From MDOT.org
What is
an Environmental Impact Statement?
An EIS is
the documentation of a study for federal projects that are expected to have
significant social, economic, and/or environmental impacts. The purpose
is to determine what impacts a transportation project might generate in
regard to the natural and physical environment as well as the relationship
of people with that environment. Issues such as impacts to wetlands, streams,
rivers and wildlife as well as homes, churches, businesses and communities,
will be studied in relation to the proposed project.
Why do we
need a new 1,600-mile interstate?
I-69 is needed to support the movement of commodities, specifically goods
and materials, between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This new highway
also is planned to provide economic growth potential to all states within
the corridor, particularly economical depressed areas such as the Mississippi
Delta and Southern Texas.
How much
trade is going on now between the U.S., Canada and Mexico?
It is estimated that four billion tons of freight are already being transported
through our country each year. As trade increases between Canada, the United
States, and Mexico, freight also will increase. Therefore, I-69 will increase
the nation's capacity to accommodate projected demands in freight movement
from border to border, thus significantly reducing travel times and overall
costs.
How will
I-69 benefit Mississippi and Mississippians?
I-69 will serve the communities in the state that do not have direct access
to the U.S. interstate highway system. Once completed, I-69 is expected
to provide the region with new opportunities for economic growth, as well
as improved access to education, health and commercial services.
Since this
project is so large, how is it being managed?
The study area of the I-69 corridor has been divided into 32 separate sections
called "Sections of Independent Utility" (SIU). This is so each
SIU could be a viable project standing on its own and serving a local area,
even if all of the sections of I-69 were not completed. The transportation
agencies for the states through which the I-69 corridor passes have the
responsibility of studying those segments within their borders.
Where are
the SIUs located in Mississippi?
There are four sections in Mississippi. SIU #9 is located in both Mississippi
and Tennessee. This SIU begins just north of Memphis near Millington, Tenn.,
and ends at the I-55 and new State Route 304 interchange in DeSoto County.
SIU #10 is located entirely in Mississippi. It includes the re-located section of State Route 304 between I-55 and US 61 in DeSoto County and a spur to the existing section of State Route 304 in Tunica County. This section has already been approved as part of the I-69 corridor and is under construction.
SIU #11, the longest segment in the state, begins at the new State Route 304-spur junction with existing State Route 304 in Tunica County. It will extend to the south through several Mississippi Delta counties and end at State Route 1 near Benoit, Miss. (see map)
SIU #12 is the last section of the I-69 corridor in Mississippi. This section starts at State Route 1 near Benoit, Miss., and proceeds to the southwest across the Mississippi River into Arkansas and ends near McGehee, Ark. A previously completed study conducted for this section indicates that the preferred location for the Mississippi River crossing of the I-69 corridor is the previously-approved location of the Great River Bridge.
How do I
get more information on this project?
A consulting team contracted by the Mississippi
Department of Transportation that includes representatives of Neel-Schaffer,
Inc., Kimley-Horn and Associates,
Inc., Coastal Environments Inc., and Ken Weeden and Associates, Inc.,
is conducting the study.
The latest
information on the project may be obtained by contacting the I-69 Project
Manager, Robert Walker with Neel-Schaffer, Inc., or E. Claiborne Barnwell,
MDOT Environmental Engineer, at the following addresses:
Robert Walker,
P.E.
Neel-Schaffer, Inc.
P.O. Box 22625
Jackson, MS 39225-2625
(601) 948-3071
i69@neel-schaffer.com
or
E. Claiborne Barnwell
MDOT Environmental Division
P.O. Box 1850
Jackson, MS 39215-1850
(601) 359-7920
cbarnwell@mdot.state.ms.us
