Background and Importance of Landscape and Aesthetics
Corridor Planning
In an effort to improve the highway system, the Nevada Department
of Transportation adopted a Landscape
and Aesthetics Master Plan in 2002 for the entire state. This Master Plan provides a vision
for Nevada's state highway system and describes methods for the
consideration of landscape and aesthetics in highway design, as
well as methods to prepare specific and more detailed corridor
plans for the future. Based on the vision and recommendations of
the Master Plan, the first three of these detailed corridor plans
are now being prepared. As part of this planning effort, we are
encouraging citizens to suggest opportunities and ideas with a
goal of creating a highway system that fully integrates aesthetics.
Landscape and aesthetic treatments identified and prioritized in
the Corridor Plans will be funded from a variety of sources. As
a general rule, up to 3 percent of total highway construction costs
on all new construction and capacity improvements can be allocated
to landscape and aesthetic treatments. Funding for the retrofit
of landscape and aesthetic improvements to existing highways is
based on a 50 percent contribution of state funds matched with
a 50 percent share provided by the local community.
What
is Included in the Landscape & Aesthetic
Corridor Plans
“Landscape and highway aesthetics” is
the collective visual impression of a highway as interpreted by
both motorists and citizens within communities
along the state’s highways. The individual plans will
contain recommendations that include the following:
- Guidelines for the design of highway facilities including
themes, levels of treatment, cost goals, and priorities for
further development, design, and construction.
- Right-of-way design and planning guidelines.
- Recommendations for cooperative planning in association
with local governments along each corridor.
- Recommendations for continuing community involvement.
- Recommendations for long-range cost-effective solutions
to solve operation and maintenance issues.
Careful planning, design and implementation
of these highway elements will result in improved highway corridors
that enhance
Nevada’s citizens’ quality of life as well as tourism
and travel within the state.
With the contributions and input from citizens, NDOT will fulfill
the vision for an improved highway system within urban areas,
communities, and within the vast natural landscape.
The planning process follows a sequence that
includes the following milestones:
- Organize the plan development effort.
- Collect and inventory relevant data.
- Analyze data and draw conclusions about
the land and people within the corridors.
- Describe the opportunities and constraints
presented within the corridors.
- Describe options that might be considered.
- Summarize ideas and recommendations with
illustrations of proposed design themes.
- Document the corridor plans to guide
the long term.
- Include an evaluation of the corridor planning
process to assist future planning efforts.
MeetingsDuring corridor planning, meetings will be held to
solicit information and ideas from the public. These meetings
will be publicized
well in advance and interested individuals will have adequate
time to make arrangements to attend.
Technical Review Committees
Technical Review Committees (TRC) have also been formed and will
meet at regular intervals during the planning process. The
TRC includes local public agencies and organizations who will
provide additional insight and direction to NDOT and the design
team. TRC members provide another opportunity for the general
public to express their ideas and contribute to the corridor
study.
Related linksLandscape & Aesthetics Master Plan
for State Highways (NDOT overview)
Nevada Department of Transportation
A
Pattern of Palette & Place: A
Landscape & Aesthetics
Master Plan for the Nevada State Highway System
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