2. Develop Evaluation Criteria

• Criteria are developed based on the environmental issues within the corridor and the purpose and need statement. These criteria are used for comparing alternatives.

3. Develop List of Alternatives

• A list of all potential transportation improvement alternatives is developed. All alternatives developed through the scoping process are included in this step. The alternatives are categorized by mode (transit, highway, intelligent transportation systems, etc).

4. Eliminate Unrealistic Alternatives

• Alternatives that are unrealistic based on the criteria developed are eliminated from further consideration. Unrealistic alternatives have no real chance of being implemented because of physical constraints, funding, technology limitations, or impacts on private property.

5. Compare Alternatives within Modes

• The remaining alternatives for each corridor will be compared within each mode, advancing those that best meet the criteria and purpose. Criteria may include conceptual cost effectiveness, environmental impacts, transportation capacity, etc.

6.  Develop Packages by Corridor

• The alternatives that are advanced from the mode comparison screening are combined to form improvement packages for both the I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor. The packages within each mode are evaluated against each other.

7.  Define Long-Term Vision

• Based on the purpose and need of the project and the evaluation criteria, the most effective solution identified to the transportation problem becomes the Long-Term Vision. This includes an I-25 Plan and a US 85 Plan.

8.  Develop Draft EIS

• The Long-Term Vision is refined based on the results of the detailed environmental analyses. The refinement may include horizontal and vertical alignment, transportation management measures, location of stations or park-n-rides, or mitigation measures. The Draft EIS with the Long-Term Vision is released for review and comment.

9.  Public Review and Public Hearing on Draft EIS

• The public has 45 days to review and comment on the Draft EIS. During this 45-day period, a public hearing is held to present the information in the document and allow for formal comments.

10.  Address Public Comments/Prepare Final EIS

• All comments received during the comment period are addressed in the Final EIS. Based on the comments, the Long-Term Vision may be further refined. The Final EIS is released for review and comment.

11.  Public Review and Public Hearing on Final EIS

• The public has 30 days to review and comment on the Final EIS. During this 30-day period, a public hearing is held to present the information in the document and allow for formal comments.

12.  Address Public Comments/ Prepare Record of Decision

• All comments received during the comment period are addressed in the Record of Decision. The Record of Decision is the final decision-making document that determines and provides the environmental clearances for the Long-Term Vision.