US 491 South Corridor FLH-666-1(49)17 CN 2357 Navajo 9 to Sheep Springs (NM 134) MP 15 to MP 46 Public Information Meeting November 1, 2006

Benediction

Presentation Outline 1)Introductions 2)US 491 Background & History 3)Engineering Re-Evaluation 4)Environmental Assessment 5)Navajo Nation Role in the Project 6)Question and Comments Session 7)Closing

Introduction New Mexico Department of Transportation

Introductions Presenters, Study Team Members & Guests Ricardo Roybal (NMDOT) Albert M. Thomas (Bohannan-Huston) Eric Johnson (Marron & Assoc.) Gene Martinez (NNDOT) Navajo Nation Officials NMDOT representatives

Navajo Nation Involvement Office of the President Office of the Speaker Oversight Committees Chapters Tribal Departments General Public

Project Agencies NDOT - Navajo Department of Transportation NMDOT - New Mexico Department of Transportation FHWA - Federal Highway Administration BIA - Bureau of Indian Affairs

Other Agency Involvement Governors Office Legislators & Public Officials Indian Health Service School Districts

Consultant Project Team Bohannan-Huston, Inc. Marron & Associates Gannett Fleming West Wilson & Company HDR Engineering AMEC Earth and Environmental SWCA Environmental TBE Group

Purpose of Public Meeting US 491 South Corridor Present the Findings of the Engineering Re-Evaluation Describe the Environmental Investigations being conducted Solicit Public Input & Comments

US 491 Project Background New Mexico Department of Transportation

Project Background Previous Study recommended 4-lanes on US 491 NMDOT Committed to 4-Lanes 1 Program / 2 Corridor Study Limits –North Corridor Sheep Springs to Navajo Road 13 –South Corridor Navajo Road 9 to Sheep Springs (See Project Map)

Study Limits

Project Status Engineering Re-Evaluation –Existing Lanes to Remain –2 New Lanes with 46 ft median Environmental Assessment –One document completed for North Corridor –One document under development for South Corridor

Project Schedule US 491 North Corridor –Environmental Clearance complete –Right-of-Way Agreements being reviewed –Design will be complete by January 2007 –Construction programmed to begin by Early 2008 US 491 South Corridor –Environmental Clearance by December 2006 –Design will be complete by April 2007 –Right-of-Way Agreements by Summer 2007 –Construction programmed to begin Early 2009

Engineering Re-Evaluation Bohannan-Huston, Inc.

Existing Road

Enhanced 2-Lane $108 Million

4-Lane Reconstruction $240 Million

New Typical Section Concept Leave Existing Lanes Build 2 New Lanes Adjacent to Existing Separate Traffic with 46 Divided Median Majority of Earthwork within ROW Easement

2-Existing & 2-New Lanes

Typical Section Option 1

Typical Section Option 2

Right-of-Way Issues Option 1 – West Alignment –180 Acres of new ROW Easement for New Lanes –5 Acres of Easements needed for Drainage –2 Acres of Temporary Construction Permits –Less than 200 Acres Total Option 2 – East Alignment –168 Acres of new ROW Easement for New Lanes –124 Acres of additional easement for Borrow Ditch –20 Acres of additional easements for Drainage –6 Acres of Temporary Construction Permits –Over 300 Acres Total

South Corridor Right-of-Way Needs Right-of-Way Easement –Expand existing wide enough to build roadway prism Construction Maintenance Easements CME –Minor Easements for Drainage & Permanent Facilities Temporary Construction Easement/Permit TCP –Driveway/Turnout Reconstruction –Fixing/Replacing Cattlegaurds at ROW fence

Project Improvements Public Transit and School Bus Bicycle and Pedestrian Traffic Street Lighting at Intersections School Flashers where warranted Livestock Crossings Median Crossovers at ½ Mile Spacing Turn Lanes at Major Intersections

Environmental Review and Public Involvement Marron and Associates, Inc.

Environmental Assessment Process Guided by Location Study Procedures and National Environmental Policy Act Collect data Conduct public involvement Prepare environmental assessments 30-day comment period and public hearing Issue Finding of No Significant Impacts

Environmental Investigations Biological Surveys Wetland Surveys Cultural Resources Hazardous Materials

Public Involvement Comment Form for tonights input Website ( containing general project information has been establishedwww.US491.com Contacts –Ricardo Roybal NMDOT (505) –Albert Thomas (505) –Eric Johnson (505) Public Hearing anticipated Early 2007

Navajo Nation Role Navajo Department of Transportation

Navajo Nation Role Division of Natural Resources 1.Archaeology 2.Right-of-Way 3.Water 4.Aggregate Navajo Nation Department of Transportation

Questions and Comments

Project Description