I-49 CONNECTOR SUMMARY BRIEFING

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MARCH 10, 2017

State Project Number: H.004273.5

Federal Aid Project Number: H004273
CONTENTS

Summary Briefing for the I-49 Lafayette Connector Project

Background
Concept Refinement Process
Community Vision and Values
Identification of Range of Concept Refinement Alternatives
Three-Tiered Evaluation Process
Upcoming Project Schedule/Next Steps
Determination of Tier II Concept Refinement Alternatives moving forward
Tier III Evaluation of Remaining Concept Refinement Alternatives
Determination of 2 end-to-end Tier III Concept Refinement Alternatives for
further environmental analysis
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 I-49 CONNECTOR
PROJECT HISTORY AND
BACKGROUND
PROJECT HISTORY

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BACKGROUND

CSS Process Re-initiated in October 2015.

12 years had passed since:
Completion of Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in 2002
Publication of Record of Decision (ROD) in 2003
In Fall 2015, it became apparent that the community desired a
more in-depth discussion and evaluation of potential refinements
to the original I-49 Lafayette Connector Concept (2003 Selected
Alternative).
In response, DOTD inserted a Concept Refinement Process into
the CSS Program.

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 I-49 CONNECTOR
CONCEPT REFINEMENT PROCESS
CONCEPT REFINEMENT PROCESS

Initiated in order to gather input from the community at-large and

the CSS Committees [Community Working Group (CWG), Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC), and Executive Committee (EC)] to:
1. Review and discuss the changes that had taken place in the community;
2. Identify potential refinements to the I-49 Connector Concept based on
these changes; and
3. Review those potential refinements from a community and technical
perspective, through a three tiered evaluation process prioritizing the
various planning and design considerations, eventually leading to
concept refinement alternative recommendations for environmental
analysis.
Concept Refinement and Decision-Making Process to establish
refined I-49 Connector alternatives was initiated in January 2016.
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CONCEPT REFINEMENT AND
DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
I-49 Lafayette Connector Concept Refinement Ideas
Partner Agencies (FHWA, DOTD, LCG, APC)
Community Input Opportunities (Project Launch Event, Key Stakeholder
Interviews, Ambassador Program/Speakers Bureau, Community
Workshop)
Adjacent Corridor Neighborhood Outreach (Corridor Walkabouts,
Neighborhood Meetings/Events, Leadership Meetings)
Community Working Group (CWG)
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
Draft Evaluation Process Developed
Input from CWG and TAC
Recommendation from EC

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CONCEPT REFINEMENT AND
DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
Three-tiered Refinement Concept Screening/Evaluation Process
CWG & TAC Input and EC Recommendation at every Tier of
Screening/Evaluation
Higher Level Screening during Tier I
Detailed Evaluation Criteria applied during Tiers II and III Evaluation
CWG and TAC to provide input on I-49 Lafayette Connector
Refined Concepts (carry 2 Refined Concepts into environmental
analysis) to EC for Review and Recommendation
Present to LCG City Council and MPO for their consideration
and input
Present to FHWA for concurrence to move further into
environmental analysis
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THREE-TIERED EVALUATION PROCESS

Tier I Screening high-level screening of the Universe of Concept

Refinement Alternatives against evaluation criteria under three
broad categories:
Transportation Engineering Considerations
Environmental Considerations
Community Context Considerations
Tier II Screening A detailed technical feasibility analysis of the
various features of the Concept Refinement Alternatives that
move into Tier II based on Tier I Screening.
Tier III Evaluation A detailed community and technical
evaluation of hybrid Concept Refinement Alternatives composed
of the various core and PDM features determined to be feasible
based on Tier II feasibility analysis. 10
COMMUNITY VISION AND VALUES WORKSHOP

First step in the Concept Refinement Process -- craft an

overarching vision for the I-49 Lafayette Connector corridor and
the interface between adjacent development and existing
neighborhoods.
A half-day Community Vision and Values Workshop was conducted
on January 23, 2016 to provide information and obtain input from
the community at-large about technical concepts related to:
Corridor Alignment (based on 2002-2003 FEIS/ROD concept),
Potential Bridge and Structural Design Features,
Potential CSS Solutions, and
Environmental Issues
Identified priorities and values of community members to begin
formulating a community-wide vision. 11
INPUT MECHANISMS FOR CONCEPT
REFINEMENT ALTERNATIVES
DOTD/LCP Team initiated a community and stakeholder outreach
process
A Comprehensive Neighborhood and Community Outreach
Program was developed to maximize the opportunities for
neighborhood residents and community members to provide their
input. Outreach program included the following:
Neighborhood Leadership Meetings (September-November 2015)
Local Church Pastoral Outreach Meetings (September-November 2015)
Corridor Walkabouts (February 2016)
Sterling Grove Historic District/Neighborhood Association Meeting
Regular neighborhood leadership update meetings
Participation in regularly-scheduled neighborhood meetings
Participation in targeted community/neighborhood events
Project-sponsored Neighborhood Forums/Open Houses
Participation in targeted community media channels 12
INPUT MECHANISMS FOR CONCEPT
REFINEMENT ALTERNATIVES ( C O N TD .)
In addition, meetings were held with Partner Agencies and Key
Stakeholders to receive input that would inform the development
of Concept Refinement Alternatives. These included:
Acadiana Planning Commission (APC)
Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG)
One Acadiana
Downtown Development Authority

