What's happening now with the East Columbia EIS?

"The East Columbia EIS Project Team is currently writing the project's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS). The Draft EIS details the purpose and need for the project, the alternatives that are being considered, the impacts of these alternatives, public involvement efforts, and the preferred alternative alignment for the East Columbia study. The Draft EIS is expected to be completed in late Fall 2008. Once it is completed, interested stakeholders will be notified where paper copies of the document will be available for review and comment. An electronic copy of the Draft EIS will also be placed on this website."

Project stakeholders have a number of upcoming opportunities to provide input on the project. Comments on the approved Draft EIS will be accepted during the Draft EIS's 45-day comment period and at the project's Public Hearing in late 2008. Following the receipt of comments on the Draft EIS, the project team will address all substantive comments and prepare the Final EIS. The Final EIS also includes a comment period for stakeholder input. In addition to these formal comment opportunities, project stakeholders are always encouraged to provide comments via the project's email address at EastColumbiaEIS@ch2m.com.

To view more information about the project, please check out the Frequently Asked Questions.

How can the public submit questions or comments?

Email Us: EastColumbiaEIS@ch2m.com
Call Us: 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636)
Write Us: EC-EIS Study, CH2M HILL, 727 North First Street, Suite 400, St. Louis, MO 63102

What are the Transportation Issues to be Addressed?

Also known as the Purpose and Need of the project, the transportation issues to be addressed by the East Columbia EIS include:

1) Address Traffic Congestion and Safety Concerns: The current roadway network’s congestion and crash environment are expected to worsen over time. This initiative will address existing and forecasted crash “hot spots”, and look at ways to ease congestion and improve overall mobility.

2) Connect the Major Highway Linkages between Eastern Boone County and Columbia: The existing roadway system has areas that do not connect. This project will investigate ways to safely and efficiently connect to Routes 70, 63 and 740.

3) Improve Access to Eastern Columbia: This effort is to designed to create a more clearly defined “gateway” to the communities in Eastern Columbia, as well as to accommodate adequate pedestrian and bicycle facilities and advance the area’s growth and development goals.