Madison Beltline Study - Study process

​A three part study process is being used and will focus on improving safety and mobility for all modes of ​​travel while reducing congestion and limiting impacts to a responsible level of social, cultural, and environmental effects:

Study relationships

  • The results of the O-D Study have improved the understanding of travel patterns that are needed to achieve the PEL Study goals of accurately defining future needs and determining the best solution.
  • The results and recommendations of the PEL Study will become the foundation of the NEPA Study.
  • The NEPA Study or Studies will follow the successful completion of the PEL Study. The anticipated result of the NEPA analysis are completed environmental documents describing​ which solution(s) is/are recommended and why.

PEL Study

  • Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) initiative that focuses on shortening project delivery time by improving the efficiency of the process.
  • A PEL Study is any type of transportation planning that links planning where study information and results are linked directly, or by reference, into a NEPA Study. A NEPA Study is a federally mandated analysis of environmental effects associated with a transportation project.
  • A PEL study improves efficiency by reducing duplication of effort, extensive stakeholder involvement, collaborative decision making and maximizing the use of information developed in planning in the NEPA process that will follow the successful completion of the PEL Study.

WisDOT environmental information

WisDOT projects and construction sometimes change the natural environment around a project area. To minimize the effects of road construction and development WisDOT works to reduce change to the natural environment and leads several efforts to restore project areas. View more information about WisDOT environmental processes.​