[Federal Register: June 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 125)]
[Notices]               
[Page 35239]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn99-146]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Sullivan County, New York

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 will be prepared for a proposed highway 
project in Sullivan County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Brizzell, Regional Director, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 
13901, Telephone: (607) 721-8116;
        or
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, 
Telephone: (518)431-4127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York 
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve NYS Route 
17 in Sullivan County, New York. The proposed improvement would involve 
the construction of a new controlled access freeway in the Town of 
Liberty near the hamlet of Parksville for a distance of about 4.6 
kilometers. The project objective is to reduce accident potential by 
constructing a controlled access freeway, built to interstate 
standards, with a full interchange serving the community of Parksville.
    Alternatives under consideration include: 1. Do Nothing and 2. 
Controlled access freeway, built to interstate standards, with a full 
interchange serving the community of Parksville. Three different 
alignments, 2A, 2B and 2D, are being considered for further study under 
the controlled access freeway alternative. Alternative 2A constructs a 
new freeway on an alignment south of the existing NYS Route 17. 
Alternative 2B constructs a new freeway generally following the 
alignment of existing NYS Route 17. Alternative 2D constructs a new 
freeway on a split alignment, i.e. westbound freeway lanes on existing 
NYS Route 17 alignment and eastbound freeway lanes on new alignment to 
the south. For each of the controlled access freeway alternatives there 
are five options for the full interchange serving the community of 
Parksville. Option 1, Split interchange: A ``half-diamond'' ramp would 
be at each end of the project. The east end of the project would have a 
westbound ramp and an eastbound on ramp. The west end of the project 
would have a eastbound off ramp and a westbound on ramp. Option 2, 
Direct-connector ramps at each end of the project: This option allows 
the same vehicle movements as option 1 but without impeded traffic 
flows. Option 3, Full interchange (full-diamond) at east end of 
project: This option permits all four vehicle movements at one location 
in the east end of the project. Option 4, Full interchange (full-
diamond) at west end of project: This option permits all four vehicle 
movements at one location in the west end of the project. Option 5, 
Full interchange (full-diamond) near the midpoint of the project: This 
option permits all four vehicle movements at the location near the 
midpoint of the project. Incorporated into and studied with the various 
build alternatives will be design variations of grade and alignment.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed 
interest in this proposal. Public informational meetings were held on 
June 26, 1998, September 3, 1998 and December 16, 1998 in the Town of 
Liberty. After the September meeting a steering committee was formed to 
address and resolve community issues that could influence development 
of the project. The committee, which consists of 27 members, met on 
November 16, 1998 and December 16, 1998. Additional public 
informational and steering committee meetings are planned and will 
continue as needed. In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public 
notice will be given of the time and place of meetings and hearings. 
The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and 
comment. No formal NEPA scoping meeting is planned at this time.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestion are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the NYSDOT or FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.295, 
Highway May 21, 1999 Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123.

    Issued on: June 21, 1999.
Douglas P. Conlan,
District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 99-16614 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am]
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