[Federal Register: November 13, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 219)]
[Notices]               
[Page 63523-63524]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13no98-152]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Steuben County, NY

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, New York State Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The action to be evaluated by this environmental impact 
statement is the reconstruction of the U.S. Route 15 juncture with NYS 
Route 17 (the Southern Tier Expressway) in Steuben County, New York. 
This proposed action would improve capacity at the interchange and 
provide for the separation of local and regional traffic.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harold J. Brown, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, New York Division, Leo 
W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl 
Street, Albany, New York 12207, (518) 431-4125; or Peter White, 
Regional Director, New York State Department of Transportation Region 
6, 107 Broadway, Hornell, New York 14843, (607) 324-8404.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FWHA), 
in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation 
(NYSDOT), will evaluate various alternatives which will consider 
development of a fully directional interchange at the juncture of U.S. 
Route 15 with NYS Route 17 in Steuben County, New York. Each build 
option would include the complete reconfiguration/reconstruction of the 
existing interchange to provide direct connections for the primary 
movements between Route 15 and Route 17 while accommodating local high 
volume traffic flows and local access. Additionally there would be new 
expressway and ramp construction, pavement rehabilitation/
reconstruction, bridge and culvert rehabilitation/replacement, 
drainage, lighting and signalization. The proposed project limits 
extend along NYS Route 17 from Exit 43 (NYS Route 415) easterly to Exit 
45 (NYS Route 352) approximately two miles; and along U.S. Route 15 
from its intersection NYS Route 17, southerly to its overpass with NYS 
Route 417 approximately two miles. The proposed action is anticipated 
to result in a balanced transportation system that will supply 
sufficient capacity, improved mobility and access; meet current/future 
traffic demand; eliminate current bridge deficiencies; reduce or 
eliminate vehicular conflicts/accidents; separate local and regional 
traffic flows, as well as provide improved local service access between 
the City of Coming, the Villages of Riverside and painted Post, and the 
Hamlet of Gang Mills.
    Alternatives under consideration include: no build or the null 
alternative; separation of local and expressway traffic through the 
relocation of Hamilton Street and the upgrade of Route 15 to a limited 
access expressway; development of a half or full diamond interchange at 
Route 417; retainage or elimination of the Route 352 flyover to Route 
17; the development of collector-distributor roads along Route 17 
between Exit 44 and Exit 45; and retention or elimination of local 
access at Exit 44. The environmental, socio-economic, and engineering 
viability implications of each alternative will be examined. The no 
action alternative will also be analyzed as a base line for gauging, 
the impacts of the build alternates.
    Input from Federal, state and local governments, local agencies, 
private organizations, and the community will be solicited during the 
development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A public 
scoping, meetings and a formal public hearing will be scheduled. Public 
notice will be given to identify the time and place for the meeting and 
hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment prior to the public hearing.
    Comments, questions, and suggestions pertaining to the proposed 
action are invited from interested parties to ensure that all 
significant issues are identified and addressed. Comments should be 
directed to the FHWA or the NYSDOT at the addresses provided above.


[[Page 63524]]


    Issued on November 4, 1998.
Douglas P. Conlan,
District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 98-30425 Filed 11-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M