As the EIS process moves along, it is important to paint a picture of where we have been in the process and where we are going. Below is an updated US 281 EIS Process Diagram to help illustrate this process.  Please note that some milestone dates on this process diagram have changed since the April 2010 public meeting.

US 281 EIS Process Diagram

So far, the "Need and Purpose" phase is complete and the "Alternatives" phase is close to completion. The need and purpose statement explains why the improvements to US 281 are necessary, and serves as the basis for identifying the reasonable alternatives that meet the need and purpose. Based on comments expressed by community members, Community Advisory Committee  

members and participating and cooperating agengies, a set of distinct, but interrelated purposes were determined for improvements within the US 281 corridor.

Any improvements in the US 281 corridor should:

Public meeting attendees share their opinion

A list of preliminary alternatives for transportation improvements was then created and screened based on a set of objectives. These objectives helped eliminate those alternatives that failed to accomplish the project purpose as stated above. The November 2009 public scoping meeting focused on a range of Preliminary Alternatives and a method for screening and evaluation. The April 2010 public meeting focused on three Reasonable Alternatives resulting from the screening process. Based on comments received at the April meeting and comments expressed by government agencies and the Community Advisory Committee, three build alternatives, plus the "no-build" alternative have been advanced to the Draft EIS for further analysis and development. The "build" alternatives include analysis for non-toll and toll lane options.

The alternatives include:
No-Build: 

--Loop 1604/US 281 southern direct connectors

--Routine maintenance

--All other improvements/strategies in Long Range Transportation Plan except
--US 281 north of Loop 1604

Build Alternative 1*: Overpass/Expansion  (Non-Toll)

Build Alternative 2: Expressway (Non-Toll, Toll and Managed)

Build Alternative 3: Elevated Expressway  (Non-Toll, Toll and Managed)

*Please note that Build Alternative 1, along with the other build alternatives, is still being analyzed and refined  

The next major step in the US 281 EIS process comes in the form of a draft document, the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS is reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This document will evaluate the alternatives noted above to determine potential social, economic and environmental impacts and mitigation measures. The Draft EIS is tentatively scheduled to be completed by fall of this year. A Notice of Availability will be published in the Federal Register and Texas Register informing you and other members of the public that the draft is available for comment. The Environmental Protection Agency maintains a database of EIS notices of availability; this database is available by clicking here. Additional public notices will be placed in the San Antonio Express-News and La Prensa.

US 281 EIS Public Meeting banner

The Draft EIS will be available for public review for 45 days prior to a public hearing to gather comments and feedback. Comments may be submitted via the 411on281 web site at www.411on281/US281EIS, emailing US281EIS@AlamoRMA.org, faxing (210) 495-5403 or by mailing comments to the Alamo RMA. After the public hearing, public and agency comments will be considered in the identification of a preferred alternative and the preparation of a Final EIS. The FinalEIS is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2012. A public meeting will be held to present the preferred alternative and collect additional comments. Following the public meeting, the Final EIS will be completed and made available for public review and comment for 45 days.  

After receiving public and agency comments on the Final EIS and providing responses, FHWA would issue a Record of Decision (ROD). A ROD is the federal environmental decision document that explains the reasons for the project decision and summarizes any mitigation measures that will be incorporated in the project.

US 281 EIS team member assisting a public meeting attendee

You may be wondering why the EIS process schedule is taking a little longer than anticipated. This is because the full range of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of each of the three build alternatives and the no build alternative is being analyzed. The Alamo RMA wants to ensure that all social, economic and environmental impacts and mitigation measures are being thoroughly considered. The US 281 EIS team is moving as quickly as possible, while still ensuring that comments from the public, government agencies and Community Advisory Committee are heard and considered.  

If you have further questions about the US 281 EIS, please click here to visit the web site or click here to email the US 281 EIS team.