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During the first step of the planning process, ODOT will identify key stakeholders interested in the outcome of the study, and establish several mechanisms to involve them in the decision-making process.

Steering Committee: This committee will provide technical expertise and administrative guidance to the project manager. The committee will include key ODOT staff with expertise in planning, traffic engineering, highway design, and environmental services, as well as representatives from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and the Federal Highway Administration.

Advisory Committee: A cross-section of community representatives will be invited to serve on a committee, which will advise ODOT throughout the study process to ensure the needs and concerns of the public are being addressed.  The Advisory Committee will help ODOT: customize a public involvement plan; define problems within the study area; identify key community issues; create goals and objectives; and develop evaluation criteria to recommend potential solutions (conceptual alternative solutions).

During Step One, the committee will be asked to review and comment on the public involvement plan and help ODOT create goals and objectives for the study.

Stakeholder Mailing/E-mail List: This mailing list will include community groups, individuals, businesses and organizations interested in the study outcome

Informational Materials: Easy-to-read Fact Sheets, Newsletters, Post Cards, etc. will be developed as needed for distribution to the public. 

Internet Website: The website will be available to the general public and will include project narrative and graphics, as well as a way for the public to interact via e-mail.

The following table shows the key tasks to be completed in Step One: 

Environmental Justice (EJ):  The study must also include management and public involvement practices that ensure the fair treatment of federally protected populations including minorities based on race, religion or national origin, and low-income, elderly and disabled residents. ODOT is committed to including these historically under-represented populations in its decision-making process and recommending strategies that avoid, minimize or mitigate any adverse impacts on these communities. 

To meet the intent of Environmental Justice requirements, ODOT will seek out the involvement of these communities by producing and distributing informational materials that target EJ populations, by holding public meetings and community briefings within EJ neighborhoods and by including community representatives on the Advisory Committee.

Step 2: To determine existing conditions in the corridor by collecting and analyzing all relevant data.

During Step 2 of the study process, ODOT will provide the public and media with a general overview of the study process, its goals and objectives, information on existing roadway conditions, discuss environmental and community issues and solicit public input.

Public Meetings:  The initial meetings will serve to introduce the project to a broad segment of the public. Subsequent public forums will be held to both update the public on progress and seek continued public input as conceptual alternative solutions are developed.

Community/Neighborhood Meetings: A series of smaller, community meetings may be held to address the specific concerns of these groups. Special emphasis will be made to reach those groups that may not normally participate in such public forums or receive information about public projects in a traditional manner.

Media Contacts: Reporters interested in transportation issues will be briefed, as will key editorial boards.

The following table shows the key tasks to be completed in Step Two: 

Step 3:  ODOT will use the data, analysis and public input to identify and evaluate possible conceptual alternatives or solutions to address problems in the corridor.

As the project proceeds and more analysis and information is gathered, possible conceptual alternative solutions will emerge, which will require evaluation and public feedback. 

During Step 3 of the process, ODOT will work with its Advisory Committee to develop evaluation criteria to compare the various alternative solutions.  These conceptual alternative solutions and the evaluation criteria for comparing them will be shared at Public Meetings and Community/Media Briefings.  A Newsletter will also be developed to share information and gather feedback.

This public input – along with engineering, environmental and fiscal analysis – will be used to evaluate conceptual alternative solutions and begin developing a recommended strategy for the corridor. 

This strategy will include documentation that demonstrates how the input from Environmental Justice and Title VI populations were considered and incorporated into the decision-making process.  It will also include any emerging information from the community regarding design aesthetic issues that should be incorporated into the continuing development of the project.

 The following table shows the key tasks to be completed in Step Three: 

Step 4: The study team will recommend the best strategy(ies) for improving the corridor.  This will include the design concept and scope, funding, timetable and project delivery strategies.

The final Advisory Committee meeting and Public Involvement activities will be held to share and gather feedback on what the team considers the best conceptual alternative solutions recommended for further analysis and development. 

Once final public comments are gathered, ODOT will make any further modifications to the study plan and seek final approval from MORPC.  MORPC approval is necessary to add any project(s) to the regional Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), which makes the project(s) eligible for federal funding.  MORPC must also complete an air quality conformity analysis to ensure the project is within the air quality standards established for the region.

The project(s) will then advance in the project development process to incorporate more detailed design (preliminary engineering) and environmental analysis (as required by the National Environmental Protection Act).  

The following table shows the key tasks to be completed or initiated in Step Four: