Representative Projects
The staff with DPA has provided professional services for a wide range of transportation projects in both rural and urban areas. A few examples of infrastructure projects led by DPA are as follows:
DPA assisted the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) in the implementation of a new commuter rail line from the Albuquerque metropolitan area to Santa Fe. The major work activities provided by DPA included the preparation and management of the following major work elements:
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The alternatives analysis to identify and select the route alignment for rail service into Santa Fe
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The NEPA document for the overall project and documents for two rail stations implemented after the rail line was in service
A 23 CFR Section 810 Report to obtain FHWA approval to utilize interstate right-of-way for the new rail line
The public outreach and involvement program
As a partner with Parsons Brinckerhoff—a leading national transportation engineering firm—and the NMDOT, DPA is preparing an environmental impact statement for the reconstruction of the I-25/Paseo del Norte Interchange and adjoining segments of I-25 and the Paseo del Norte freeway. The recommended alternatives for this project all involve conversion of the existing diamond interchange to a full system interchange. In addition to the environmental documentation, DPA is providing guidance to the project team in public outreach and participation activities. The project is currently estimated at a construction cost of $300 million. The draft EIS is on schedule for a public hearing in mid-2009 with the final EIS expected to be completed in late 2009.
DPA worked with the City of Aztec, NMDOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Wilson & Company to develop preliminary design plans and an environmental assessment for a proposed new arterial roadway that will provide a bypass southeast of the City of Aztec. The proposed bypass is intended to provide commercial trucks and through traffic an alternative route to Main Street. Main Street passes through the central business and historic district of Aztec. Heavy use of Main Street by large trucks has been in conflict with the goals of the City to develop the historic district as a tourist and commercial attraction.
Some of the major work activities provided by DPA included the preparation and management of the project scoping process, environmental and cultural resource investigations and analyses, Section 106 tribal consultation, the preparation of an environmental assessment, public involvement and stakeholder coordination, and coordination with the Bureau of Land Management to obtain approvals of lease agreements for right-of-way across federal lands. FHWA issued a FONSI for this project in early 2009.
DPA is working with Sandoval County, NMDOT, and FHWA on a tiered environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed new highway that will connect I-40 with US 550 in the northwest quadrant of the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho metropolitan areas. The proposed 39-mile route passes through two counties and is adjacent to several tribal lands. DPA assisted the sponsoring agencies in the development of a phased approach to the NEPA process that would enable the corridor to be preserved and would phase implementation over a multi-year process. As the initial phase, DPA is preparing a first tier environmental impact statement to authorize preservation of right-of-way for the overall route and to identify a NEPA sequencing plan for the evaluation and implementation of second tier projects. DPA is working with several civil engineering firms and is responsible for preparing the NEPA documents and leading agency coordination and consultation, Section 106 consultation, tribal consultation, and public involvement and outreach. The draft EIS is on schedule for release by late summer 2009.