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 I-49 LAFAYETTE CONNECTOR
UNIVERSE OF CONCEPT REFINEMENT
ALTERNATIVES
I-49 LAFAYETTE CONNECTOR REFINEMENT
CONCEPTS UNDER CONSIDERATION
Existing 2003 FEIS/ROD Selected Alternative and Modifications
(1A, 1B)
Core Area Single Interchange Concepts (2A, 2B)
Split Diamond Downtown Interchange (3A, 3B, 3C)
Evangeline Thruway and Parkway Connectivity Systems
Concepts (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F)
Evangeline Corridor Local Street System Concept (5A)
Semi-Depressed I-49 Lafayette Connector Mainline (6A, 6B, 6C,
6D, 6E)

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SERIES 1 REFINEMENT CONCEPTS
EXIST IN G 2 0 0 3 F EIS/R O D SEL EC T ED A LT ER N ATIVE A N D
MOD IFIC AT ION S ( 1 A , 1 B )
1A

1B

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SERIES 2 REFINEMENT CONCEPTS
C O R E A R EA SIN G L E IN T ER C H AN GE C O N C EPT S ( 2 A , 2 B )
2A

2B

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SERIES 3 REFINEMENT CONCEPTS
SPL IT D IA MON D D O W N TOWN IN T ER C H A NGE ( 3 A , 3 B , 3 C )
3A

3B

3C

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 SERIES 4 REFINEMENT CONCEPTS
EVA N G EL IN E T H R U WAY A N D PA R K WAY C O N N EC TIVITY
SYST EM S C O N C EPT S ( 4 A , 4 B , 4 C , 4 D , 4 E, 4 F )
4A 4B

4C 4D

4E 4F

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SERIES 5 REFINEMENT CONCEPT
EVA N G EL IN E C O R R IDOR L O C A L ST R EET SYST EM
C O N C EPT ( 5 A )
5A

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 SERIES 6 REFINEMENT CONCEPTS
SEM I - D EPR ESSED I - 4 9 L A FAYET T E C O N N EC TOR M A IN L IN E
( 6 A , 6 B , 6 C , 6 D , 6 E)
6A 6B

6C 6D

6E

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 I-49 LAFAYETTE CONNECTOR
POTENTIAL DESIGN MODIFICATIONS
POTENTIAL DESIGN MODIFICATIONS

Ideas for other design refinements along the corridor, which

related to corridor elements outside of the Core Area, were
identified as Potential Design Modifications (PDMs)
PDM # Description
1 Provide a wider separation between mainline elevated structures
2 Realignment of Evangeline Thruway and 2nd/3rd Street Intersection
3 Realignment to achieve Castille/MLK Connection
4 Evaluate Northbound (NB) Braided Ramps in Selected Alternative within Downtown Area
5 Evaluate Southbound (SB) Braided Ramps in Selected Alternative within Downtown Area
6 Resolution of impacts to a new school (Episcopal School of Acadiana) along Kaliste Saloom Road
7 Resolution of new hotel (Wood Spring Suites) property impacts on Hugh Wallis Road
8 Resolution of auto dealership impacts south of University Avenue
Elevate or eliminate frontage roads through Beaver Park, impacting east/west connectivity in park and
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along Vermilion River
Minimize airport impacts by evaluating potentially depressing University Avenue/Surrey Street under I-
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49, or vice versa 23
POTENTIAL DESIGN MODIFICATIONS (CONTINUED)
PDM # Description
11 Provide more and better bicycle/pedestrian crossings across corridor
12 Provide bicycle/pedestrian pathways the full length of I-49 Connector corridor
Convert one local street across the corridor between Downtown and adjacent neighborhoods into
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bicycle/transit/pedestrian-only corridor
14 Identify and evaluate location of Signature Bridge(s)
Elevate I-49 Connector on structure between Jefferson and Johnston Streets, allowing enhanced local
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connectivity to/from neighborhoods and downtown (and Rosa Parks Transportation Center)
Raise mainline structure in Downtown area higher than 22-feet to create gateway to Downtown
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without visually impacting adjacent neighborhoods
17 Provide UPRR underpass at Pinhook Road
Resolution of potential impacts to historic properties, such as Sterling Grove Historic District (SGHD) and
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new Freetown Port Rico Historic District (FPRHD)
Optimize circulation access to/from St. Genevieve Catholic Church along Evangeline Thruway (or other
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options)
20 Improve capacity at I-10/I-49 systems interchange ramps
Minimize/remediate impact to Live Oak Tree in the median of I-49 Connector Corridor within North
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Gateway area of corridor
Straighten the NB Thruway near SGHD to move the impact further away from St. Genevieve Catholic
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Church
TIER I EVALUATION
TIER I EVALUATION CRITERIA

