U.S. 412 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study

JP 36405(04)

Open House

Contact:

If you have any questions regarding this project, please email Jason Russell at jason.russell@odot.ok.gov or call 405-595-1739 and leave a detailed message.

Description

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) are in the process of completing a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study of U.S. 412. The study is being performed in coordination with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  The PEL Study limits extend approximately 190 miles from I-35 in Noble County, Oklahoma to I-49 in Benton County, Arkansas. The overarching goal is to develop a master plan to support the transition from a U.S. Highway to an interstate, in accordance with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and to address the congressionally mandated legislation to convert Highway 412 into an interstate facility.

ODOT and ARDOT anticipate incorporating recommendations made as part of the PEL Study into future National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) studies, per Title 23 of the U.S. Code, Part 168.

Please click on the links below to view story maps

• Open Houses 1 & 2
• Public Meeting #1
  
• Public Meeting #2

As the PEL study nears the final stages, ODOT will host two final in-person open house opportunties at two separate locations. The first open house will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Rudisill Regional Library located at 1520 N. Hartford Ave. Tulsa, OK 74106. The second open house will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the MidAmerica Industrial Park (The Bunker) at 3822 W. 530 Road, Pryor OK 74361.

We invite you to arrive anytime during the scheduled hours of either meeting to view exhibits, speak with members of the project team, and offer comments. No formal presentation will be given.

In conjuction with the in-person open hosues, a virtual story map including all meeting materials will be available on the ODOT website for an extended review and comment period. The online meeting will launch June 4 and will be available until June 28. Comments can be left for the project team using an online comment form. All comments will be accepted until June 28.

Click HERE to receive project updates. 

Downloads

• Factsheet (English)
• Factsheet (Spanish)
• Board Displays
• Roll Plots (5)

1. Proposed Complementary Alternatives
2. Cimarron / Keystone
3. Inola
4. Cherokee Turnpike
5. Arkansas                    

October 2023 Public Meetings

• Purpose and Need
  
• Baseline Conditions – Environmental Constraints
• Baseline Conditions – Traffic, Safety and Engineering

Comments

COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED THROUGH JUNE 4 - JUNE 28, 2024

To submit online:  CLICK HERE

To download comment form: CLICK HERE

NOTE: To submit this Comment Form by email please download the form. Use your Adobe Reader to fill in your information and leave your comment, then select the Submit by Email button. You can also fill in the downloaded form and send it as an email attachment if you are on a public computer, or email your comments to environment@odot.org. If you do not currently have an Adobe Reader, you can download a free copy at https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Email: environment@odot.org

Address:
ODOT Environmental Programs Division
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
200 N.E. 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3204

FAQs

What is the study?

The PEL study limits are from I-35 in Noble County, Oklahoma to I-49 in Benton County, Arkansas, a distance of 190 miles. The overarching goal is to develop a master plan to support the transition from a U.S. Highway to an interstate, in accordance with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

What is a PEL?

Planning and Environmental Linkages, or PEL, is a process that allows information, analysis and decisions made during the planning phase, prior to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) activities, to be used or relied upon during environmental review. A PEL process is “NEPA-like” and can be used to support decisions, such as transportation funding options, defining purpose and need, screening alternatives, and developing programmatic agreements (PAs). The PEL process is part of FHWA’s Every Day Counts (EDC) initiatives (established 2011-2012), intended to identify, develop, and deploy innovative techniques aimed at accelerating project delivery.

How long do I have to submit my comments?

The public will be allowed to submit comments at any point during the study. However, there are specific times where comments based on a milestone, such as a public meeting, will be accepted. The comment period for June 2024 meetings closes June 28, 2024.