Baltimore-Washington Parkway Widening Feasibility Study

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Baltimore-Washington Parkway Widening Feasibility StudyExecutive Summary“the park’s scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife and the processes and conditionsthat sustain them, including to the extent present in the park: the ecological, biological, andphysical processes that created the park and continue to act upon it; scenic features; naturalvisibility, natural landscapes; natural soundscapes and smells; water and air resources; soils;geological resources; archaeological resources; cultural landscapes; historic and prehistoric sites,structures, and objects; and native plants and animals;”“the park’s role in contributing to the national dignity, the high public value and integrity, andthe superlative environmental quality of the national park system, and the benefit andinspiration provided to the American people by the national park system.”Any impact would not necessarily be considered impairment. As such, an official determination must bemade. The 2006 policies state that the determination of impairment must be made by the responsibleNPS park manager. The NPS is required to complete this non-impairment determination for any actionselected prior to the signing of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or Record of Decision (ROD)associated with the appropriate environmental document.Thus, for the feasibility of widening of the B-W Parkway, a determination of impairment cannot be madeat this time. However, if this feasibility study progresses and an environmental document according tothe National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is prepared, then the NPS is required to complete adetermination of non-impairment prior to the signing of a FONSI or a ROD. If, under such assessment, adetermination of impairment is made, this determination, which will be appended to the FONSI or ROD,could result in the B-W Parkway being removed from the NRHP and reverse the enabling legislation.Thus, the B-W Parkway could no longer be under the jurisdiction of the NPS. The possibility that theentire parkway could come under the management and ownership of the Maryland SHA might thenhave to be considered.ConclusionsCongress directed the FHWA, NPS and Maryland SHA to undertake a study with a very narrow studyfocus: to determine the feasibility of widening the B-W Parkway to a consistent six-lane divided facilityfrom Washington, DC, to Baltimore, Maryland.Some of the principal conclusions identified during the conduct of this study were as follows:While a widened B-W Parkway will accommodate greater traffic volumes, the magnitude ofincreased travel demand on the facility generated by continuing anticipated regional populationand employment growth will likely result in levels of traffic congestion similar to thoseexperienced today.14 November 2012
Baltimore-Washington Parkway Widening Feasibility StudyExecutive SummaryThe estimated capital costs of adding a third northbound lane and a third southbound lane tothe B-W Parkway range from approximately $343 million for the least expensive inside wideningoption to approximately $565 million for the most expensive outside widening option.No general public consensus was identified on either the need or the desirability of undertakingany potential widening option, with views regularly being expressed to both retain the existingfacility as a true Parkway and to advance the widening concept.The potential magnitude of physical change associated with the widening of the B-W Parkwaymainline would require that a determination of potential impairment of the facility be made bythe NPS. This assessment would have to be undertaken in association with any future NEPAevaluation.Moreover, several other issues were identified that will merit closer attention if funding is identified forthe more comprehensive studies that would be required prior to the initiation of any formal design oractual construction activities. These issues include, but are not limited to, the following:Consideration of the traffic needs of the B-W Parkway within the context of the existing andfuture network of transportation facilities and services in the entire Baltimore to Washington,DC, travel corridor. How the Parkway interacts with traffic from these other facilities isimportant to fully understand the best way to accommodate these expected future demands.Consideration of a wider array of options for addressing traffic and transportation needs on theB-W Parkway itself and within the larger study corridor, including examining additional wideningoptions for the Parkway and other highway facilities, traffic management options, and optionsfor the use of multiple travel modes such as high occupancy vehicle lanes, bus-only lanes or busrapid transit, fixed guideway transit facilities, and managed lanes.Examination in much greater detail of the effects of all options on the natural, socioeconomic,cultural, and built environments. A proactive public and agency process will ensure properidentification of critical resources as well as strategies for minimizing, avoiding, and mitigatingpotential impacts.Incorporation of designs that will address the need for reconstruction or replacement of themany bridges and interchanges along the corridor in a context-sensitive manner, respectful ofthe B-W Parkway’s documented history and established character.A careful examination of the implications of impairment on the status of the B-W Parkway asone of the region’s premier NPS resources.This initial feasibility study makes no definitive recommendations for any further examination of thepotential widening of the B-W Parkway. Rather, it identifies the major factors that would need to beexamined in substantially more detail if the decision were made to pursue any such changes to theexisting facility at some future date.15 November 2012
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Baltimore-Washington Parkway Widening Feasibility Study

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