Engineering Considerations
1. Local Traffic Operations
2. Restoration of Urban Street Grid
3. Intermodal Connections (Air, Rail, Bus)
4. Corridor Safety
5. System Linkage
6. Network Mobility
7. Hurricane Evacuation
8. Current Evangeline Thruway Travel Demand Relief

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TIER I EVALUATION CRITERIA (CONTINUED)

Environmental Considerations
9. Planned Freeway in Evangeline Thruway Corridor
10. Conformity with the Intent of Federal Legislation
11. Regional and Local Government/Agency Support
12. Historic Resource Impacts
Community Context Considerations
13. Multimodal Neighborhood Connectivity Across Corridor
14. Economic Development Support/Downtown Access
15. Reinforcement of Neighborhood Land Use Patterns
16. Facilitation of Joint Development Opportunities
17. Accommodation of Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation and Safety
18. Establishment of an Activity Corridor that is Uniquely Lafayette

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TIER I EVALUATION RESULTS

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TIER I EVALUATION RESULTS (CWG & TAC)
CWG Scores TAC Scores
I-49 Lafayette Connector Refinment Concepts
Total Score Rank Total Score Rank
1A Base Case - Selected Alternative from FEIS/ROD with (Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) 35 18 42 19
1B Base Case with Tight Urban Diamond Interchange (TUDI) 34 19 45 18
2A Core Area Single Interchange - Johnston Street 44 12 47 16
2B Core Area Single Interchange - 2nd/3rd Street 43 14 47 16
3A Core Area Split Diamond/ At Grade Connector Roads 39 17 49 14
3B Split Diamond/Depressed Open Connector Roads 42 16 51 11
3C Split Diamond/Depressed Closed Connector Roads 44 12 51 11
4A Thruway Connectivity System - New RR Grade Separations 53 6 61 1
4B Thruway Connectivity System - No New RR Grade Separation 54 5 60 2
4C Thruway Paired Two-Way Connectivity System - No New RR Grade Separation 56 4 59 3
4D Evangeline Parkway Connectivity System - No New RR Grade Separation 59 1 59 3
4E Thruway Paired Two-Way Connectivity System - With Additaional RR Grade Separation 57 3 59 3
4F Evangeline Parkway Connectivity System - With Additaional RR Grade Separation 58 2 59 3
5A Evangeline Corridor Local Street System - Johnston Street TUDI / Frontage Roads 43 14 49 14
6A Semi-depressed I-49 Mainline - Approx. Pinhook to Hobson 48 11 50 13
6B Covered Semi-depressed I-49 Mainline 50 9 53 8
6C Covered Semi-depressed I-49 Mainline with Relocated Johnston Street 51 8 53 8
6D Covered Semi-depressed I-49 Mainline 50 9 53 8
6E Covered Semi-depressed I-49 Mainline and Railroad 52 7 55 7

Score Description
1 Substantially Unfavorable
2 Moderately Unfavorable
3 Neutral (No significant change from the Selected Alternative)
4 Moderately Favorable
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5 Substantially Favorable
CWG/TAC RECOMMENDATION FOR
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

Carry Forward to Tier II Evaluation

Series 4 Refinement Concepts
Series 6 Refinement Concepts
Selected Alternative (1A) (as a baseline for comparative
purposes)

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EVANGELINE CORRIDOR INITIATIVE (ECI)
DESIGN ALTERNATIVE
ECI Team conducted a week-long Design Charette focusing on conceptualizing
ideas for neighborhood revitalization, and interface with the I-49 Connector.
Evangeline Thruway Redevelopment Team (ETRT) submitted a resolution to the
DOTD/LCP Team in June 2016 to include the recommendations of the Design
Charette into Tier I Evaluation as a new Concept Refinement Alternative.
Recommendations included as PDM #23 for detailed evaluation in Tier II, since:
Tier I Evaluation process was already in an advanced stage
Evaluation of 19 Concept Refinement Alternatives had been completed by the CSS Committees
PDM # Description
Evangeline Corridor Initiative (ECI) Concept
23 -1 Use Concept 6E mainline alignment (tangent alignment parallel to UPRR corridor) in 4 Series
23-2 Maintain UPRR mainline corridor in current alignment (do not relocate)
23-3 Maintain Mudd Avenue connection across I-49 Connector
23-4 Maintain 12th Street as an additional connection across I-49 Connector
23-5 Provide Taft / 14th Street underpass across I-49 connector
23-6 Provide Castille / MLK Roundabout at I-49 connector Overpass
23-7 Provide Willow Street roundabout at Traffic Interchange 31
TIER II EVALUATION
TIER II EVALUATION / TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Series 4 & 6: Technical Feasibility Study

