[Federal Register: September 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 173)] [Notices] [Page 48889-48890] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr08se99-108] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Statement: SR 20 (Sharpes Corner to SR 536) Skagit County, WA AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent and notice of scoping. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared to evaluate potential solutions to identify safety problems and traffic congestions along SR 20 in Skagit County, Washington. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Fong, Federal Highway Administration, 711 South Capital Way, Suite 501, Olympia, Washington 98501, Telephone: (360) 753-9480; or John Okamoto, Washington State Department of Transportation, Northwest Region, [[Page 48890]] PO Box 330310, Seattle, WA 98133-9710. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on alternative solutions that can reduce the accident rate and provide capacity to meet current and future needs along a 7-mile stretch of the State Route 20 corridor near Anacortes. The SR EIS is a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ``pilot'' project, intended to evaluate and improve the application of the NEPA process. The ``pilot'' process was developed cooperatively by Washington State and Federal agencies, and is jointly sponsored by FHWA and WSDOT. This segment of SR 20 includes two designated ``high accident corridors,'' due to the number and severity of accidents that have occurred at intersections. The predominant accident types are rear-end collisions and entering-at-angle accidents. The accident rate is made worse by increasing traffic volumes. Travel demand forecasts indicate continued traffic growth over the next 20 years. Forecasts indicate that traffic growth may increase travel time along portions of this segment of SR 20. Solutions are needed to reduce the rate of fatal accidents and to provide for the projected traffic demand. While alternative have not been identified, preliminary alternatives that could meet the need and may be considered in the EIS include: taking no action; traffic calming; transportation demand management; transportation system management; eliminating left turns; transit improvements and/or improved transit access; improvement of alternative modes of travel; improved freight movement by truck and/or rail; additional traffic signals; modified signage; grade separation at intersections; and/or added lanes or frontage roads. Combinations of these solutions are possible. The list of alternatives to be addressed in the EIS will be finalized after taking scoping comments into account. Scoping Letters soliciting comments on the scope of the EIS and describing the purpose, need, and potential alternatives 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. Two meetings will be held to identify the scope of issues to be addressed, the significant issues, and the alternatives. The meeting will be conducted on October 6, 1999, at, Anacortes City Hall Chambers in Anacortes, Washington. The first meeting from 9 a.m. to noon will be conducted to focus on input from governmental agencies and tribes. The second, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be conducted primarily for the public. Written scoping comments may be submitted to the FHWA or WSDOT at the address provided above. 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 action and the EIS should be directed to FHWA or WSDOT 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: August 27, 1999. Donald A. Petersen, Transportation and Environmental Engineer, Olympia, Washington. [FR Doc. 99-23249 Filed 9-7-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-M