The objective of the Lewis Avenue Planning Study is to develop a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-ready Purpose and Need along with goals and objectives based on input from stakeholders and the public. An initial range of improvement alternatives will be evaluated to identify those that best support the project’s Purpose and Need and avoid or minimize environmental impacts. Alternatives will be evaluated and presented to project stakeholders and the public for input and to help determine which alternatives are recommended for evaluation in future Phase I preliminary engineering and NEPA studies.
The study uses the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) approach to develop the overall vision for transportation improvements. It also builds support from the community and key stakeholders while providing a platform to discuss and prioritize transportation issues and project implementation.
The PEL approach is a federally recognized process for identifying transportation issues, priorities, and environmental concerns. This proactive approach allows Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) to develop a vision for the needed transportation improvements while being mindful of the potential impacts on the community and the environment. LCDOT can work with stakeholders to develop more efficient solutions by assessing the potential challenges and opportunities before they happen.
The PEL approach also creates valuable documentation to streamline the next steps in potential future project development.