Month 20XX Project Scoping Report PIN XXXX.XX

Month 20XX Project Scoping Report PIN XXXX.XX

PROJECT SCOPING REPORT
Month 20XX


For 100% State funded projects delete the FHWA logo below.

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Month 20XX Project Scoping Report PIN XXXX.XX

PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET

A. IPP Approval: / The project is ready to be added to the Regional Capital Program and project scoping can begin.
The IPP was approved by
Regional Director
B. Recommendation for Scope Approval / The project cost and schedule are consistent with the Regional Capital Program.
Regional Planning & Program Manager
Regional Design Engineer
C. Scope Approval: / The project cost and schedule are consistent with the Regional Capital Program.
Regional Director

PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET i

PROJECT SCOPE 1

1.1. Introduction 1

1.2. Purpose and Need 1

1.2.1. Where is the Project Located? 1

1.2.2. Why is the Project Needed? 1

1.2.3. What are the Objectives/Purposes of the Project? 1

1.3. What Alternative(s) Are Being Considered? 2

1.4 How will the Alternatives Affect the Environment? 2

1.5. What Are The Costs & Schedules? 3

1.6. Which Alternative is Preferred? 4

1.7. What are the Opportunities for Public Involvement? 4

1.  Critical Design Elements

2.  Social, Economic and Environmental Resources Checklist

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Month 20XX Project Scoping Report PIN XXXX.XX

PROJECT SCOPE

(Go to end of this document for instructions on turning on/off GREEN text during document preparation and for summary of changes)

This report should utilize a brochure style format to briefly discuss the highlights of the project. It shall be limited to 8 pages (including graphics) for moderate projects and 10 pages (including graphics) for complex projects. The intent of the page limitation ensures the executive summary focuses on the project’s critical issues. Also, it can be readily adapted to serve as a meeting brochure and can be readily understood.

1.1. Introduction Include reference to 23 CFR Part 771 if project has or requires a federal action including funding, federal permit or interstate access modification. 17 NYCRR Part 15 applies to all projects for which NYSDOT is the SEQRA Lead Agency. For projects where NYSDOT is not the SEQRA Lead Agency use “6 NYCRR Part 617.”

This report was prepared in accordance with the NYSDOT Project Development Manual, 17 NYCRR (New York Codes, Rules and Regulations) Part 15, and 23 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 771. Transportation needs have been identified (section 1.2), objectives established (1.2.3) to address the needs, and cost-effective alternatives developed (1.3). This project is federally funded 100% State funded.

1.2. Purpose and Need

1.2.1. Where is the Project Located?

Include a project map developed utilizing both ArcMap and snag-it, or similar method. For additional Guidance on ArcMap see Design Section’s GIS Webpage. The minimum mapping information should include (in a text bubble):

(1)  Route number

(2)  Route name

(3)  SH (state highway) number and official highway description

(4)  BIN (Bridge Identification Number) and feature crossed

(5)  City/Village/Township

(6)  County

(7)  Length

(8)  From RM XXXXXXXXXX To RM XXXXXXXXXX

(9)  Briefly describe existing conditions in terms of the no. and widths of travel lanes, turn lanes, parking lanes and shoulders, general vertical and horizontal alignment, pavement condition, speed limit(s), known geometric deficiencies, type and age of bridge, no. and length of spans, and any other description information which is pertinent.

1.2.2. Why is the Project Needed?

Identify and describe transportation needs and/or respective concerns which the proposed action is intended to satisfy (e.g., provide system continuity, alleviate traffic congestion~ and correct safety or roadway deficiencies). In many cases the project need can be adequately explained in one or two paragraphs.

1.2.3. What are the Objectives/Purposes of the Project?

See Project Development Manual Appendix 4 when establishing project objectives. Project objectives are what the project is meant to accomplish; the desired results of the project; the outcomes of the project that meet the identified needs or remedy stated problems. Therefore, objective(s) will be unique to each project.

Project objectives provide evaluation criteria (measures of effectiveness) for comparing how well alternative solutions fulfill identified needs. Objectives should be listed or grouped in order of importance. When the objectives do not completely satisfy identified needs, an explanation should follow.

A proper statement of project objectives has several characteristics. The statements should include the following:

·  Describes the desired results of the project in a manner that is appropriately specific.

·  Is consistent with available resources

·  Gives time frames for achievement

·  Allows achievement to be measured

NOTE: If the proposed project would also assist in accomplishing other objectives not directly identifiable as part of the problem(s), these should be described as well.

