The purpose and need for a project identifies the problems to be addressed in the study; serves as a basis for project goals, objectives, and evaluation measures; and provides a framework for identifying reasonable alternatives. The purpose and need statement explains why an agency is proposing to spend potentially large amounts of taxpayer’s money to study and implement a project. If a project could potentially cause significant environmental and community impacts, the purpose and need statement explains how the project provides enough benefits to justify those potential impacts.

The following items are common sense questions and considerations for developing the purpose and need for a project:

• Project Status – What is the planning history of the corridor, including actions taken to date, other agencies and governmental units involved, actions pending, schedules, etc.?
• Capacity - Is the capacity of facilities and services in the corridor inadequate for the present movement of people? What is the projected demand for services? What capacity is needed? What time of day? What is the level(s) of service for existing and proposed facilities and systems?
• System Linkage - Is the proposed project a “connecting link?” How does it fit in the transportation system?
• Social Demands or Economic Development - New employment, schools, land use plans, recreation, etc. What projected economic development / land use changes indicate the need to improve or add to system capacity?
• Modal Interrelationships - How will the proposed alternatives interface with and complement the performance of highways and transit systems, rail facilities, bicycle and pedestrian travel, etc.?