i_tlrc_2017a_2017-09-20t09:02:50z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 09/20/2017

Location: RM 271

09:07 AM -- CDOT Presentation on Large Transportation Projects; Mitigation Measures



Mr. Josh Laipply, chief engineer, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Mr. David Singer, Environmental Policy and Biological Resources Section Manager, CDOT, introduced their presentation and provided a handout (Attachment B). Mr. Singer discussed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Mr. Singer noted that models and policies to help CDOT assess transportation impacts, and the stakeholder process helps to inform the processes undertaken by CDOT. Mr. Singer noted that mitigation measures for large transportation projects include noise walls, water quality, and other measures. He stated that complex projects require complex mitigation. Mr. Laipply noted that the majority of projects are not overly complex. CDOT has not started significant environmental impact statement (EIS) in ten years and does not plan to because of funding constraints.



17Tran0920AttachB.pdf



09:18 AM



Mr. Singer continued by discussing the preferred alternative process. In response to a committee question regarding supplemental EISs, Mr. Singer noted that they stem from new assumptions or revisitations of previous assumptions. In response to a follow-up question related to supplemental EISs, Mr. Laipply noted that the record of decision a green light, but that the record of decision hinges on funding identification. Mr. Laipply clarified that each project timeline is different, and it does depend on the scope of the project.





09:24 AM



Next, Mr. Laipply updated the committee on several ongoing projects as outlined in Attachment B, starting with C-470 from I-25 to Wadsworth. He noted that the funding for the project is $107 million in a Transportation Infrastructure and Innovation Finance Act (TIFIA) loan and $162 million in bonds. He highlighted several aspects of the project, including that the NEPA process took 12 years; 24 public meetings were held; the record of decision was issued on December 20, 2016; and that $18 million of budget is mitigation for noise walls, water quality ponds, and prairie dog relocation.



Mr. Laipply then discussed the I-25 North project from Fort Collins to Loveland. In a response to committee questions about the starting intersection of the project, Mr. Laipply noted that CDOT is still adjusting the project scope and is conscious of local dollars and needs. After a committee question regarding the additional mitigations included in this project, Mr. Laipply noted that multimodal aspects sometimes add additional complexity to mitigation and projects.





09:31 AM



Mr. Laipply continued his presentation with a discussion of I-25 South from Monument to Castle Rock. He noted that CDOT is working to get the project planned in order to be ready when funding comes available. He noted that CDOT is currently estimating a 15-month NEPA process for this project. In response to a committee questions regarding the 30 percent design standard, Mr. Laipply stated it is a deciding point between design-build and design-bid-build.



Mr. Laipply continued by discussing I-70 West, specifically the Floyd Hill sections and the mountain express lanes. He noted for the committee several rockslide complications on the Floyd Hill section of the proposed project. Mr. Laipply noted that the I-70 mountain corridor has a Tier 1 record of decision and consensus, and stated that CDOT is looking at conceptual, low-level discussions regarding high-speed rail. In response to a committee question, Mr. Laipply noted that CDOT is trying to leverage future Senate Bill 17-267 dollars to for possibly two federal grants.





09:42 AM



Mr. Laipply then moved to discussing the Central I-70 project. Mr. Laipply highlighted the unique funding for the project and noted the exemption to hire a local workforce, which has since been revoked for future projects. He noted that CDOT will offer workforce development and childcare. In response to committee questions, Mr. Laipply discussed the NEPA process for the project along with the record of decision. After committee questions regarding property values, Mr. Laipply noted that CDOT is bound to federal laws regarding how CDOT can use federal dollars and that CDOT does an appraisal and that the property owner can get an appraisal to determine fair market value.





09:57 AM



Mr. Laipply continued by discussing the public meetings process and how that CDOT advertises those meetings and tries to set a regular schedule.





10:02 AM



In response to committee questions, Representative Mitsch Bush read a statement from the Colorado Attorney General's Office regarding the Central I-70's projects on-going litigation. In response to a committee questions, Mr. Laipply noted that project delays translate into higher project costs. He noted that several funding streams for the Central I-70 project is corridor specific and could not be transferred other projects. In response to committee questions, Mr. Laipply noted that CDOT will need to replace the viaduct if the project does not move forward.