• Completed Study

What is an Alternatives Corridor Evaluation (ACE)?

An Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) study is a planning process that is used to identify and evaluate corridors and recommend reasonable alternatives that should move forward for additional analysis as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). ACE studies are used to:

  • Establish or refine the project’s purpose and need
  • Define the affected environment
  • Propose improvements and recommendations to address the need for the Project
  • Identify any potential environmental impacts and measures to mitigate any impacts, and
  • Evaluate engineering feasibility and identify fatal flaws.

A Methodology Memorandum (MM) is developed as part of the ACE process. The MM outlines the analysis methodology used to refine and eliminate corridor alternatives. The project team meets with various federal, state, and local agencies as well as other interested parties and members of the public throughout the process to obtain comments. Following approval of the MM by FDOT’s Office of Environmental Management (OEM), an Alternative Corridor Evaluation Report (ACER) is prepared, which may recommend feasible alternative corridors to be considered for further evaluation.

Project Development Process

A project begins with the identification of transportation needs or deficiencies through a planning process that prioritizes short- and long-range transportation improvements. The project planning process typically begins when Metropolitan Planning Organizations/Transportation Planning Organizations (MPOs/TPOs), FDOT, and other authorities identify transportation needs and projects that would meet those needs. The following planning products assist in documenting transportation needs: Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Cost Feasible Plans (CFP), Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Plans, Transit Development Plans (TDPs), Local Government Comprehensive Plans (LGCP), Municipal or Citywide Transportation Master Plans, and corridor planning studies.

At the MPO level, project needs are matched and prioritized to available funding for projects in the MPO/TPO LRTPs. At the state level, FDOT develops cost‐feasible plans for the State Highway System (SHS). Priority projects are selected annually from these cost‐feasible plans and are presented to the Florida Legislature as a tentative Five-Year Work Program. Projects included in the Work Program and approved by the legislature may wait for funding for up to five years before significant work can proceed. FDOT coordinates with the various MPOs/TPOs and local stakeholders throughout the state to develop a vision for the State’s transportation system. This includes the establishment of goals, objectives and policies to sustain and support the growth of the State’s population and economy.

 

Project Development Process

ACE studies are performed within the Planning phase to define project parameters, the project definition and the purpose and need for the project. The US 301/US 98/Clinton Avenue Intersection Realignment Study is part of the Planning phase of the project development process. Ultimately, the study is used to identify, evaluate, eliminate and recommend project alternatives prior to the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) phase.

Some of the improvements that are recommended based on the findings of this study can be prioritized at the local level or through the FDOT’s Five-Year Work Program. These improvements may include: turn-lane improvements, pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, signal retiming, transit stop amenities, etc.

 

Contact Information
For more information or to comment, please contact:

Environmental Management Office
Florida Department of Transportation, District Seven
11201 N. McKinley Drive
M.S. 7-500
Tampa, FL 33612-6456

Phone: (813) 975-6000
Toll Free: (800) 226-7220

Comuniquese Con Nosotros
Si usted tiene preguntas o comentarios, o si simplemente desea más información sobre este proyecto, favor ponerse en contacto con el señor Manuel Flores, al teléfono (813) 975-4248 o al correo electrónico manuel.flores@dot.state.fl.us