In 2011, project engineers and environmental specialists assessed the environmental impacts that could result from the implementation of the I-285 top end alternatives that were developed and are currently under consideration. As a result of this effort, many historic houses and historic districts, as well as parkland were identified within the potential area of impact for the build alternatives under consideration. Because this project is being sponsored with state and federal funds, the historic resources, districts and parkland are considered Section 4(f) resources under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is required by law to protect these areas. As a result, design engineers worked to reduce the footprints of the build alternatives affecting Section 4(f) properties including elevating the alignment, tunneling the alignment, or reducing the right-of-way or lane width. All of these avoidance and minimization changes to the alignment of the alternatives result in changes to the overall project cost. So in addition to assessing alternatives to avoid adverse impacts on Section 4(f) resources, the project team also worked to update project costs.
The three areas identified in the I-285 top end corridor were Allen Park in Sandy Springs, Carver Hill Historic District/Happy Valley Historic District located on both sides of I-285 near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, and the GM Plant.
Revisions to the build alternatives are mostly complete and will be finshed in 2012. You can view the updated alternatives here or via the interactive mapping tool.
In 1966 Congress established the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), an important program aimed at conserving the historical and cultural resources of the nation. Section 106 of the NHPA requires federal agencies to consider the effects on historic properties of projects they carry out, approve, or fund. In the state of Georgia, GDOT’s Office of Environmental Services (OES), on behalf of the lead federal agency (in most cases the Federal Highway Administration [FHWA]), carries out Section 106 obligations for all transportation projects that receive federal funding, permitting, or participation. Section 106 review guarantees that preservation values are considered in transportation planning decisions in Georgia. Sometimes, however, there is no way for a needed project to proceed without harming historic properties (an “adverse effect”). Because of Section 106, GDOT and the lead federal agency must assume responsibility for the consequences of the projects they carry out and be publicly accountable for their decisions.
The Department of Transportation Act (DOT Act) of 1966 included a special provision - Section 4(f) - which stipulated that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other DOT agencies cannot approve the use of land from publicly owned parks, recreational areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, or public and private historical sites unless the following conditions apply:
There is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of land.
The action includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the property resulting from use.
