[Federal Register: December 24, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 247)]
[Notices]
[Page 78563]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24de02-162]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: La Plata County, CO
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this Notice of Intent to advise the public
that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a
proposed transportation project to improve the safety, capacity, and
efficiency of US Highway 160 from Durango to Bayfield in La Plata
County, Colorado.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph P. Duran, FHWA Colorado
Division, 555 Zang Street, Suite 250, Lakewood, Colorado 80228.
Telephone (303) 969-6730 Extension 385, or the Colorado Department of
Transportation, Kerrie E. Neet, Right of Way/Environmental/Planning
Manager, CDOT Region 5, 3803 North Main Ave, Suite 300, Durango,
Colorado 81301, 970-385-1430 or (e-mail: kerrie.neet@dot.state.co.us).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, cooperation with the Colorado
Department of Transportation Region 5, will prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve the safety, capacity,
and efficiency of US 160 from the US 160/US 550-east intersection,
easterly through Bayfield in La Plata County. The proposal is to widen
what is primarily a two-lane roadway into a four-lane highway, with
shifts and realignments in some locations. The project will also
correct substandard roadway design, intersection deficiencies and
consider the need to relocate the existing US 160/US 550-east
intersection.
US 160 is a principal arterial on the National Highway System,
providing the only major east-west corridor for the transport of
people, goods, and services across southwestern Colorado. This highway
serves as the major route for local and regional traffic into Durango
and Bayfield. The existing US 160 highway improvements were constructed
in the 1950s and 1960s, and the typical design life for a highway is 20
years. Based on projected traffic volumes, the function of this highway
will continue to deteriorate, causing increased safety hazards and
maintenance costs. Some sections of this highway currently exhibit an
above average traffic accident rate.
The scoping process to develop alternatives along the US 160
corridor began in September 1996 and a Final US 550 and US 160
Feasibility Study was completed and signed by the FHWA in February
1999. The Feasibility Study identified the improvements needed to
achieve the goals of increasing the highway's efficiency, capacity, and
improving safety with concern for important public values. Public and
agency input on alternatives was sought through a series of public
meetings.
A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to determine the
potential for significant impacts due to the proposed highway widening
and shifts in alignment. As a result of this analysis and issues raised
during the public process, the FHWA has determined that preparation of
an EIS is appropriate. Identified impacts warranting this determination
include wetlands, threatened/endangered species, environmental justice,
wildlife, and private property owner concerns.
Changes in the anticipated land use and jurisdiction are in
progress for the western portion of the project corridor known as
``Grandview.'' this area is being studied for urban services and is
likely to be annexed to the City of Durango. This warrants the
consideration of a new ``urban'' type of four-lane improvement.
Consideration of all reasonable alternatives will be performed to
determine how to best meet the project purpose and need. Alternative
alignments developed in the EA process will be reevaluated for
potential inclusion in the EIS. As required by NEPA, the EIS will also
evaluate a ``No Action'' alternative as a baseline for comparing
impacts of all the alternatives. Multimodal facilities, including park-
n-ride lots and shared use (bicycle/pedestrian) paths, will be
considered as part of the alternatives analysis.
A public scoping meeting will be held during February or March 2003
to present alternatives. Notices of this public meeting will be mailed
to citizens, property owners, agencies, and posted in local news media.
Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements will be prepared and
made available for public and agency review prior to public hearings.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues 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 at the address provided above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)
Issued on: December 4, 2002.
Joseph P. Duran,
Operations Engineer, Colorado Division FHWA, 555 Zang Street Suite 250,
Lakewood, CO 80228.
[FR Doc. 02-32301 Filed 12-23-02; 8:45 am]
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