Update on Interstate 3 and Corridor K

Melanie MayesThanks to:Axel RingeHugh IrwinCharley KrausJim Grode

Outline

• WaysSouth– Stop I-3 Coalition– Corridor K Coalition– Alternatives including rail – www.wayssouth.org

• Interstate 3• Corridor K– TN link: US64 Ocoee Gorge– NC link: Robbinsville to Andrews

Interstate 3 in the News

• Kingsport, Knoxville, Nashville, Chattanooga TN• Winston-Salem, Asheville NC• Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Savannah GA• Singapore

• August 2005 – the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU) passed by the US House and Senate

• Omnibus transportation bill

• Provides $1.6 million to describe steps and estimate funding to construct interstate 3 from Savannah to Knoxville via Augusta

• including $300K from GA

• Sponsored by late Charlie Norwood, US Rep. GA District 10 and Senators Chambliss and Iskason

How did the Idea of Interstate 3 Get Started?

Stated Purpose of Proposed I-3:

• For military transport purposes• To improve the economy of the

area• To honor the Third Infantry

Division

2010 I-3 Study• Scope– ICF International, Wilbur Smith Associates– Develop 4-5 alternate routes (study area) and design

levels– Costs and steps for construction of each route– Recommendations for additional “sub-studies” on

economic, social, environmental factors• Cost – $1.6 million over 1-2 year ($400K planned)

Primary Tasks of I-3 study

• Kickoff Meeting• Inventories• Expert Working Group (EWG)• Project website• Control points• Public involvement• Study alignments and design levels• Detailed spatial analysis• Draft estimates and costs• Final Report to Congress (Spring 2011)• Recommendations of sub-studies

Overarching Principles of Study

• Respect the statutory language• Follow the statement of work• Collaborate with the EWG, agencies, and public• Consistency with FHWA guidance on cost

estimating for major projects• Consistency with linking planning and

environmental processes• Stay on schedule

Expert Working Group (EWG)• 3-4 meetings in 2010-11 • Attending meetings, reviewing data, sharing

information, and making recommendations• Input on report to Congress (Spring 2011)

documenting potential routes, steps to completion, and costs – Recommendations on optional related sub-studies

• Closed meetings, minutes posted at FHWA project website www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/sec1927corridors.htm

Expert Working Group (EWG)Kickoff Meeting Sept 16, 2010 Atlanta GA

Non-Federal EWG Members Federal EWG Members

Augusta-Richmond Co. Planning Commission Cleveland MPOCoastal Region MPOGeorgia Department of Community Affairs Georgia DOTKnoxville Regional TPONorth Carolina DOTTennessee DOTWaysSouth/Stop I-3

Appalachian Regional CommissionEastern Federal LandsEPA Region 4FHWA GA DivisionFHWA NC Division (video)FHWA TN Division (video)National Park Service, Southeast RegionUS Army Corps of EngineersUS Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast RegionUS Forest Service, Southern Region

No SC participation

Status update

• Purpose and need are not well defined• GA, NC, TN DOTs have no planned or projected

requirement for a NW-SE corridor– Not present in any long-range plans– No supporting traffic studies– Lack of SC participation, lack of NC-TN funding

• No specific requirement for new roadbed• No requirement for states to follow up

4 Lines of Argument1. Military does not move via highways, there

are numerous existing routes, freight moved best by rail

2. Is this really the best way to honor the 3rd ID?3. Interstates are inconsistent with existing

tourism-based development 4. Cost

The Military Travels by Air and Sea, Not Highways

Interstate 3 is not needed• Savannah has two interstates, I-95 and I-16

– Primary highway routes for Savannah port freight– Efficient and existing rail routes to Atlanta and Knoxville for

container freight from port

• 4-lane Savannah River Parkway to Augusta connects Savannah to I-20

• GRIP: 4-lane route through GA– I-20 to GA-17, GA-17 to US441 to Toccoa, 441N through Franklin,

NC to US23 to I-40 west of Asheville– Only 4 lane exceptions are

• Georgia 17 between Toccoa and I-20. Has local proponents but is a lower priority for GDOT

• Small section of 441 N of Clayton, may happen in 2013

Savannah to Knoxville by I-95, I-26, I-40 is 419 miles – shorter than any stated route of I-3 (~466

miles)

Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah Already Served by Four-lane Highway

Forts Gordon and Stewart connected by new Savannah River Parkway Four-lane Highway

Georgia 17, when four-laned, will adequately serve the area between I-20 and I-85

Would I-3 be an Effective way to Honor the Third Infantry Division?

• Is spending several billion $$ on a highway the best memorial we can afford?

• 2 museums in existence

Memorial at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning

Would I-3 Improve Economic Development?

• An interstate would actually degrade economy of the Southern Appalachians

• It would jeopardize recreational resources that businesses depend on