[Federal Register: February 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 23)] [Notices] [Page 5699-5700] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr04fe99-111] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Statement: Erie County, NY AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, New York State Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 5700]] SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed Southtowns Connector/Buffalo Outer Harbor Project in Erie County, New York. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Russell, Regional Director, New York State Department of Transportation, Region 5, 125 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, (716) 847-3238 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, (518) 431-4127. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FWHA), in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Southtowns Connector/Buffalo Outer Harbor Project (the Proposed Action) in Erie County, New York. The Proposed Action is designed to improve mobility between and through the City of Buffalo and its southern suburban areas, consisting of the City of Lackawanna, the Village of Blasdell, the Town of Hamburg, and other outlying towns and villages. The Proposed Action is intended to support existing and projected transportation demands currently served by the following facilities: A portion of New York State (NYS) Route 5, consisting of a limited-access expressway and at-grade arterial road extending from the Buffalo Skyway (an elevated bridge passing over the Buffalo River) through the Buffalo Outer Harbor and the City of Lackawanna to the Town of Hamburg. The Mainline Section of the New York State Thruway (I-90); and The Niagara Section of the New York State Thruway (I-90). A series of previous planning efforts began the process for the development of the Proposed Action. The project was originally considered by the NYSDOT through the completion of the Southtowns Connector Feasibility Study in July 1991. It was also included in the Horizons Waterfront Action Plan, prepared by the Horizons Waterfront commission in January 1992. Further aspects of the project's components are listed in the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization's Long Range Transportation Plan, prepared by the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC). Most recently in 1998, NYSDOT prepared a Major Investment Study (MIS) associated with the Proposed Action. In accordance with the requirements set forth in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) the MIS was prepared as an Option 1 MIS. Option 1 MISs involve a process for formulating a single or series of locally-preferred alternatives that are progressed into subsequent analysis and documentation in a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) EIS. The MIS process was comprised of three major interrelated elements: (1) identification of deficiencies; (2) development and screening of alternatives; and (3) implementation of a pro-active public involvement program. Initially, twenty-nine alternatives were considered, each intended to meet the project's goals and objectives. Through the conducting of a major flaw analysis and further refinement the number of alternatives was reduced to fifteen. This was followed by more detailed comparative analysis, which resulted in the identification of five locally preferred alternatives remaining under consideration. These will be carried into the analysis for the EIS. The alternatives remaining under consideration consist of the following components: The No Action Alternative, which would involve only implementing planned and committed transportation projects through 2020. Implementation of Transportation System Management (TSM) strategies within the study area, such as improved informational systems; and Three Major Build Alternatives, including: --Construction of a new expressway utilizing an existing rail corridor that passes north to south through the study area, extending from Milestrip Road to I-190 near the Seneca Street Interchange in South Buffalo, and construction of a Lackawanna Connector expressway from NYS Route 5, near Smokes Creek, to I-90 near the NYS Route 219 interchange. --Improvement of existing facilities, involving widening of I-190 from Church Street in Downtown Buffalo to the I-90 Interchange, and widening of I-90 from the I-190 Interchange to the Lackawanna Toll Plaza, as well as construction of the Lackawanna Connector; and --Constructing a new transit way utilizing the existing rail corridor and construction of the Lackawanna Connector. NYSDOT is initiating a scoping process for the purpose of determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying significant issues related to the project. 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. NYSDOT will also conduct a series of formal NEPA public scoping meetings to be held at the following locations and times: February 16, 1999, 7:00-9:00 PM, Lackawanna Senior Citizen Complex, 420 Martin Road, Lackawanna, New York. February 18, 1999, 4:30-6:30 PM, NYSDOT Public Information Office, Waterfront Village Center, 50 Lakefront Boulevard, Buffalo, New York. February 24, 1999, 7:00-9:00 PM, Southside Elementary School Community Room, 430 Southside Parkway, Buffalo, New York. Each of the above locations has facilities accessible to the handicapped. Should attendees require materials for the hearing impaired associated with any of the public scoping meetings they should contact Mr. Gary Gottlieb at (716) 854-0280 at least 48 hours prior to the subject meeting. In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the hearing. The 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 all significant issues identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all agencies and interested parties. Comments or questions concerning this Proposed Action and the EIS should be directed to the NYSDOT for FHWA at the address provided above. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulation 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: January 26, 1999. Douglas P. Conlan, District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York. [FR Doc. 99-2651 Filed 2-3-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-M