BILL #    HB 2712	TITLE: highway alignments; environmental impact statement
SPONSOR:    Hoffman	STATUS: House Engrossed
PREPARED BY:    Jordan Johnston

Description

The bill would require the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), if issuing a final Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and record of decision for a new state highway in Pinal County, to include at least one alternative in the Tier 2 study that services the most populous areas with the greatest potential for economic development and represents stakeholder feedback.

Estimated Impact

ADOT estimates the bill will increase the cost of issuing a Tier 2 environmental study of the North-South Corridor by at least $3 million.  We lack sufficient information to develop our own estimate.

Analysis

Prior to construction on new state highway projects, ADOT is required to conduct various environmental and design impact studies.  The first such significant study is known as a Tier 1 study.  In 2010, the department began the process of a Tier 1 EIS to select a preferred alternative route for a 55-mile long corridor between US 60 on the north and Interstate 10 on the south, with a connection to State Route 24.  This project has been named the North-South Corridor, which would run through Pinal County.

The bill would require ADOT, upon completion of the North-South Corridor Tier 1 EIS, to include at least one alternative in the ensuing Tier 2 study that both services the most populous areas with the greatest potential for economic development and represents stakeholder feedback.  The bill would further require ADOT to reissue the Tier 1 EIS if after December 30, 2020 and before the effective date of this bill, the final Tier 1 EIS does not comply with the previously outlined requirements.

The cost of a Tier 1 EIS or a Tier 2 study, including the addition of an alternative add-on, is significantly related to the specifications of a given project.  ADOT assumed the bill would not require them to reissue the Tier 1 EIS, which they anticipate completing in summer 2021.  ADOT currently estimates the Tier 2 study on the North-South Corridor will cost approximately $24 million to conduct.  With the inclusion of the alternative route in the Tier 2 study as required under the bill, the department stated the cost would increase by $3 million to a new total cost of $27 million.  The department has never completed a Tier 2 study before and expressed the costs are preliminary and subject to change. 

Local Government Impact

None

3/30/21