Summary:

• Ms. Liz Sanford called the meeting to order with a welcome and review of ground rules.
• Ms. Sanford then introduced Mr. Joe Palladi, who briefly discussed the need and purpose of the project, traffic projections, public involvement, and the use of an advisory committee to work with the project design team. Mr. Palladi informed the community that the Department is willing to add a representative from the Shirley Hills Community to the Advisory Committee.
• Mr. Brad Hale discussed the preferred concept alternative in detail, outlining the proposed changes to the interstate within the project area. Several questions were raised during Mr. Hale's presentation, and Ms. Sanford asked the audience to hold their questions until after the presentation.
• Mr. Todd Hill briefly discussed potential environmental impacts within the project area, noting that 90% of the project area is in the floodplain and that the project area includes wetlands, historic districts, and archeological sites. Mr. Hill then discussed the preliminary noise study results. He indicated that the study compared noise impacts under current conditions to future impacts projected 25 years out, both with the scenario of the project completed and with no improvements made.
• This information raised several issues, including questions on what noise walls look like, line of sight issues, and a request for a referral to another project where neighborhoods worked together with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to get noise barriers placed to each groups satisfaction.
• Mr. Hill and Mr. Palladi responded to these comments/questions by discussing the various types of noise barriers: metal, brick, prefab concrete and landscape berms. Mr. Palladi stated that the purpose of a noise barrier is to reflect noise and that a cost benefit analysis - relating the number of people benefited by the barrier to the cost of erecting the barrier - will need to be completed to determine the feasibility of constructing noise barriers. GDOT's policy of $50,000/ impacted receptor and $25,000/ benefited receptor was also noted.
• Mr. Palladi also mentioned that the projects studied and/or reviewed by GDOT must be included in the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO's) plan. Alternatives to this project, such as an eastern by-pass around Macon, cannot be considered unless and until they are part of the MPO's long-range plan.
• Ms. Sanford asked once again for the group to hold questions until after Mr. Hill's presentation. Following the end of the presentation, the floor was opened up for questions. The questions and answers are outlined in the appendix attached to this meeting summary.
• The meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m.

Questions and Answers

• Q.1 Does the noise model discussed take in to account 25 years from now?
  Yes. The model includes traffic and noise projections for the year 2025 with both a build and a no-build conditions.

• Q.2 What's up with the train tracks moving to the other side of the river?
  In response to comments at previous public meetings, Moreland Altobelli (GDOT's consultant for the interchange project) studied several alternatives for re-location of the Norfolk Southern RR. This study concluded that re-location of the railroad from the West bank of the river to the East bank would be very expensive, aesthetically unpleasing, and have a negative impact on the floodplain. While there have been articles in the paper and it is widely known that NewTown Macon is looking for ways to create a waterfront in Macon, there is no commitment by GDOT, nor written word by the railroad companies, the Governor or any other state agency indicating a commitment to do something with the rail line. Comment by Conie Mac Darnell, Advisory Committee Member, representing NewTown Macon: Please don't make up your mind on the relocation of the railroad based on the absence of information. We'll have one chance to create a waterfront for Macon, and this is it. We will have more information on the possibility of relocating the rail within the next 60 days. Please don't make up your mind before then.

• Q.3 Will any property be taken by this project?
  Currently, there are no residential displacements anticipated by this project. There is possibly one commercial displacement - a car dealership.

• Q.3.a The interstate is already 300 feet from my house. How much closer will it be with this project?
  Approximately 70 -75 feet closer.

• Q.4 Can we look at the elevations for this project?
  Yes, but our maps won't extend into the neighborhood; they will show the elevation at the project and immediately adjacent area only. You will have to get a topographical map of the neighborhood. I can't provide maps to everyone - please have one person from your neighborhood request the map.

• Q.5 You stated you've worked with Caution Macon. As an officer of Caution Macon, we have not approved or disapproved of anything. We've only said you need to have public feedback throughout this process.
  I was not speaking for Caution Macon, but that we have included a member of Caution Macon on our Advisory Committee. That individual is responsible for relaying information between the Committee and Caution Macon.

