[Federal Register: August 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 155)]
[Notices]               
[Page 44078-44079]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12au99-123]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Lawrence County, Ohio

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
supplement to a final environmental impact statement will be prepared 
for a proposed highway project in Lawrence County, Ohio.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott McGuire, Field Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 200 North High Street, Room 
328, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Telephone: (614) 280-6852.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Ohio 
Department of Transportation, will prepare a supplement to the final 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve State 
Route (SR) 7 and SR 607 in Lawrence County, Ohio. The original EIS for 
the improvements (FHWA-OH-EIS-72-8-F) was approved on January 31, 1974. 
The supplement is being prepared due to the time elapsed since the 
original approval in 1974 and to adequately address new legislative and 
regulatory requirements. In response to the October 28, 1995, Federal 
planning regulations, a major investment study for the corridor has 
been completed by KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission.
    The existing facility, which travels thru the Villages of 
Chesapeake and Proctorville (on a two-lane roadway) is prone to heavy 
traffic numbers exacerbated by turning movements and resulting in a 
high accident situation. SR 7 in this area is also prone to flooding 
which results in roadway closure and impairs emergency vehicles. The 
section of roadway to be relocated is situated in southern Lawrence 
County across the Ohio river from Huntington, West Virginia, a major 
metropolitan area. This section of roadway is predominantly used for 
residents living in Ohio and working in the Huntington area. The 
project is situated in the Ohio River valley with steep hills to the 
north. The flatter lands to the south along the river have been 
developed for residential and commercial buildings. Improvements to the 
corridor are considered necessary to provide for existing and projected 
traffic demand.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
building a 4-lane limited access facility on new alignment. The 
alignments under consideration are slightly north of Chesapeake, 
Proctorville, and Rome.
    FHWA, ODOT and other local agencies invite participation in 
defining the alternatives to be evaluated in the supplemental EIS, and 
any significant social, economic, or environmental issues related to 
the alternatives. Information describing the purpose and

[[Page 44079]]

need of the project, the proposed alternatives, the areas to be 
evaluated, the citizen involvement program, and the preliminary project 
schedule may be obtained from the FHWA at the address provided above.
    Coordination with concerned federal, state, and local agencies has 
been ongoing throughout project development. A public meeting was held 
on June 27, 1996 at a point in time when an EIS was not believed to be 
necessary. Coordination will be continued throughout the study with 
federal, state, and local agencies, and with private organizations and 
citizens who express or are known to have interest in this project. On 
August 26, 1999, a public meeting will be held to obtain input on a 
preferred alignment. A Public Hearing will be held and may take place 
in the year 2000. Public notice will be given of the exact time and 
place of the meeting and the hearing to be held for the project. The 
Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to the Public Hearing. No formal scoping meeting will be held.
    To ensure that the full range of issues relating 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 supplemental EIS 
should be sent 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 on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued on: July 29, 1999.
Scott A. McGuire, P.E.,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Columbus, 
Ohio.
[FR Doc. 99-20918 Filed 8-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M