[Federal Register: June 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 115)] [Notices] [Page 32299] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr16jn99-123] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Statement: Dallas County, Texas AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed transportation project in Dallas County, Texas. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Walter C. Waidelich Jr., District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 300 E. 8th Street, Room 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone (512) 916-5988. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Trinity Parkway reliever route from the SH-183/IH-35E interchange to SH-310/US-175 interchange to relieve traffic congestion on IH-35E and IH-30 within the City of Dallas. In 1998. A Major Transportation Investment Study (MTIS) was completed by TxDOT in order to develop a locally-preferred plan to solve transportation problems along the Trinity River corridor in Dallas and to integrate with community plans and goals for the Trinity River resource. The study was focused on transportation needs in the IH-35E/IH-30 interchange on the west side of downtown Dallas, locally known as the ``Mixmaster,'' and the depressed segment of IH-30 south of downtown, locally known as the ``Canyon.'' The MTIS Recommended Plan of Action is comprised of seven elements, which include improvements to existing facilities, improving alternative transportation modes, and constructing a reliever route along the Trinity River. The MTIS considered in detail four corridors for the proposed reliever route. These included Stemmons Freeway (IH- 35E), Industrial Boulevard, the east Trinity River levee and the west Trinity River levee. During the MTIS process, numerous alternatives were evaluated for the reliever roadway. The analysis of effects for each of the reliever roadway alternatives included the estimation of construction and right- of-way costs, traffic capacity considerations, effect on natural and cultural assets, effect on social and economic conditions, impacts on Trinity River projects, number of displacements, effect on access to adjacent properties, and difficulty/disruption in construction. From the preliminary alternatives considered, four build alternatives, one along existing Industrial Boulevard and three along the Trinity River levees, were identified as potential alternative alignments that warrant further study. The principal variations of the three alternatives along the Trinity River levees consist of a combined roadway with eight general purpose lanes along the river side of the east levee; a split parkway with four general purpose lanes along the river side of both levees; and a split parkway with four general purpose lanes along the land side of both levees. The Industrial Boulevard alternative consists of an elevated roadway (double-deck) with eight general purpose lanes and two high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. These alternatives and the no-build alternative along with any other reasonable alternatives identified during the scoping and public involvement processes will be analyzed in further detail during the EIS review process. The EIS will include a discussion of the effects of other known and reasonably foreseeable agency actions proposed within the Trinity Parkway corridor study area, which include proposed projects by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City of Dallas. The USACE has proposed flood control improvements consisting of the proposed Dallas Floodway Extension, which encompasses the Dallas Floodway from the AT&SF Railroad near Corinth Street to IH-20; and proposed flood control improvements from the AT&SF Railroad to Royal Lane in Dallas. The USACE has submitted a final EIS for the proposed Dallas Floodway Extension project. The proposed flood control improvements between the AT&SF Railroad and Royal Lane will be evaluated as part of a Programmatic EIS to be completed by the USACE for the Trinity River complex from the southern boundary of Dallas County to the upper reaches of the Trinity River Elm Fork, West Fork, and Clear Fork. The City of Dallas has proposed various Trinity River floodway improvements, which include the construction of lakes, wetlands, hike and bike trails, parks, and other recreational amenities. This project is identified as the City of Dallas Trinity River Master Implementation Plan and is currently in the planning stage. A public scoping meeting is planned to be held in the summer of 1999. The date will be announced locally at a later time. This will be the first in a series of meetings to solicit public comments on the proposed action. In addition, public hearings will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and hearings. The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the 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 of Federal programs and activities apply to this program.) Walter C. Waidelich, Jr., District Engineer, Austin, Texas. [FR Doc. 99-15262 Filed 6-15-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-M