POSITION STATEMENT: I-70 IMPROVEMENT STUDY
Position
MARC supports efforts by MoDOT to improve travel across Missouri in the I-70, US-36 and US-50 corridors. Based on the information from the I-70 Improvement Study, MARC supports the strategy to improve I-70 on its current alignment, combined with proactive implementation of appropriate transportation demand management (TDM) and transportation systems management (TSM) strategies, and encourages MoDOT to continue with improvements to US-36 and US-50.
Issues
Travel
Benefits - improving I-70 on its current alignment
would provide immediate travel benefits as each segment was completed.
Additionally, segments could be prioritized and improvements scheduled
to coincide with the time that the improvement was most needed. The parallel
facility by comparison would provide limited travel benefits until completed
across the entire state. Even then, travelers going completely across
the state on the parallel facility would see travel time savings of only
15 minutes as compared to the travel time on an improved I-70. Travelers
using only a portion of the new parallel route would likely experience
more travel time trying to get to and from the facility on perpendicular
routes, and there would be related routing issues inside urbanized areas.
These issues would likely create pressure over time to add access points
to the new parallel facility, further reducing the travel time savings
it might offer.
Economic Development
- many communities along existing I-70 have focused their economic base
around points of access to the interstate. Missouri should support and
reinforce this existing development rather than develop a parallel corridor
that would compete for development. Existing I-70 continues to provide
ample economic development opportunity to the state of Missouri.
Public Safety - the communities along I-70 currently assist with emergency response to incidents on the interstate. Many of these communities are small in size and would have difficulty providing such service to existing I-70 and a new parallel facility.
Cost - improving I-70 on its current alignment
has the lowest construction cost per mile and has the lowest overall operating
and maintenance cost.
Environmental
Impacts - improving
I-70 on its current alignment should have limited environmental impacts,
beyond those created by the interstate as it exists today. While a parallel
facility would share the current Rocheport crossing of the Missouri River,
thus lessening environmental impacts at that sensitive location, along
the remainder of the corridor it would have numerous impacts to wetlands,
streams and other natural habitat, and it would reduce productive farmland.
Design Options - Missouri should continue to approach the
improvements to I-70 on a statewide basis, and should consider using design-build
and other construction management techniques (such as enlarging the size
and scope of individual improvement projects) to reduce both the time
and cost to provide the improvements. Designs should be flexible to minimize
right-of-way requirements and disruptions to existing communities along
I-70. Flexible design options to be considered should include single point
diamond interchange designs and reduced median widths at developed locations.
Additionally, the use of frontage roads in the final design should be
limited to reduce their unintended consequence of promoting less compact
development patterns.
Goods Movement - MARC believes the safety of motorists, the
efficient movement of goods and services and the long-term economic benefits
for the State may require an emphasis on segregating truck and passenger
car traffic. Because of this belief,
MARC supports an in-depth review and analysis to determine whether separate,
high-speed traffic lanes should be constructed along the existing alignment.
MARC further supports the construction of such traffic lanes to
be operated as toll roads, if necessary, to ensure adequate maintenance
and repair for the benefit of the shipping and transport industries.
High Speed Rail - the strategy to improve I-70 on its current alignment, and the strategies for a parallel facility all include preservation of space for future high speed rail between Kansas City and St. Louis. MoDOT should preserve this future option for the I-70 corridor, even as flexible designs are considered. MARC also recommends that MoDOT determine, as a part of the I-70 Improvement Study, the most efficient method to link/improve existing rail systems in the State to support the utilization of a high speed rail line between Kansas City and St. Louis for the movement of passengers and freight.
Background
The
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has been conducting an I-70
Improvement Study to identify strategies to improve the service, safety
and efficiency of the interstate across Missouri. According to MoDOT,
I-70 faces two long-term challenges. First the roadway is deteriorating.
While I-70's roadbed and pavement were designed with a 20 year life, today
the sections range in age from 34 to 43 years. Second, much of I-70 is
carrying more traffic than it was designed to accommodate. MoDOT projects
that without improvements, the entire length of I-70 will exceed capacity
by 2020.
Seven strategies have been identified for the I-70 corridor: no build, transportation system management/transportation demand management, I-70 widening, new parallel facility, new parallel toll road, high occupancy vehicles, and high speed rail. Each of these strategies was evaluated relative to roadway capacity, traffic safety, roadway design features, system preservation, moving goods efficiently, and providing access to recreational facilities. In each case, the parallel routes of US-36 and US-50 were assumed to be 4-lane expressways. Based on the evaluation, three of the strategies (I-70 widening, new parallel facility, and new parallel toll road) were found to accomplish the purpose and need for improving I-70. The remaining strategies (with the exception of no-build) were found to partially accomplish the purpose and need, and could be looked at in combination with either widening or new parallel facilities. MoDOT and the HNTB Consultant Team provided an in depth briefing to TTPC and local leaders in the I-70 Corridor in July. Based on the information provided at the briefing, and on input received at the August TTPC meeting, MARC has developed this position statement.