I-29/I-480/WEST BROADWAY INTERCHANGE POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY – AUGUST 15
Date / Time / Place
August 15, 2017, 5-7 p.m. Council Bluffs Interstate Program Office, Mall of the Bluffs, 1751 Madison Avenue, Suite 750 in Council Bluffs.
All interested persons are invited to attend this hearing at the Council Bluffs Interstate Program Office in the Mall of the Bluffs, 1751 Madison Avenue, Suite 750, in Council Bluffs. The hearing will be conducted utilizing a combined open forum and formal format. Iowa DOT staff will be available to informally discuss the proposed improvements between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and following the formal presentation until 7 p.m.
A formal presentation will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. There will be a three-minute limit per speaker during the question-and-answer session. Persons wishing to make a formal presentation will need to note that at the time of registration. Oral and written statements will be accepted during the open forum and the formal sessions.
About the project
Project Description
The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing Tuesday, August 15, 2017, to discuss the proposed improvements of the I-29/I-480/West Broadway Interchange area in Council Bluffs from just north of the Union Pacific Railroad crossing to just south of the 25th Street interchange, as well as to gather feedback from the public regarding the completed environmental documentation, alternative(s), and impacts for the proposed improvements. The area also includes the I-29 and I-480 system interchange. A meeting to discuss specific right-of-way acquisition will be held later this year.
The meeting space is accessible for persons with disabilities. However, if you require special accommodations at the meeting, please notify the Iowa DOT contact listed below by August 8, 2017.
Traffic noise
We received several comments surrounding highway noise on CBIS projects and how the Iowa DOT decides when and where noise walls are constructed. First, it is important to acknowledge areas within close proximity to the I29/I480 interchange do experience significant noise today. Like most urban interstates, this can be expected due to a combination of traffic growth and residential areas being planned right up to the highway.
In the case of Segment 4 (and all other CBIS projects) the DOT provides noise abatement when:
- The proposed improvements result in noise impacts which increase noise levels more than 3 dBA from existing conditions. Anything less than or equal to 3 dBA is not noticeable to the average human.
- A noise wall is an effective solution, meaning a wall will reduce noise levels significantly (5 dBA or more for a majority of the area impacted).
- A noise wall is a cost-effective solution.
The Segment 4 noise study showed the proposed elevated roadway will either reduce or have no impact on future noise levels in 50% of the area (22/44 noise receptors). In addition, 43% showed an increase of 2 dBA or less and 7% (3 receptors) showed an increase of 3 dBA. In addition, it is expected that the new pavement will be quieter than what exists today.
A noise wall is not being considered for Segment 4 because the proposed improvements do not significantly raise future noise levels over what exists today when compared to a no-build scenario.
4(f) De Minimis Finding
The proposed project will impact two publicly owned recreational properties. Dodge Riverside Golf Course located at 421 Harrah’s Boulevard and Westwood Park, located at 1200 South 35th Street. These facilities are owned and operated by the City of Council Bluffs.
Dodge Riverside Golf Course and Westwood Park have been determined to be a Section 4(f) resource and the proposed project is expected to have a de minimis impact to both properties. De minimis impacts are defined as those that, after consideration of any measures to minimize harm (such as avoidance, minimization, mitigation, or enhancement), do not adversely affect the activities, features and attributes that qualify it for Section (f) protection. The use of property from Dodge Riverside Golf Club and Westwood Park will, for transportation purposes, include all measures to minimize harm to the affected activities, features, or attributes that qualify them for Section 4(f) protection. Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 was enacted as a means of protecting publicly owned parks, recreation areas, and wildlife/waterfowl refuges, as well as historic sites of local, state, or national significance from conversion to transportation uses.
Project display
Project contact
Scott Suhr, transportation planner
Iowa DOT District 4 Office
2210 E. Seventh Street
Atlantic, IA 50022
[email protected]
Deadline for receipt of comments is September 14, 2017; however, all correspondence received after this date will be included in the project files and reviewed as the project is developed. To submit a comment about this project, go to: http://bit.ly/Iowadot64391101.