[Federal Register: July 27, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 144)]
[Notices]
[Page 41385-41386]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27jy07-105]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement; Cole County, MO
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 proposed
improvements to U.S. 50/U.S. 63, (Rex Whitton Expressway), in Jefferson
City, Cole County, Missouri.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Peggy Casey, Environmental
Projects Engineer, FHWA Division Office, 3220 West Edgewood, Suite H,
Jefferson City, MO 65109, Telephone: (573) 638-2620 or Mr. Kevin Keith,
Chief Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 270,
Jefferson City, MO 65102, Telephone: (573) 751-2803.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Missouri
Department of Transportation (MoDOT), will prepare an EIS for a
proposal to upgrade the existing U.S. 50/U.S. 63 (Rex Whitton
Expressway) facility. MoDOT completed a Problem Definition Study for
the study area in April 2006. The study identified issues and potential
concepts to address the issues.
The proposed action will accomplish several goals: (1) Provide
sufficient roadway capacity and improve traffic operations, (2) improve
traffic safety, (3) address geometric and structural deficiencies, (4)
and improve access to major activity centers and encourage development.
The proposed project study area is defined as the area in Jefferson
City from just east of the U.S. 50/U.S. 54 Tri-level interchange to the
Eastland Drive interchange for an approximate length of 3 miles; and
from 300 feet south of U.S. 50/U.S. 63 to McCarty Street on the north.
An additional area to the north of McCarty will be studied to address
access to the Missouri State Prison Redevelopment site. The width of
the study area varies from 400 to 800 feet.
Known potential impacts include access changes, and residential,
commercial and institutional acquisitions/relocations. Properties
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places which are
protected by Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of
1966 may also be impacted. Other potential Section 4(f) impacts are to
the East Miller Park, the Lincoln University Recreation Park, and the
Lincoln University Tennis Courts. The Lincoln University Tennis Courts
are also protected by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act
requirements. A floodplain development permit from the State Emergency
Management Agency may be required.
It is anticipated that the following will be invited to be
participating agencies on this project: The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, the State Emergency Management Agency, the Missouri
Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources, and the State Historic Preservation Office.
Alternatives under consideration include: (1) No build, (2) build
alternatives, and (3) transportation management options. The Problem
Definition Study looked at a number of alternatives but made no
recommendation. The EIS will look at the work done in this study as a
starting point and use this information in developing and evaluating
the reasonable alternatives.
To date, preliminary coordination has occurred with local officials
and other interested parties. A public meeting and two stakeholder
meetings were held during the Problem Definition Study. As part of the
scoping process, an
[[Page 41386]]
interagency coordination meeting will be held August 14, 2007 with
federal, state, and local agencies. In addition, public information
meetings and further meetings for community officials will be held to
solicit public and agency input on the project coordination plan, the
purpose and need for the project, and the reasonable range of
alternatives. A location public hearing will be held to present the
findings of the Draft EIS. Public notice will be given announcing the
time and place of all public meetings and the hearing. The Draft EIS
will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the
public hearing.
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 and questions concerning this proposed action should be
directed to FHWA or MoDOT at the addresses 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 19, 2007.
Peggy J. Casey,
Environmental Project Engineer, Jefferson City.
[FR Doc. E7-14572 Filed 7-26-07; 8:45 am]
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