Data Collection – Gathering and documentation of the transportation, environmental and socio-economic data on existing conditions within the project area; projection of future travel demands; and identification of a range of improvement alternatives to consider. (February 2003 – March 2004)
Conceptual Alternatives Development and Screening – Development and macro-level screening of initial improvement alternatives to select alternatives to carry forward for detailed development and evaluation. (January 2004 – January 2005)
Preliminary Design and Impact Analysis – Detailed design development, refinement and comparative engineering, cost, right-of-way requirements and environmental impact analysis of each alternative. Summary of findings and recommendations to meet Project Purpose and Need documented in Draft Environmental Impact Report. (January 2005 – July 2006)
Public Hearing – Presentation to Governor’s Special Commission of recommended Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative ( LEDPA ) to meet Project Purpose and Need, and the nature, extent and cost of the environmental impact mitigation program. (September 21, 2006)
Final Environmental Impact Statement – Documentation and response to public comments received at and subsequent to the Public Hearing on the estimated benefits, costs and impacts associated with the recommended improvement alternative and associated environmental mitigation program. (November 2006 – May 2008)
The process will require approximately 5 years to complete, with the Final EIS completed in January 2008, and Federal Highway Administration's Record of Decision (ROD) targeted for May 2008. The process has been conducted within a dynamic public participation process. An Advisory Task Force (ATF), representing community stakeholders, was established and met regularly to provide input to the NHDOT and the consultant team and to provide a conduit for dissemination of project information to their respective constituencies. A series of meetings and workshops with local officials, in conjunction with public informational meetings and meetings with state and federal resource agencies were conducted during the course of the project.
