COLUMBIA - A public hearing for persons to review and comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that describes how the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), City of Columbia and Boone County could improve transportation in the rapidly growing area in East Columbia will be held April 30, 2009. An open-house public hearing is part of the review period that opens on April 3 and closes May 18, 2009.

The open-house public hearing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Elk's Lodge, 4747 E. Elk Park Dr. at Highway WW. This meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. An online public hearing will be hosted at www.eastcolumbiaeis.com.

The Draft EIS is a detailed document that evaluates if and how proposed roadway improvements in the area between Interstate 70 south to New Haven Road, and U.S. Highway 63 east to State Highway Z, could impact the natural and man-made environment. The Draft EIS also identifies formal project goals and sets the stage to seek funding for design and construction of the recommended improvements.

No formal presentations will be made during the open-house hearing. The hearing will display maps and other pertinent information and gather public comments. It will be held in an open-house format, allowing interested persons to come and go at any time. Comment forms and the ability to submit verbal comments for the official study record will be available at the hearing. Public hearing materials and the ability to comment will also be available online April 30 through May 18, 2009 at www.eastcolumbiaeis.com. Written comments also will be accepted at East Columbia EIS, 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd., Suite 2300, St. Louis, MO 63117.

The Draft EIS will be available April 3 at the following public viewing locations:

• City of Columbia, City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, Columbia
  
• MoDOT District 5 Office, 1511 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
  
• Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization, City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, Columbia
  
• Columbia Chamber of Commerce, 300 S. Providence Road, Columbia
  
• Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut, Room 210, Columbia
  
• Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway, Columbia
  
• Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission, 206 E. Broadway, Ashland, Missouri 65010

An electronic version of the document will be available April 3 on the study Web site, www.eastcolumbiaeis.com. Visitors to the Web site will be able to view all or specific parts of the document and make instant comments.

Following public review, revisions will be made to the Draft EIS and a final version will be submitted to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for approval followed by a 30-day comment period. Interested citizens are encouraged to ask questions and make their comments known. All comments received will be evaluated by FHWA, MoDOT staff and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The Commission will approve the selected alternative once FHWA has approved the conclusion of the study process with a Record of Decision per the National Environmental Policy Act. Once this occurs, MoDOT, the City of Columbia and Boone County will be positioned to move forward with the project should funding become available.

To request translation services, other special accommodation and project information, please call 1-888-Ask-MoDOT (1-888-275-6636), TTY 1-800-735-2966 for the hearing impaired or e-mail EastColumbiaEIS@ch2m.com.