and agency
  participation
• As early as practicable in the process,
  DOT provides an opportunity for a range of
  alternatives to be considered

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SAFETEA-LU OVERVIEW CONTINUED

• Opportunities for input are publicized
  (such as thru press releases and direct mailings
  announcing public informational meetings and via
  the project website)
• After consideration of the publics and
  participating agencys input, the Lead Agencies
  (in this case NYSDOT, VAOT, and FHWA) are the
  decision makers.
• Lead Agency decisions and rationale are
  documented and disclosed to the participating
  agencies and the public

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SAFETEA-LU Agency Working Group
The Agency Working Group is one tool for
obtaining participating agency input. This group
is comprised of representatives of
The Public Advisory Committee is one tool for
obtaining public input. The PAC is comprised of
representatives of

• Federal Highway Administration
• Army Corps of Engineers
• Environmental Protection Agency
• US Fish and Wildlife Agency
• National Park Service
• US Coast Guard
• NYS Department of Transportation
• VT Agency of Transportation
• NYS Historic Preservation Office
• VT Division for Historic Preservation
• NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation
• VT Agency of Natural Resources
• Adirondack Park Agency

• Elected Officials
• Historic Interests
• Residential Interests
• Business Interests
• Recreational Interests
• Agricultural Interests
• Environmental Interests

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ROLE OF THE PAC IN THE DESIGNAND
ENVRONMENTAL PROCESSINGOF THIS PROJECT

• Overview of NYSDOTs design process
• Overview of Federal NEPA process
• Overview of New Yorks SEQR process
• Overview of Federal SAFETEA-LU process
• for coordination of environmental reviews
• Overview of Vermonts Land Use and
  Development Law, Act 250

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OVERVIEW OF VERMONTS LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT
ACT of 1970a.k.a. ACT 250

• The Vermont legislature formally stated in
• 1969, Act 250 was necessary to
• . . . Regulate and control the utilization
• and usages of lands and the environment
• to insure that, hereafter, the only usages
  which will be permitted are not unduly
  detrimental to the environment...."'
• One regional planning commission recently
• explained the purpose this way
• "The goals of Act 250 are to protect the
• environment. . . and to provide a forum
• for neighbors, municipalities and other
  interest groups to voice their concerns."

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ROLE OF THE PAC IN THE PROJECTDECISION
MAKING PROCESS
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PAC MEMBER NETWORKING WITH THEIR INTEREST GROUPS
TECHNICAL ADVICE PROVIDED TO THE PAC
LEAD AGENCY DECISIONS
SAFETEA-LU Agency Working Group
AGENCY INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC
OTHER PUBLIC AND AGENCY INPUT
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NYSDOT / VAOT Make Decisions
Note Some PAC members have not been identified
and/or confirmed.
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MEETING AGENDA

• Introductions
• Project Overview
• Role of the PAC
• Next Steps

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NEXT STEPS FOR THE DESIGN TEAM

• Aerial Photos Completed Spring 2007

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Flight line diagram showing aerial photo locations
Example aerial photo
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NEXT STEPS FOR THE DESIGN TEAM

• Aerial Photos Completed Spring 2007
• Mapping Scheduled for completion Fall 2007
• Pier Cores Scheduled for completion Summer
  2007
• Bridge Inspection Scheduled for completion Fall
  2007
• Load Rating Expected Fall 2007
• Design Consultant Designation expected early
  to mid 2008

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How is a Consulting Firm hired?

• NYSDOT internal request process
• Advertisement published
• Interested firms submit proposals
• NYSDOT selection process includes computer
  scoring and selection committee
• Firm is designated
• Detailed Scope of Services is developed
• Fees are negotiated
• NYS Comptroller approves Agreement
• Consultant starts work

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NEXT STEPS FOR THE DESIGN TEAM

• Aerial Photos Completed Spring 2007
• Mapping Scheduled for completion Fall 2007
• Pier Cores Scheduled for completion Summer
  2007
• Bridge Inspection Scheduled for completion Fall
  2007
• Load Rating Expected Fall 2007
• Design Consultant Designation expected early
  to mid 2008
• NY/VT Agreement Finalization expected Fall 2007

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NEXT STEPS FOR THE DESIGN TEAM

• Aerial Photos Completed Spring 2007
• Mapping Scheduled for completion Fall 2007
• Pier Cores Scheduled for completion Summer
  2007
• Bridge Inspection Scheduled for completion Fall
  2007
• Load Rating Expected Fall 2007
• Design Consultant Designation expected early
  to mid 2008
• NY/VT Agreement Finalization expected Fall 2007
• PAC Formation Finalize / prepare for Fall 2007
  meeting
• Project Web site Create / update

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NEXT STEPS FOR THE PAC

• Review materials provided at initial meeting
• Begin networking with representative groups
• Reconvene in the Fall of 2007
• Elect officers
• Adopt charter

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PAC CHARTER DOCUMENT
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NEXT STEPS FOR THE PAC

• Review materials provided at initial meeting
• Begin networking with representative groups
• Reconvene in the Fall of 2007
• Elect officers
• Adopt charter
• Establish meeting procedures

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Such as . . .
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NEXT STEPS FOR THE PAC

• Review materials provided at initial meeting
• Begin networking with representative groups
• Reconvene in the Fall of 2007
• Elect officers
• Adopt charter
• Establish meeting procedures
• Continue discussion

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MEETING AGENDA

• Introductions
• Project Overview
• Role of the PAC
• Next Steps
• Roundtable Discussion

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PACROUNDTABLEDISCUSSION

• Please share with the group your answers to these
  questions
• Why did you volunteer to serve on the PAC?
• What do you hope to be able to bring to the
  table?
• What do you hope to get out of this experience?
• Do you have any questions or concerns at this
  point?

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Thank YouforParticipating!
Special thanks to the Chimney Point State
Historic Site for allowing use of their
facilities for todays meeting.