[Federal Register: May 10, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 91)]
[Notices]
[Page 23966-23967]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10my01-110]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Evansville, IN and
Henderson, KY
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed
I-69 corridor in the Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky area.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Dirks, Environmental
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 575 North Pennsylvania
Street, Room 254, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Telephone: (317) 226-
7492, Fax: (317) 226-7341, e-mail: robert. dirks@fhwa. dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Indiana
department of Transportation (INDOT), the Kentucky Transportation
Cabinet (KYTC) and the Evansville Urban Transportation Study (EUTS),
will prepare an EIS to determine a proposed route for the I-69 Corridor
through the Evansville, Indiana-Henderson, Kentucky area, extending
south from I-64 in Indiana to the Pennyrile Parkway in Kentucky. The
proposed facility is anticipated to provide an interstate-type facility
with two lanes in each direction (with the possibility of three lanes
in each direction depending on forecasted traffic volumes) separated by
a median. The study will build upon the previous Corridor 18 studies
(the Feasibility Study, 1995; the Special Issues Study, 1997; and the
Special Environmental Study, 2000), which identified a variety of
environmental and location factors that must be considered prior to the
construction of I-69 as an addition to the Interstate System. The EIS
will discuss environmental, social, and economic impacts associated
with the develoment of the proposed action.
Up to five (5) possible conceptual alternatives (including one (1)
to the east and two (2) to the west of Evansville and Henderson, one
(1) incorporating U.S. 41, and one (1) focusing on ITS (Intelligent
Transportation Systems) strategies for existing US 41 and I-164 through
Evansville and Henderson), as well as a no-build alternative, will be
examined. The study will identify and consider potential impacts the
project may have on natural, cultural, historic and other environmental
resources. Early coordination meetings will be held with federal,
state, regional and local resource agencies. An environmental
``footprint'' will be developed at the outset of the study, and will be
made available at the initial public information meetings. These early
public meetings will be held to solicit input from citizens and local
officials prior to the development of detailed alternatives. A formal
scoping meeting will be scheduled with the appropriate resource
agencies to review the purpose and need and the conceptual alternatives
to be considered. A second interagency meeting will be held to review
the selection of alternatives to be retained for detailed study. A
third interagency review meeting will be held to review the selected
action and conceptual mitigation. Utilizing input from these agencies,
input received at public meetings, and information obtained from field
review, alternatives will be developed along with preliminary cost
estimates for each of the alternatives. This information, along with
environmental investigations, will be presented at a second series of
public information meetings for review and public comment.
Following evaluation of public comments, alternatives will be
refined and evaluated, a preferred alternative may be identified, and a
Draft EIS will be prepared. Public hearings will then be held in
accordance with all State and Federal requirements. Public notice will
be given of the time and place of the public hearings. The Draft EIS
will be available for public and agency review and comment. To ensure
that the full range of issues related to the proposed action are
addressed and that all significant issues are identified, comments and
suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to the FHWA contact at the address provided above.
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State contacts FHWA Division contacts
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Indiana
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Steve Cecil, Deputy Commissioner of John Baxter, Division
Planning and Intermodal Transp., Administrator, Federal Highway
Indiana Department of Transportation, Administration, 575 North
100 North Senate Ave., Room N755, Pennsylvania St., Room 254,
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2249; Phone: Indianapolis, Indiana 46204;
317-232-5535; Fax: 317-232-0238; e- Phone: 317-226-7475; Fax: 317-
mail: scecil@indot.state.in.us. 226-7341; e-mail:
john.baxter@fhwa.dot.gov
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[[Page 23967]]
Kentucky
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John Carr, Deputy State Highway Jose Sepulveda, Division
Engineer, Kentucky Transportation Administrator, Federal Highway
Cabinet, State Office Building, Rm. Administration, 330 W.
1005, 501 High Street, Frankfort, KY Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601;
40622; Phone: 502-564-3730; Fax: 502- Phone: 502-223-6720; Fax: 502-
564-2277; e-mail: 223-6735; e-mail:
jcarr@mail.kytc.state.ky.us. jose.sepulveda@fhwa.dot.gov
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(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.205, Highway
Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive
Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal
programs and activities apply to the program).
Authority: 23 USC 315; 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: May 1, 2001.
Robert Dirks,
Environmental Specialist, FHWA, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[FR Doc. 01-11794 Filed 5-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M