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Loop Road Rehabilitation and Repair
Big Cypress National Preserve » Loop Road Rehabilitation and Repair » Document List
Big Cypress National Preserve will rehabilitate and repair damage along 16.53 miles of Loop Road, the main scenic drive through the Preserve. The project area includes approximately 5 miles of paved and 11.53 miles of gravel road. This road provides access to the Everglades Environmental Education Center and is used by thousands of visitors each year. The road is also the only access route for some Preserve inholders.
Loop Road is not currently in a maintainable condition, because the necessary repair work is too extensive to be accomplished through routine maintenance. In addition to severe pavement rutting and potholes, most of the existing culverts within the project limits are in very poor condition and will need to be replaced. Continuous drainage problems have plagued the road, and severe damage occurred in 2005 from Hurricane Wilma. Due to inadequate drainage under the existing road, water is impounded on the north side during high water, and road segments are commonly overtopped, resulting in deterioration. On the low sections of the roadway, 3-8" of standing water have been present for weeks at a time. The road shoulders have been washed out, which creates a safety hazard and undermines the road. The proposed actions for the entire 16.53 miles project will take place within the previously disturbed roadway prism.
The NPS completed an environmental assessment (EA) that provides an analysis of the environmental consequences of the alternatives considered for the rehabilitation and repair of damage to the Loop Road. The EA was made available for public review and comment during a 30-day period ending October 22, 2010.
A finding of no significant impact (FONSI) was produced by the NPS that addresses substantive comments received regarding the EA during the public comment period and documents the decision to implement the project. The NPS selected Alternative B for implementation, which includes improvements to the 5-mile segment of paved roadway, to include asphalt pavement rehabilitation, safety improvements, replacing old culverts, and installing new culverts to improve water flow beneath the roadbed. The selected alternative also includes improvements to the 11.53-mile segment of the unpaved roadway, to include installing new culverts and replacing damaged culverts, increasing the gravel roadbed depth, and repairing washed out section of the road.
The FONSI was signed by the NPS's Southeast Regional Director on December 22, 2010.
damon_doumlele@nps.gov
Loop Road is not currently in a maintainable condition, because the necessary repair work is too extensive to be accomplished through routine maintenance. In addition to severe pavement rutting and potholes, most of the existing culverts within the project limits are in very poor condition and will need to be replaced. Continuous drainage problems have plagued the road, and severe damage occurred in 2005 from Hurricane Wilma. Due to inadequate drainage under the existing road, water is impounded on the north side during high water, and road segments are commonly overtopped, resulting in deterioration. On the low sections of the roadway, 3-8" of standing water have been present for weeks at a time. The road shoulders have been washed out, which creates a safety hazard and undermines the road. The proposed actions for the entire 16.53 miles project will take place within the previously disturbed roadway prism.
The NPS completed an environmental assessment (EA) that provides an analysis of the environmental consequences of the alternatives considered for the rehabilitation and repair of damage to the Loop Road. The EA was made available for public review and comment during a 30-day period ending October 22, 2010.
A finding of no significant impact (FONSI) was produced by the NPS that addresses substantive comments received regarding the EA during the public comment period and documents the decision to implement the project. The NPS selected Alternative B for implementation, which includes improvements to the 5-mile segment of paved roadway, to include asphalt pavement rehabilitation, safety improvements, replacing old culverts, and installing new culverts to improve water flow beneath the roadbed. The selected alternative also includes improvements to the 11.53-mile segment of the unpaved roadway, to include installing new culverts and replacing damaged culverts, increasing the gravel roadbed depth, and repairing washed out section of the road.
The FONSI was signed by the NPS's Southeast Regional Director on December 22, 2010.
Contact Information
Damon Doumlele, 239-695-1158damon_doumlele@nps.gov