Summarize Findings in Technical Memorandum
PDMs: Investigate and Carry Forward Feasible Options
Concept 1A: Carry Forward for Comparison Purposes
Determine Feasibility of Concept Refinement Alternative
Components and PDMs that will move forward into Tier III
Evaluation

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TIER II EVALUATION / TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Set of Technical Criteria were developed for evaluating the

viability of various elements of Series 4 and 6 Concept
Refinement Alternatives
A high-level technical analysis was conducted and results
presented to DOTD/FHWA & CSS Committees in October 2016
Tier II Technical Analysis:
describes each of the Series 4 and 6 Concept Refinement Alternatives
investigated within the core area (1A, 4, and 6),
identifies and addresses the feasibility of the key design elements of
the Series 4 and 6 concepts, and
combines the feasible elements of these concepts into workable
Comparison Concept Refinement Alternatives (4.1, 4.2, 6.1, and 6.2)

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SERIES 4 COMPARISON CONCEPTS
C O M PA RISON C O N C EPT S ( 4 .1 , 4 .2 )
4.1

4.2

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SERIES 6 COMPARISON CONCEPTS
C O M PA RISON C O N C EPT S ( 6 .1 , 6 .2 )
6.1

6.2

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TIER II EVALUATION / TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

A high-level technical analysis was also conducted on the

Potential Design Modifications (PDMs) and potential options
for resolving the core issues were identified.
Results of Tier II Technical Analysis were presented to:
CSS Committees (CWG, TAC, EC) in October and November 2016
Community at-large at an Open House Public Meeting on November 30,
2016
CSS Committees provided feedback on the Tier II Tech Memo
Findings, and completed a PDM Preference Survey Matrix.
Feedback from the CSS Committees and the community at-
large was summarized and presented back to CSS Committees
in December 2016.
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FINDINGS OF TIER II TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Based on the results of the Tier II technical analysis, the

following conclusions have been reached:
Series 4 Concept Refinement Alternatives generally are the most
favorable options for providing a hurricane evacuation route through the
Lafayette Metropolitan Area.
Series 4 Concept Refinement Alternatives will allow for maximum land
area under the elevated portions of the freeway structure for community
facilities, joint use activities, and/or connectivity.
Series 6 Concept Refinement Alternatives will only allow a 0.1% grade for
gravity flow drainage of the tunnel into the Vermilion River, and is likely
to flood during a major storm event.
Realignment of Johnston Street in Series 6 Concept Refinement
Alternatives will likely cause significant impacts to the Freetown Port-
Rico Historic District.

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FINDINGS OF TIER II TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
(CONTINUED)

Series 6 Concept Refinement Alternatives (cut-and-cover/tunnel) will

require vehicles carrying hazardous materials to be routed along the
frontage roads and Evangeline Thruway, interfacing with local streets and
neighborhoods.
Series 6 Concept Refinement Alternatives will require all cross-streets
within the Core Area to be raised on structure or embankment over the
I-49 Connector. Johnston Street will also have to span over the UPRR.
Series 4 Concept Refinement Alternatives capital cost estimates are
significantly less than Series 6 Concept Refinement Alternatives.
Annual O&M costs are substantially higher for a tunnel in the Series 6
Concept Refinement Alternatives than an elevated roadway in Series 4.
CSS planning and design features (e.g., aesthetic, cultural, landscape,
urban design, community facility, joint use development, Signature
Bridge, etc.) can be incorporated into whichever Concept Refinement
Alternative is selected.
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FINDINGS OF TIER II TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

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UPCOMING PROJECT SCHEDULE /
NEXT STEPS
TENTATIVE PROJECT SCHEDULE / NEXT STEPS
March - April 2017
EC Meeting to attain Consensus Recommendation
1 Set of CSS Meetings to discuss Series / Concepts moving forward
1 Set of CSS Meetings to discuss PDMs moving forward

April June 2017: Tier III Evaluation

Further screening & input on Hybrid Elements in north, middle and south zones
of project
Develop two (2) End-to-End Hybrid Concepts, in addition to Concept 1A (2003
Selected Alternative)

June 2017
Present 2 Hybrid Concepts to CSS Committees and Open House Public Meeting,
and obtain input for refinement

July 2017
Present Revised 2 Hybrid Concepts to CSS Committees and Open House Public
Meeting, and advance into ongoing SEIS process
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THANK YOU