Objectives must be specified such that design alternatives can be evaluated against these objectives. Objectives should not define or state specific solution(s) to the problem but should define goal(s) the alternatives are striving to meet. Some examples are listed below.

CHOOSE APPROPRIATE OBJECTIVE:

(1)  Restore the bridge condition rating to ___, or greater, for at least __ years using cost effective techniques to minimize the life cycle cost of maintenance and repair.

(2)  Improve overall traffic conditions using cost effective methods to reduce delay and to provide an acceptable level of service, for a design period of ___ years.

(3)  Address geometric deficiencies to improve traffic flow and facilitate traffic operations.

(4)  Correct identified pavement deficiencies that will extend the useful life of the highway and maintain it in a structurally sound condition using cost effective pavement treatments which provide low life cycle costs.

(5)  Restore pavement to good condition and ride-ability using cost effective pavement treatments which provide a service life of ___ years.

(6)  Correct safety deficiencies using cost effective accident reduction measures such that accident reduction benefits equal or exceed project costs attributable to safety work.

(7)  Improve existing facilities and services using cost effective measures to eliminate the degradation of mainline level of service, and improve level of service or reduce the hours of delay at LOS E for the design year.

On projects where a law, Executive Order or regulation (e.g. Section 4(f), Executive Order 11990 or Executive Order 11988) mandates an evaluation of avoidance alternatives, the explanation of the project objective should be more specific so that avoidance alternatives that do not meet the stated project objective can be readily dismissed.

1.3. What Alternative(s) Are Being Considered?

Begin the GreenLITES scorecard to remind you of sustainable design choices that may be considered as the project progresses. For information contact the Regional GreenLITES Coordinator.

Provide a brief description of the alternatives (that are reasonable and most closely meet the objectives) that are or have been considered, supplemented by a presentation style typical section(s). The no-build/maintenance alternative should be considered and discussed briefly. Profiles should generally not be included in this chapter. Presentation style plans should be included for realignments, interchange reconfigurations and major intersection work.

When there are several alternatives, different colors for each alternative may be useful. More in-depth information/data may be included as an attachment, which can also cover the alternatives that were deemed not reasonable (eliminated from further study).

Choice #1:

Refer to Attachment ___ for the design criteria. No nonstandard features are anticipated.

Choice #2:

Refer to Attachment ___ for the design criteria. The following nonstandard features are anticipated with Alternative ___. Justifications for the nonstandard features will be prepared in preliminary design as the alternatives are refined further.

List nonstandard features.

1.4 How will the Alternatives Affect the Environment?

Exhibit 1.4-A
Environmental Summary
NEPA Classification / Select OneNo Federal ActionClass II AutomaticClass II ProgrammaticClass II w/ DocClass I EISClass III EA / BY / Select OneFederal Highway Administration (FHWA)NYSDOT
SEQR Type: / Select OneExemptType IINon-Type II (EA)Non-Type II (EIS) / BY / NYSDOT
Exhibit 1.4-B
Comparison of Alternatives /
Category / Alternatives /
No Build/Maintenance / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 /
Wetland impacts / None / 2.81 acres / 2.08 acres / 2.66 acres / 2.72 acres
100 year floodplain impact / None / 3.1 acres / 3.1 acres / 3.1acres / 3.1 acres
Archeological Sites Impacted / None / 7 sites impacted / 7 sites impacted / 7 sites impacted / 7 sites impacted
Noise / None / Moderate impact / Moderate impact / Minor impact / Minor impact
Impact to forested areas / None / 24.8 acres / 23.3 acres / 15.8 acres / 20.3 acres
Noise Impacts / None / 4 Residences / 4 Residences / None / None
Property impacts / None / 94 acres
6 businesses
1 residence / 94 acres
6 businesses
2 residences / 70 acres
6 businesses
1 residence / 75 acres
6 businesses
1 residence
Operation at ETC + 20 / 15 min delay / 4 min delay / 3 min delay / 1 min delay / 1 min delay
20 year Crash Costs / $21M / $2M / $2M / $1M / $1M
Construction Cost / None / $14M / $15M / $20M / $21M

The above table should be modified to include the items thathelp differentiate between the alternatives(including the no-build/maintenance alternative). For example, load rating might be a row for a bridge project and tons of air pollutants for a capacity improvement project. If mitigation measures are proposed for the project, include a brief description of what they are and the cost.

Anticipated Permits/Certifications/Coordination:

(Briefly list along with the status of any anticipated permit(s), certification(s) and coordination required for the project. Refer to attached environmental checklist.)

NYSDEC:

·  State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit

·  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Article 24- Freshwater Wetlands Permit (PP 95-02)

·  Mined Land Permit

·  Floodplain Variance

·  Wild, Scenic, Recreational Rivers Permit

·  Water Quality Certification (Sec 401) of the FWPCA

USCG (Reference Appendix H for USCG Checklist)

·  U.S. Coast Guard Section 9 Permit

USACOE

·  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Section 404 Nationwide Permit #3- Maintenance Activities in all Waters of the U.S.

·  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Section 404 Nationwide Permit #33- Temporary Construction, Access, and Dewatering

·  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Section 404 Nationwide Permit #14- Linear Transportation Projects

·  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Section 401/ NYSDEC Title 5 Water Quality Certifications

·  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit #23- Approved Categorical Exclusion

·  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Section 10 Permit

NYSDOS (Reference whether or not there is a Local Waterfront Revitalization Development (LWRD) Plan)

·  Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Statement

·  Coastal Zone Local Waterfront Revitalization Certification

EPA

·  NPDES General Permit

APA

·  Adirondack Park Agency General Permit (2002G-3)

Coordination

·  Coordination with NYSDEC pursuant to the “NYSDEC/NYSDOT Memorandum of Understanding Regarding ECL Article 15 & 24”

·  Coordination with Federal Highway Administration

·  Coordination with New York State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)

·  Coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service

·  Coordination with the New York Natural Heritage Program

·  Coordination with the Adirondack Park Agency

Certifications

·  NYSDOL: Asbestos Variances (Licensed Designer Specifications/Notes)

Others

·  Article 25 Tidal Wetland Permit

·  Aquifer Permit

·  Construction Staging Permit

·  Construction Borrow Area Mining Permit

·  Construction Solid Waste Disposal Permit

·  Local Permits

·  Coastal Zone Erosion Permit

·  Coastal Erosion Hazard Permit (Article 34)

·  Airport Air Quality Certification

·  Indirect Source Air Quality Permit

·  Historic or Archaeological Impacts on Federal 106

1.5. What Are The Costs & Schedules?

Refer to PPMIS software for the initial cost and schedule. During scoping, the designer needs to develop costs and a schedule using accepted practices such as an itemized estimate based on bid histories and MS Project.

Choice #1: (no preferred alternative selected)

All reasonable alternatives are under consideration. Refer to Section 1.4 for the costs of the reasonable alternatives. Design Approval is scheduled for ___ of 20__ and Construction is scheduled to last ___ months beginning in ____ of 20__.

Exhibit 1.5
Project Schedule /
Activity / Date Occurred/Tentative /
Scoping Approval
Design Approval
ROW Acquisition
Construction Start
Construction Complete

Choice #2: (One preferred alternative under $100M)

Exhibit 1.5
Cost and Schedule
Basis of Estimate / Select OneItemized EstimateFrom Comparable Projects
Agreements Needed / Select OneYesNoTo Be Determined
Betterments / Select OneYesNoTo be Determined
Project Phase / Date / Estimated Cost
(millions) / Fund Source
Design Approval
ROW Acquisition / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State
Construction Start
Construction Complete / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State

Choice #3: (Required for projects with a total estimated cost of $100 m or more)

Exhibit 1.5
Cost and Schedule
Basis of Estimate / Select OneItemized EstimateFrom Comparable Projects
Agreements Needed / Select OneYesNoTo Be Determined
Betterments / Select OneYesNoTo be Determined
Project Phase / Phase Start / Activity Duration / Staff Months / Resource / Estimated Cost
(Millions) / Fund Source
Scoping / Select oneOtherRegionMain Office / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State
Preliminary Design / Select oneOtherRegionMain Office / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State
Final Design / Select oneOtherRegionMain Office / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State
ROW Incidentals / Select oneOtherRegionMain Office / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State
ROW Acquisition / Select oneOtherRegionMain Office / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State
Letting / Select oneOtherRegionMain Office / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State
Construction / Select oneOGSContractorOther / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State
Construction Inspection / Select oneOtherRegionConsultant / Select One80 Federal / 20 State100 State

1.6. Which Alternative is Preferred?

The example statement provided below is intended for Moderate type projects. It may be expanded if necessary for EIS projects to provide a brief rationale for the preferred alternative.