Alternative Energy Draft EA - NASA Visitor Center at Wallops Flight ...

4.4.4 Transportation
No Action Alternative
Environmental Consequences
Under the No Action Alternative, implementation of the Alternative Energy Project would not
occur; therefore, no impacts on transportation would occur.
Proposed Action
Temporary impacts on traffic flow would occur during construction activities due to an increase
in the volume of construction-related traffic at roads in the immediate vicinity of Wallops Island
and the transportation of wind turbine parts and equipment. Traffic lanes may be temporarily
closed or rerouted during construction, and construction equipment and staging could interfere
with typical vehicle flow. NASA would coordinate all transportation activities, including closures,
traffic control, safety issues, etc. with Accomack County and the Virginia Department of
Transportation Accomack Residency Office. To mitigate potential delays, NASA would:
• Provide adequate advance notification of upcoming activities for all areas that would be
affected by construction-related traffic, temporary closures, or re-routing
• Coordinate any traffic lane or pedestrian corridor closures with all appropriate officials
• Place construction equipment and vehicle staging so as to not hinder traffic and
pedestrian flow
• Minimize the use of construction vehicles in residential areas
The utility-scale wind turbine’s tower and blades would be delivered to WFF via truck over
public roads and would be characterized as an oversize load by the Department of Transportation
(DOT). The transport of an oversize load would require a permit from the Virginia Department
of Motor Vehicles. Oversize items that are trucked to Wallops Island (i.e., via Route 679 and
803) may require temporary closure of roadways. The closure would likely last a maximum of 2
hours and would occur in the middle of the night if possible for minimal impact on traffic.
NASA would coordinate the closure with Accomack County, the Virginia State Police, and the
Virginia DOT Accomack Residency Office.
Alternative One
The transportation impacts for Alternative One are the same as those described under the
Proposed Action. The same mitigation measures for construction-related traffic and
transportation of the wind turbine parts and equipment would apply and would also be
implemented for transportation of the solar panel parts and equipment, except the solar panels
and equipment would not be transported as an oversize load.
Alternative Two
The same mitigation measures described under the Proposed Action would be implemented at
the Main Base for construction-related traffic and transportation of the solar panel parts and
equipment, except the solar panels and equipment would not be transported as an oversize load.
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