The project is considering a wide range of system alternatives consisting of improvements to select roadways, transit services, and other modal improvements to address the needs identified in the project purpose and need. The alternatives development process was structured to encourage consideration of a full range of multi modal transportation improvement strategies within the study area. Alternatives have been developed on the basis of technical analysis, environmental constraints, and stakeholder input, with the focus on developing consensus on a preferred System Build Alternative that addressees the project Purpose and Need.

MODAL STRATEGIES. This step involved working with project stakeholders to identify the appropriate range of improvement strategies and to identify locations within the study area where these improvement strategies could reasonably be applied.

INITIAL SYSTEM STRATEGIES. In this step, the project team worked with stakeholders to identify groupings of improvements to individual travel modes - roadways and transit. The Initial System Strategies were assembled by single modes and classified as either: 1) improvements to the existing transportation system, (2) existing system expansion (new facilities), or (3) combination strategies (include both improvements to the existing system as well as new facilities). The Initial Roadway System Strategies were first evaluated with the aid of a travel performance model to screen out any strategies that do not adequately address Purpose and Need. Initial Transit System Strategies are evaluated to assess their relative transit market service improvements and general viability.

FINALIST SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES. During this step, the project team evaluated and screened remaining alternatives through an iterative process. First, a representative layout was developed and following an analysis of environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the remaining Initial System Alternatives, three alternatives with relatively high impacts were dropped from further consideration. Second, the remaining Finalist Roadway System Alternatives were further refined and evaluated on the basis of their environmental/social impacts, cost, travel performance, and public input with only the best performing alternatives advancing. At the same time Transit System alternatives were developed and evaluated. Third, the remaining roadway and transit system improvements, along with complementary bike/pedestrian system improvements were combined into complete multi-modal finalist system alternatives. These alternatives are the two multi-modal Build Alternatives evaluated in the Draft EIS. Working with stakeholder input, the alternatives were refined to a greater degree of detail, allowing an evaluation of their relative transportation performance, impacts, and planning level costs.

PREFERRED SYSTEM BUILD ALTERNATIVE. Following the public hearing and agency review period for the Draft EIS, we will be identifying Preferred multi modal System Build Alternative(s). The preferred alternative(s) will be carried into Tier Two for further study.