FEIS Preferred Alternative

Following the public hearing process and formal comment period surrounding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the Maryland State Highway Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority gathered all the comments received on the DEIS. More than 3,800 pieces of correspondence were received on the document including: letters, comment cards, emails, public/private testimony, and website comments.

During the alternatives analysis, various options for the two “build” alternatives, Corridors 1 and 2, were examined to select the most accommodating option combination for each Corridor. Decisions for each option were made to best balance the natural, cultural, and socioeconomic impacts of the options while best meeting the project Purpose and Need. Detailed information on the decisions made and the reasoning for those decisions is included in Chapter VII of the FEIS. The analysis included examination of qualitative and quantitative data in making a decision considering the following three analysis categories: Transportation; Socioeconomic/Land Use; and Environment. This analysis, in conjunction with the comments received from Federal, State, and local agencies and the public, was used to arrive at what has been identified as the Preferred Alternative for the Intercounty Connector.

On the basis of comments received on the DEIS, Corridor 1, with the proposed mitigation measures incorporated in the FEIS, has been identified as the Preferred Alternative. The following Options were selected with Corridor 1: Rock Creek Option C, Grade Separated Interchange at MD 182 (Layhill Road), Northwest Branch Option A and Terminus at US 1. The Preferred Alternative and options were identified on the basis of minimizing environmental impacts, and engineering and operational advantages.