An Environmental Assessment (EA) was initiated in January 2010 to analyze the need for transportation improvements to I-15 between mileposts 0 and 16, a distance of approximately 16 miles. The project area is located within Washington County, Utah and runs through the City of St. George and Washington City.
The I-15 Corridor Study in Washington County (November 2008), prepared by UDOT, Dixie Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMPO), and local municipalities, identified transportation needs along the I-15 corridor in Washington County between mileposts 0 and 42. The I-15 Corridor Study in Washington County (November 2008), concluded that I-15 would need capacity improvements between mileposts 0 and 16. These improvements included the addition of general purpose lanes and improving ramp capacity.
As a result of this corridor study, UDOT initiated the current project, which is now in the environmental phase of analysis.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to consider environmental issues before making any major decisions on projects that have federal involvement. An EA helps FHWA and UDOT determine whether a project would have significant impacts on the environment. If there are no significant impacts, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is issued and the project can move forward to design and construction. If the project would have significant impacts, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be prepared. An EA details the purpose and need; discusses alternatives (including a 'no-action alternative'); and presents any social, economic and environmental impacts for a given project.
The environmental resources associated with this project may include the following:
The project team will study these items in detail to determine where potential conflicts might exist in conjunction with prospective improvements to this segment of I-15.