[Federal Register: March 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 42)]
[Notices]               
[Page 10525-10526]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04mr99-115]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Rock, Jefferson and Dodge 
Counties, Wisconsin

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 (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed 
highway improvement of State Trunk Highway (STH) 26 from the vicinity 
to Janesville to STH 60 (East) north of Watertown in Rock, Jefferson 
and Dodge Counties, Wisconsin.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard C. Madrzak, Field 
Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 567 D'Onfrio 
Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53719-2814. Telephone (608) 829-7510.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Wisconsin 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement to improve highway 26 as an ultimate four lane roadway from 
Interstate 90 near Janesville to highway 60 (East) north of Watertown a 
distance of about 77.2 km (48 mi).
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to provide 
for the existing and projected traffic demand. Highway 26 in Rock, 
Jefferson and Dodge Counties is classified as a principle arterial. 
Truck volume on the route is high. All the highway 26 traffic passes 
through the communities of Milton, Jefferson, Johnson Creek and 
Watertown, which contributes to congestion and traffic related impacts 
within those communities.
    Planning, environmental and engineering studies are underway to 
develop transportation alternatives. The EIS will assess the 
environmental impacts of alternatives including (1) no-build, (2) 
improvements along the existing rural corridor, with possible relocated 
alignments along portions of the route, and (3) bypass corridors around 
Milton, Jefferson, and Watertown. The City of Fort Atkinson is 
presently bypassed with a two-lane

[[Page 10526]]

rural roadway on four-lane right-of-way. Highway 26 is scheduled to be 
expanded to four lanes between Interstate 90 and the Village of Milton 
in year 1999 and also through the Village of Johnson Creek area in year 
2000.
    Information 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, or 
are known to have interest in this proposal. A series of public 
meetings will be held in the project corridor throughout the date 
gathering and development of alternatives. In addition, a public 
hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place 
of the meetings and hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the hearing. As part of the 
scoping process, coordination activities have begun. Scoping meetings 
will continue to be held on an individual or group meeting basis. 
Agency coordination will be accomplished during these meetings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 112372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued February 23, 1999.
Richard C. Madrzak,
Field Operations Engineer, Madison, Wisconsin.
[FR Doc. 99-5352 Filed 3-3-99; 8:45 am]
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