Final EIS is Approved and Available for Review and Comment

The Federal Highway Administration and the Missouri Department of Transportation have approved the final environmental document for the East Columbia Environmental Impact Statement (EC-EIS). The study document details how proposed roadway improvements in the area between Interstate 70 south to New Haven Road, and U.S. 63 east to Route Z, could impact the natural and man-made environment.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must now go through a comment period to allow the public to review the final document.

The EC-EIS was prepared to address the following critical elements that define the project’s purpose and need: 1) Address traffic congestion and safety concerns, 2) Complete the major highway linkages between eastern Boone County and Columbia, and 3) Improve access to eastern Columbia. The document’s “Notice of Availability” will be published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2009, beginning the public comment period that will run through January 18, 2010. The study’s Final EIS will be available for review at the following locations in the mid-Missouri area:

• City of Columbia, City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, Columbia
• MoDOT’s Central District Office, 1511 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City
• Columbia Chamber of Commerce, 300 S. Providence Road, Columbia
• Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut, Room 210, Columbia
• Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway, Columbia
• Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission, 206 E. Broadway, Ashland

Comments must be emailed or post marked by January 18, 2010.

Final Environmental Impact Statement

Next Steps for the Project

After the comment period closes, MoDOT will address substantive public and agency comments by publishing a "Record of Decision" that marks the conclusion of the study. The Record of Decision will explain the study's findings and any commitments made as a result of the study.

There is currently no funding to construct the improvements proposed in the study. Should funding become available, the completed document assures that MoDOT could move quickly to start design and construction.

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, 1034 South Brentwood Blvd., Suite 2300, St. Louis, MO 63117