[Federal Register: February 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 40)]
[Notices]
[Page 10855-10856]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28fe08-119]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Los Angeles County, CA
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public
that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a
proposed highway widening project on Interstate 5 in the cities of
Santa Fe Springs, Commerce, Montebello, Downey, and East Los Angeles,
in Los Angeles County, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Kosinski, Deputy District
Director, Caltrans District 7, 100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA
90012 (213) 897-0703.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective July 1, 2007, the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) assigned, and the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) assumed, environmental responsibilities for
this project pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal for constructing freeway
improvements to Interstate 5 (I-5) from Interstate 605 (I-605) though
the I-5/Interstate 710 (I-710) interchange in Los Angeles County,
California. The project consists of widening I-5 to accommodate High
Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and/or general purpose lanes. Depending
on the alternative selected, the project may also include modifications
to the I-605 and I-710 interchanges. A Major Investment Study (MIS) for
the project was completed in July 1998. It identified a fully standard
ten-lane, at-grade facility as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).
The purpose of the proposed project is to (1) improve level of
service during AM and PM peak periods, to reduce congestion related
delays, and enhance safety and mobility in this segment of the I-5
freeway as compared to the no-build condition; (2) provide continuity
of facilities and capacity on the I-5 freeway between the I-605 and I-
710 in Los Angeles County; (3) maintain structural flexibility in the
freeway corridor for additional future capacity improvements; (4)
improve interchange access/egress points and levels of service; (5)
improve access to regional transit and HOV facilities; (6) improve
mobility on local surface streets operationally interdependent with the
freeway corridor by reducing existing and future congestion on both the
state and local facilities; and (7) explore Transportation System
Management (TSM) improvements for the I-5 and parallel arterials.
Alternatives under consideration include (1) a no-build option; (2)
implementing a Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand
Management plan; (3) constructing a 10-lane facility with two HOV
lanes; and (5) constructing a 12-lane facility (may be constructed in
stages depending on availability of funding) with two or four HOV
lanes. Alternatives that promote transit use, improve access to the
Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, and engineering designs that are
compatible with the alternatives proposed for the I-710 Freeway
(including the I-710 Mini-Study) are also important considerations.
These basic alternatives will have additional design variations,
which provide optional lane use (general, HOV, or auxiliary use),
optional on and off ramp modifications, and other engineering details.
These alternatives may be refined, combined with various different
alternative elements, or be removed from further consideration, as
[[Page 10856]]
more analysis is conducted on the project alternatives.
The following permits would be required to construct the proposed
project:
Section 404 nationwide permit from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers
Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
Section 1601 Streambed Alteration Agreement from the
California Department of Fish and Game
Encroachment permits from the various cities in which
project construction would occur.
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, Participating Agencies, and
local agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have
previously expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. In
addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of
the time and place of the meeting and hearing. The Environmental Impact
Statement will be available for public and agency review and comment
prior to the public hearing. A Public Scoping meeting is currently
scheduled for February 27, 2008 in the City of Commerce.
To ensure that the full range of issues related 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 EIS should be
directed to Caltrans 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.)
Nancy Bobb,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. E8-3767 Filed 2-27-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P