The Agenda's foray into transportation issues continues this week with Shane Stack, director of Missoula County Public Works, and Erik Dickson, county engineer.
With the recent closure of Maclay Bridge in Target Range, residents have a lot of questions about how we got here. The commissioners, Shane and Erik tackle those questions and much more in this episode. Be sure to follow this project on Missoula County Voice for more updates and information.
This episode has a lot of acronyms and engineering terms, so here's a guide for you, in alphabetical order:
- BIP: The Bridge Improvement Program, a funding opportunity administered by the Federal Highway Administration.
- Categorical exclusion, also called a CE or Cat Ex: A finding of a National Environmental Protection Act process that determines a project has no significant effect on the human environment. If a CE is granted, the project does not need an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
- Creosote: A material derived from tar that is used to preserve wood.
- EA: Environmental assessment. If a categorical exclusion does not apply to a project, then an environmental assessment must be developed before the project can move forward. This is a public document that provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether the project meets the criteria for a Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact (FONSI) or if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed.
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Federal agencies prepare an Environmental Impact Statement if a project is determined to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. The regulatory requirements for an EIS are more detailed and rigorous than the requirements for an EA.
- FHWA: The Federal Highway Administration, a division of the federal Department of Transportation.
- FONSI document: Finding of No Significant Impact. A FONSI document is the decision document of an EA and is signed by the federal agency.
- HDR: An engineering firm employed by both Missoula County and MDT to assist with bridge planning.
- Load rating: The amount of weight a structure can safely carry. A load posted or load limited bridge is restricted by its load rating.
- Local option gas tax: A voter-approved 2-cent tax on gas sold within Missoula County. Revenue from this tax was specifically designated for road and bridge improvements. County residents approved this measure in 2020, but the state repealed in 2021.
- MDT: Montana Department of Transportation, the state's transportation agency
- NEPA: National Environmental Protection Act, passed in 1970 to promote and protect the environment.
Click here for the full glossary.
Text us your thoughts and comments on this episode!
Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!
