MACTEC’s Route 54 EA Honored by ACEC

MACTEC's Environmental Assessment for Missouri Route 54 has received an Honor Award from ACEC/Missouri. The award recognizes excellence in performing significant projects.

The St. Louis office completed the route location study and environmental assessment for a two-mile section of new four-lane divided freeway through the heavily developed Lake of the Ozarks area. Heading the effort were Ray Steege, Project Director, and Steve Coates, Project Manager. Lois DuMey and Christie DuMey handled the environmental and socioeconomic assessment tasks, and Brian Mueller did the GIS work. Rich Hart and Greg Jolly performed GeoPak and CADD design, and Jeff Strickland ran a highly successful public involvement program.

The 24-month study performed for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Central District required numerous alternative routing and interchange concepts to minimize impacts to land use and the environment and to gain public acceptance.

Regional traffic congestion led MoDOT to seek a way to accommodate increasing numbers of vehicles using a single road corridor in rugged terrain with steep hillsides. After studying various approaches, MACTEC, assisted by traffic consultant Crawford Bunte Brammeier, determined that building a road on a new alignment was preferable to upgrading the existing roadway or trying to manage traffic with signals and rerouting vehicles.

Working closely with MoDOT Central District staff, MACTEC devised an innovative one-way couple interchange design for the highly congested south end of the corridor. This design featured a split diamond interchange with a companion one-way road to produce continuity and safety by dividing east- and west-bound traffic onto separate one-way roads joined by one-way collector ramps. On-and off-ramps complete the interchange at the ends of the diamond.

Opposition to the original alternative for the new Route 54 freeway was particularly vocal among condominium residents (507 signed a petition against the proposal). Another contentious issue was the unconventional one-way couple interchange. An extensive public involvement program helped allay concerns. Public meetings at key locations in the prospective corridor were frequently held. One meeting was devoted to the concerns of the condominium development that was the center of opposition to the original plan. Using VISSIM simulation software, the study team graphically demonstrated the traffic situation and the effects various alternative approaches would have on traffic. High quality static displays created by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software helped document the respective noise and congestion reduction impacts of the alternatives.

Results exceeded client expectations by bringing the report in $200,000 below budget. Budgeted cost was $790,000, and actual cost was $550,000, a measure of effective project management. The team met its delivery schedule of early 2004 by delivering its final report on May 4, 2004.

The Route 54 Environmental Assessment and Location Study provides the groundwork for roadway improvements that will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and allow sustainable community development by creating a new roadway while preserving the existing facility as a local road.