La Crosse Area Transportation Study

Joe OlsonSW Region Director

December 8, 2014

History/Background Next Steps (Planning & Environmental Linkages

(PEL) PEL Process Schedule Questions

Presentation Outline

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North-South Corridor Study (1998)

Coulee Connections (2007)

Local Community Resolutions (2014)

History/Background

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Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study 1-year study to develop a range of solutions that

are supported by a local consensus and meet WisDOT purpose and need for the La Crosse area

Next Steps

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What is a PEL? FHWA's “Every Day Counts” initiative Study focused on time efficiency that allows planning-

level analysis and results to be used directly or by reference in a NEPA study.

A NEPA study could begin immediately upon successful completion of the PEL study.

Planning & Environmental Linkages (PEL) – continued…

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What are the advantages of a PEL? Extensive Outreach Enhances Cooperation Speeds Project Delivery Reduces Cost

Planning & Environmental Linkages (PEL) – continued…

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Comprehensive study of the entire area Extensive outreach and coordination Opportunity to modify the original purpose and need Opportunity to propose new alternatives Opportunity to eliminate outdated and unworkable

alternatives Aids in the selection of the appropriate type of

environmental document Builds trust through a transparent process

PEL Advantages in the La Crosse Area

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Develop a work plan Solicit local input Identify goals and objectives Develop criteria for strategy evaluation Develop a range of strategies Eliminate strategies not meeting criteria Solidify remaining strategies and seek additional

input Complete Final Report to document

recommendations Apply PEL results to environmental document

What is the PEL Process?

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Example PEL Goal

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Improve multimodal travel and safety in the La Crosse Area, in a way that supports economic development, acknowledges community plans, contributes positively to the area’s quality of life, and limits adverse environmental and social effects to the extent practicable.

Example PEL Objectives

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•Improve safety for all travel modes.• Address infrastructure condition and deficiencies.• Address system mobility (congestion) for all travel modes.

1.Pedestrian2.Bicycle3.Transit4.Local and regional passenger vehicles5.Freight

• Limit adverse social, cultural, and environmental effects to the extent practicable.

• Increase system travel time reliability for regional and local trips.

• Improve connections across and adjacent to roadways in the La Crosse Area for all travel modes.

• Enhance efficient regional multimodal access to La Crosse metropolitan area economic centers.

• Decrease traffic diversion impacts to neighborhood streets.• Enhance transit ridership and routing opportunities.• Improve pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.• Complement other major transportation initiatives and studies

in the La Crosse area. • Support infrastructure and other measures that encourage

alternatives to single occupancy vehicle travel.

Example PEL Objectives – cont.

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Study Kick-off (January 2015)

Develop work plan, goals and criteria (January / February 2015)

Public Outreach (January/February – October 2015)

Final Report (Late Fall 2015)

Proposed Schedule

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Joe OlsonSW Region Director

Questions?

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