LOIZA EMERGENCY EVACUATION ROUTE

TRCE was contracted by the Puerto Rico Highway Authority (PRHTA) to evaluate and propose alternatives to improve mobility within the Municipality of Loíza and to provide an evacuation route for the Loíza urban area. The development of a new road infrastructure will serve as an evacuation route during emergency events for residents and visitors of the town area in the Municipality of Loíza, Puerto Rico. TRCE developed a feasible evacuation route aimed at saving lives, taking into consideration the existing transportation system, engineering and traffic conditions, and the natural and socioeconomic environment.

Five (5) alternatives including the No Action alternative, improvements to the existing road system, and the construction of a new road were evaluated as feasible for the evacuation route. Several criteria, including transportation, environmental and social impacts, and engineering considerations, were used to select the feasible alternatives.

TRCE prepared the studies, assessments coordination’s required to prepare the feasibility study, including an environmental site assessment and analysis, cultural resources assessment, socioeconomic study, noise study, traffic study, hydrologic and hydraulic studies, and conceptual designs. TRCE also supported public involvement efforts and project coordination with PRHTA and government agencies.

The selected alternative would provide transportation benefits, with the least environmental impacts and least cost.  The Preferred Alternative includes: (1) Build the South Connector (new road) from PR-187 km. 21 to PR-188 km. 5.3; and (2) Perform improvements to State Road PR-188 along its existing alignment, from the intersection of PR-187 with PR-188 (km 5.85) to the intersection of PR-3 with PR-188.