Interstate 30 PEL Report
In April 2014, ArDOT began the I-30 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to identify the purpose and need for improvements within the I-30 PEL study area, determine possible viable alternatives for a long-term solution and recommend alternative(s).
PEL Report
In April 2014, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (formerly AHTD) began the Interstate 30 (I-30) Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to identify the purpose and need for improvements within the I-30 PEL study area, determine possible viable alternatives for a long-term solution and recommend alternative(s) (herein referred to as PEL Recommendation(s)) that can be carried forward seamlessly into National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) studies. This document presents an overview of the I-30 PEL Study documenting the detailed analyses completed throughout the PEL process.
Download the PEL Report
What is the PEL process?
The PEL process was established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide a more efficient process of evaluating a full range of transportation concepts and identifying the preferred improvements. This process allows early, planning-level decisions to be carried forward to accelerate future National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) activities.
PEL Study FAQs
PEL Report Appendices
Appendix A – Purpose and Need Report
Purpose and Need Report
This document includes the Purpose and Need statement and provides supporting information for the development of the PEL Recommendation(s). This includes providing a history of previous studies in the corridor.
Appendix B – Constraints Report
Constraints Report
This report supplies detailed information regarding the study area's environmental constraints.
Appendix C – Public and Agency Coordination Documentation
Public Involvement and Agency Coordination Plan
This report presents the tools and strategies that were implemented during the agency, stakeholder, and public/elected official coordination conducted as part of the PEL Study.
Public Meeting #1 Summary
Public Meeting #1 Summary – Appendices
Public Meeting #1 was a set of two open-house public meetings held in August 2014 that presented identical content. This summary details the first set of public meetings and summarizes the input received.
Public Meeting #2 Summary
Public Meeting #2 Summary – Appendices
Public Meeting #2 was an open-house meeting held on Thursday, November 6, 2014. This summary details the public meeting and summarizes the input received.
Public Meeting #3 Summary
Public Meeting #3 Summary – Appendices
Public Meeting #3 was an open-house meeting held on Thursday, January 29, 2015. This summary details the public meeting and summarizes the input received.
Public Meeting #4 Summary and Analysis Report
Public Meeting #4 Summary and Analysis Report – Appendices
Public Meeting #4 was an open-house meeting held on Thursday, April 16, 2015. This summary details the public meeting and summarizes the input received.
Technical Work Group Meeting #1 Comment Documentation
This document addresses the comments received after the Technical Work Group meeting on June 26, 2014.
Technical Work Group Meeting #2 Comment Documentation
This document addresses the comments received after the Technical Work Group meeting on September 25, 2014.
Technical Work Group Meeting #3 Comment Documentation
This document addresses the comments received after the Technical Work Group meeting on January 13, 2015.
Technical Work Group Meeting #4 Comment Documentation
This document addresses the comments received after the Technical Work Group meeting on March 31, 2015.
Additional Outreach Documentation
This document lists additional public and agency outreach conducted during the PEL Study.
Visioning Workshop Documentation
This report documents the materials and discussions held at the Visioning Workshop on November 19, 2014, which provided insight into preserving and enhancing aesthetic, historic, and community resources as part of the I-30 project.
Appendix D – Alternatives Development and Evaluation
Alternatives Screening Methodology
This document provides a decision-making framework to determine how well each of the developed alternatives meets the I-30 PEL Purpose and Need and the Study Goals.
Universe of Alternatives
This report documents the initial set of possible solutions to the transportation issues identified in the I-30 PEL Purpose and Need Technical Report.
Level 1 Screening Methodology and Results Memorandum
Level 1 is a qualitative screening of the Universe of Alternatives based on the Purpose and Need. Those alternatives that passed Level 1 screening were advanced to Level 2 as Preliminary Alternatives.
Level 2 Screening Methodology and Results Memorandum
Level 2 is primarily a qualitative screening (with some quantitative analysis) of the Preliminary Alternatives based on the study goals, which produced the Reasonable Alternatives.
Level 3 Screening Methodology and Results Memorandum
Level 3 is primarily a quantitative screening of the Reasonable Alternatives based on the study goals. Level 3 screening resulted in recommended solution(s) which will be advanced for further development/study during the subsequent National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study.
Appendix E – Environmental Impacts Report
Environmental Impacts Report
This report summarizes the potential impacts associated with the PEL Recommendation(s).
Appendix F – Traffic and Safety Report
Traffic and Safety Report
Traffic and Safety Report – Appendices
This report provides detailed information on the traffic and safety analyses conducted for existing and future scenarios that provide support for the project's Purpose and Need.
Appendix G – Cultural Resources Survey Methodology Memorandum
Cultural Resources Survey Methodology Memorandum
This report outlines the cultural resources survey methodology used for the I-30 PEL Study and to be used in future cultural resource investigations.
Appendix H – PEL to NEPA Transition Report
PEL to NEPA Transition Report
This report provides information on moving the PEL Recommendation(s) through the NEPA phase of project development.
Appendix I – PEL Questionnaire
PEL Questionnaire
This questionnaire outlines whether an effective PEL process has been followed and if the I-30 PEL Study can be used as a resource for future NEPA documentation during the project-specific development process.
