Evaluation Criteria

Rethinking I-94 Evaluation Criteria: Scoping Decision Document (SDD) and Tier 1 EIS

Evaluation criteria have been developed for the Scoping Decision Document (SDD) and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phases of Rethinking I-94. This is the first step of the alternative evaluation process. The criteria used in the SDD and Tier 1 EIS have been developed concurrently for review and general agreement. Following the Scoping phase, the Tier 1 EIS evaluation will be reassessed to refine criteria as needed.

Categories and Subcategories

There are four main categories of criteria with several subcategories under each. The four main categories include: purpose and need; social, economic, and environmental (SEE); Livability framework (goals); and additional considerations. Purpose and need categories have been identified for mainline and access alternatives based on transportation needs in the corridor. SEE impact categories have been identified based on resources in the corridor and criteria that could have a discernable variation at Scoping Decision Document (SDD) and Tier 1 stages of design and could result in findings with major impacts. Livability categories address goals and the Livability framework developed during Rethinking I-94 Phase 1. Additional consideration categories subsume factors concerning cost, maintenance, and consistency with adopted plans.

Measures

For each subcategory, at least one criteria and measure has been identified to evaluate whether the alternative addresses the purpose and need, impacts SEE resources, or is consistent with the Livability framework. Measurements include a mixture of quantitative and qualitative assessments. For measures with minimum standards, minimum performance criteria have been identified based on MnDOT or FHWA standards. Many of the standards and performance criteria have been documented in subject area technical memos.

Purpose and need, SEE impact items, and goals and Livability categories will be evaluated by either comparing the alternative to the No Build or based on the subcategory’s performance measure. For example, Person Throughput will be calculated for each alternative and documented as to whether it is higher, equal to, or lower than the No Build Alternative.

Evaluation Process

Alternatives will first be screened during the SDD Phase to determine whether they have “fatal flaws.” Alternatives with fatal flaws may not be technically or economically feasible, or they may result in SEE impacts that cannot be mitigated. For alternatives that do not have fatal flaws, the evaluation process will be first based upon the ability of an alternative to address the purpose and need criteria. Those that do not pass this screening will be eliminated as they are not “reasonable” alternatives. Alternatives that address the purpose and need will continue forward and will be further evaluated to understand the potential for and magnitude of impacts to SEE resources within the corridor. These impacts will be documented, and alternatives will then be evaluated to determine whether they address the goals and Livability Framework pillars identified in Rethinking I-94 Phase 1 along with several Additional Considerations.

Alternatives in the SDD Phase that best address the purpose and need evaluation criteria, minimize SEE impacts, and perform favorably in terms of goals & Livability and Additional Considerations will move into the Tier 1 EIS. The Tier 1 will use the identified criteria and measures to evaluate the remaining alternatives in greater detail. Because more design information will be available, additional purpose and need, SEE impact, goals/Livability, and Additional Considerations measures will be incorporated to include items that were not expected to have substantial differences between alternatives in the SDD Phase. Evaluation in the Tier 1 EIS will first be based on addressing purpose and need criteria, followed by minimizing SEE impacts, and then meeting project goals and Additional Considerations. At the end of the Tier 1 process, an alternative that establishes the corridor footprint will be selected and a program of projects will be developed.

Tier 2 documents will be required that get into greater detail as individual projects move forward. Additional criteria may be developed during this process.

Step 1: Scoping Decision Document (SDD) Phase

Step 2: Tier 1 EIS Phase

Topics Not Addressed in the Evaluation Criteria

There are several topics important to MnDOT and the public that are not included as part of the evaluation criteria. In some cases, this is because the level of detail in the design at this stage prevents full investigation of the alternative. In other instances, certain interests are addressed by existing MnDOT standard procedures, and will be implemented where feasible regardless of the selected alternative. For example, MnDOT uses various construction techniques to recycle pavement materials and reuse them during construction. In addition, MnDOT includes native plant species in its standard seed mixes and is working to increase the use of native species for roadside vegetation. Light emitting diode (LED) luminaires are the standard light source for the majority of MnDOT’s roadway lighting. Older roadway lighting is being replaced with LEDs and this transition will continue as projects are completed. Good lighting is also important for maintaining personal safety for people crossing the corridor. These detailed aspects of project design are examples of items that will be addressed as part of the implementation of specific projects in the Tier 2 process for Rethinking I-94.