I-70 Improvement Study – Staying Ahead of the Curve
First Tier Environmental Impact Statement
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Q: What is the difference between the Jackson County I-70 Major Investment Study (MIS) and this First Tier Environmental Impact Study (FTEIS)?
A: MoDOT kicked off the Major Investment Study of I-70 in Jackson County in 2000. The objective of the I-70 MIS was to identify a multi-modal investment strategy to address transportation needs in a manner consistent with regional policy goals. The I-70 MIS analyzed the transportation problems and looked at all possible options for addressing them – including multiple roadway, transit and pedestrian options. That study, which involved extensive public input, identified a package of recommendations that are now moving into the more detailed environmental analysis phase of study, which is called a First Tier Environmental Impact Statement, or FTEIS.
A major difference between the MIS and FTEIS is that this more detailed FTEIS begins to narrow potential solutions by identifying and evaluating the social, economic, and environmental effects of complex transportation proposals such as improving I-70 through Jackson County. As fatal flaws are identified, proposed solutions are eliminated so that more viable alternatives can move forward. The FTEIS will focus on issues such as mode (car, bus, rail and/or pedestrian) choice, general location and area-wide environmental and land use implications of the alternative transportation improvements. The FTEIS will build on the efforts of the I-70 MIS as well as other transportation planning studies that have been or are being completed in the project area.
