Preliminary studies conducted by MoDOT staff assure that engineering support for Missouri's transportation system is provided while conserving Missouri's environmental and cultural resources. Engineers and professionals in the natural sciences, social sciences and cultural resources work together to assist district offices in assessing the need for actions, the reasonable alternatives for solutions to transportation problems, and the environmental and cultural impacts caused by such alternatives. Staff conduct the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) studies for actions supported with federal monies or which require federal permits. Such studies lead to the identification of a selected alternative to address the transportation problems while minimizing the impacts on the environment. Staff continue working with design engineers and others to address environmental and cultural requirements, such as mitigation, leading to construction of the selected alternative, and into maintenance as well to fulfill environmental and cultural commitments.

Assessing Transportation Needs Studying New Highway Locations