1. What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
2. Why is the project needed?
3. Does the public have a say in this?
4. How many homes and business will be impacted by the construction of a new plaza?
5. How do I know if my property will be affected?
6. How are businesses being impacted?
7. What is the process for acquiring and relocating these homes and businesses?
8. How is MDOT planning to help the city contend with this project?
9. What are the alternatives for the plaza?
10. What are the alternatives for the I-94/I-69 Corridor??
11. How can I get involved?

1. What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?

Answer: An EIS is a document that provides the public and federal, state and local government agencies with detailed information about a proposed federal action. An EIS includes detailed discussion of environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives that would avoid or minimize these impacts or enhance quality of life.

Completion of an EIS study includes:

• release of draft EIS (DEIS)
• a public hearing
• release of a final EIS (FEIS)
• a review period
• a signed Record of Decision (ROD) that completes the study.

2. Why is this project needed?

Answer: This project will provide needed improvements in three major areas:

1. accommodating traffic growth,
2. improving security and safety,
3. providing facilities that can accommodate future changes in procedures and technology.

The proposed project will include a 2030 plan of improvements which can be built in phases as traffic grows and technology and procedures change. These Improvements would also accomplish the following:

• Support international trade between the U.S. and Canada
• Minimize backups on Highway 402 and I 94/I-69
• Accommodate inspection technologies and procedures
• Ensure cars and trucks do not leave the plaza without being inspected
• Improve safety on the bridge, plaza, and I 94/I-69 corridor, including the aging Black River Bridge.
• Reduce vehicle and pedestrian conflicts on the plaza
• Improve access between the plaza and the Port Huron area
• Minimize routing of commercial traffic to local roads during maintenance operations
• Improve traffic conflicts and weaving movements east and west of the Water Street Interchange
• Accommodate projected 2030 traffic growth
• Create a more visible and accessible Welcome Center

3. Does the public have a say in this?

Answer: Yes! MDOT has held seven public meetings or workshops and several more are planned, including a public hearing to gain citizen input.

Information on public meetings and workshops can be found on the project Web site at www.michigan.gov/bluewaterbridgeproject.

The public is encouraged to call the project hotline number, 1-800-955-3515, with concerns and questions. On the first and third Friday of each month, MDOT is holding office hoursat the Port Huron Transportation Service Center (2127 11th Avenue, Port Huron, MI 4806) to answer questions and listen to residents. To make an appointment, call 1-800-955-3515. Walk-ins are also welcome.

You can also submit a commentonline, or E-mail the project managerswith your concerns.

4. How many homes and businesses will be impacted for the construction of a new plaza?

Answer: The number of home and business relocations depends upon the chosen alternative.

5. How do I know if my property will be affected?

Answer: Call the toll-free number: 1-800-955-3515, call or write the MDOT real estate contacts,or set up an appointment for the MDOT office hoursat the Port Huron Transportation Service Center.

Two publications are available with more information:

• Your Rights and Benefits details the relocation assistance program.
• Public Roads & Private Property describes the purchase of private property for highway improvements.

Both can be downloaded or obtained in hard copy from:

MDOT
Real Estate Support Area
P.O. Box 30050
Lansing, Michigan, 48909
(517) 373 4135.

6. How are businesses being impacted?

Answer: Businesses located within the proposed footprint for the new plaza and corridor improvements will be relocated. Where only minor right-of-way is required from a business, it may be possible for the business to remain. Some businesses will only be impacted by driveway access changes. For instance, the businesses located along Water Street will have their access drives relocated to meet new intersection standards. At this time, all business impacts are shown as possible relocations.

7. What is the process for acquiring and relocating these homes and businesses?

Answer: Acquisition and relocation of homes and businesses would occur in accordance with the following:

1. Compliance with State and Federal Laws: MDOT will provide right of way acquisition and relocation assistance and advisory services in accordance with Act 31, Michigan P.A. 1970; Act 227, Michigan P.A. 1972; the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, and Act 87, Michigan P.A. 1980, as amended. MDOT will inform individuals, businesses, and non profit organizations if the project will have any impacts on their property. Every effort will be made to reduce the impact through relocation assistance.
2. Home Relocations: MDOT is required to determine the availability of comparable, decent, safe and sanitary housing for eligible displaced individuals. Eligible displaced individuals will be advised of rights and benefits available and the course of action open to them.
3. Business and Nonprofit Organization Relocations: MDOT is required to offer relocation assistance to displaced businesses and nonprofit organizations. Eligible displaced businesses or non profit organizations will be advised of the rights and benefits available and courses of action open to them. Displaced businesses and organizations will be encouraged to relocate within the same community.
4. Purchasing Property: MDOT will pay fair and just compensation for fee purchase or easement use of property required for transportation purposes.

8. How is MDOT planning on helping the city contend with this project?

Answer: In addition to compensating property owners, MDOT is developing a community assistance plan that will bring state resources and agencies together to address economic costs and opportunities. MDOT will act as a facilitator to bring agencies together to assist with the financial, institutional and economical effects of the project.

9. What are the alternatives for the plaza?

Answer: There are four alternatives still under consideration:

a. No-Build
b. City East Alternative (Plaza expansion in city, Pine Grove relocated east)
c. City West Alternative (Plaza expansion in city, Pine Grove relocated west)
d. Township Alternative (Plaza  relocated 1.5 miles west in Port Huron Township)

See summaries and maps of alternatives.

10. What are the alternatives for the I-94/I-69 Corridor?

Answer: There are two alternatives still under consideration for the I-94/I-69 Corridor Study:

1. The No-Build Alternative would not involve any changes to the existing I-94/I-69 Corridor or the Welcome Center. This alternative would include continued maintenance of the I-94/I-69 Corridor and the existing Welcome Center over the next 30 years. The No-Build Alternative could be selected if MDOT determines that the benefits of the proposed improvements do not outweigh the negative environmental effects.
2. The Preferred Alternative includes replacing and expanding the Black River Bridge, the Water Street Interchange and the Lapeer Connector Interchange. It also includes adding lanes on I-94/I-69, separating eastbound border crossing traffic from local traffic, and a building new MDOT Welcome Center in Port Huron Township.

11. How can I get involved?

Answer:

Residents can voice concerns and comments onlineand sign upto receive updated project information via E-mail.

Public Meetings offer the public and community leaders the opportunity to voice ideas, offer feedback, leave written comments, and speak one-on-one with project team members.

Study team staff are available during office hoursat the Port Huron Transportation Service Center (2127 11th Avenue, Port Huron, MI 4806) on the first and third Fridays of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

You can call our toll free hotline, at 1-800-955-3515.