• Q.6 Getting back to the $50,000 per impacted home and the fact that noise walls are not to be more that 30 feet high. Will that help us? Do we have enough homes to meet those criteria?
  We have made exceptions on the 30-foot wall height - and have built noise barriers as high as 38 feet. We will have to wait to see the results of the study before we can comment on whether you have enough impacted homes to meet the $50,000 criteria. The final study will be completed in about 6 weeks. We will have an advisory committee meeting and a public hearing after the study is complete. Also, we will be happy to come back out to the neighborhoods. Mr. Palladi gave his phone number, e-mail address and introduced Angela Alexander and Genetha Rice-Singleton at this point. He stated that the DOT wants public input, and uses it once it is received.

• Q.7 It appears that the plan calls for 6 bridges over the Ocmulgee River vs. the 2 current bridges. Is this the case?
  Yes. The 6 proposed bridges are necessary to accommodate I-16 and the proposed collector- distributor (CD) roads, which will parallel I-16. The proposed Westbound CD Bridge will be approximately 60 feet closer to the Shirley Hills neighborhood than the existing I-16 Bridge.

• Q.8 What are the types of noise barriers?
  There are many types. Steel barriers are the most cost effective. There are also concrete barriers that can be more decorative, and landscape berms. We are committed to looking at different alternatives in an attempt to find something aesthetically pleasing.

• Q8.a What will it take to get the type we want?
  It depends on a number of factors, including the distance from the area needing the barrier and the highway. Also, it depends on where you want to put your money. You could use a less expensive barrier and use other funds to cover with landscaping - or use a more expensive type of wall.

• Q.8.b Who decides if the neighborhood is affected?
  Ultimately it comes down to the results of the environmental study and the Federal Highway Administration.

• Q.9 Can the North Highlands Neighborhood add a representative to the Advisory Committee?
  Yes.

• Q.10 What about traffic eastbound on I-16 following events at the Centerplex?
  The Centreplex has a representative on the Advisory Committee, and we are working with them to alleviate the congestion problems following large events. Improvements include: opening 2nd Street as a full access interchange; opening CD roads to offer additional access; possibility of providing a back entrance/ exit to the Centreplex parking lot.

• Q.11 What about making 2nd Street the main exit off I-16 as opposed to Spring?
  At issue is a way to cross the River. We intend to treat the whole project as a gateway into Macon as opposed to specific exits.

• Q.12 Why are you designing at 55 MPH?
  We design for the posted speed limit. Design and enforcement speeds are not always related. The road will be designed for safety purposes in accordance with the standard speed limits for metropolitan areas throughout the United States.

• Q.13 Concerning the railroad, have you considered tunneling, like in Norfolk, VA?
  No. It is an engineering issue. It is not feasible to take a train from under the river up to ground level at the Macon's terminal station.

• Q.14 Regarding noise abatement. Have you looked at any new products?
  We are constantly looking for new materials and products, but I know of no new products for absorptive barriers. Only two known products serve as absorptive barriers - steel wool and asbestos. Steel wool rusts and disappears, and no one wants asbestos.

• Q.15 Do the noise models anticipate future growth and traffic?
  Yes.

• Q.15.a Have you run a model of 25 years with "No- Build"
  Yes. Todd pointed out the impacted area for the no-build option on the project display.

• Q.16 Where are you taking the readings? Are you below road elevation?
  We take the readings as close to the interstate as possible; some points are lower than the road, some are higher. The model, however, does have the ability to compensate for topographical and elevation variables.

• Q.16.a Can you consider the homes higher up on the hills - I hear the traffic mainly from my upstairs bedroom.
  Yes, we can take readings from the hilltops.

• Q.17 Has a quality of life study been conducted to identify community impacts?
  Quality of life is very difficult to measure. A community impact study is underway, which looks at measures such as connectivity of neighborhoods and commercial districts, community cohesion, and access.

• Q.18 Regarding the 70 decibel methodologies, are these averages, taken during the day or night? What about the quality of life relating to noise? When can we see this study?
  The readings reflect averages of peak and off peak travel. The quality of life study includes all factors - from noise and environmental impacts to safer roads & better connectivity. The study should be completed in late spring or early summer.

• Q.19 What if they decide to move the railroad? Won't that substantially change this project and become a whole different study?
  Yes.

• Q.20 Without any complicating circumstances, what will be the duration of the Project?
  This project will take 5 -7 seven years to complete. That includes our assumption of maintaining all existing lanes during construction.