[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 199 (Friday, October 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 53483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25681]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Broome County, New York
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), New York State
Department of Transportation (NYDOT).
ACTION: Retract notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS), Susquehanna River Crossing.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
EIS will not be prepared for a proposed bridge that crosses the
Susquehanna River connecting Route 17C with Route 17 and Route 434 in
eastern Tioga/western Broome Counties, New York as advertised in the
Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harold J. Brown, Division
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, New York Division, Leo
W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl
Street, Albany, New York 12207, Telephone: (518) 431-4127; or Richard
R. Church, Regional Director, New York State Department of
Transportation, Binghamton State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street,
Binghamton, New York 13901-3200, Telephone (607) 721-8116.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the NYSDOT,
has determined that an EIS will not be prepared for the proposal to
construct a bridge and associated approach roadway and interchange
ramps for a new crossing of the Susquehanna River. The NYSDOT evaluated
four corridors connecting NYS Route 17C with NYS Route 17 and NYS Route
17 and 434 located between Hiawatha Boulevard in the town of Owego,
Tioga County and NYS Route 26 in the town of Vestal and village of
Endicott, Broome County. NYSDOT initiated the preparation of a Draft
EIS. A public hearing was held in July 1996 to present the project
information to the public and solicit comments.
Upon reevaluation of the project alternatives with regard to goals,
economics, environmental impacts and public input, it was determined
that Alternative ``A'' has a project objective different from the other
alternatives and will be pursued independently. This corridor spans the
Susquehanna River at the Route 17 (Exit 66) interchange connecting the
hamlets of Apalachin/Campville in the town of Owego, Tioga County. The
existing bridges span Route 17 carrying the Exit 66 on and off ramps.
They are identified as BINs 1054771 and 1054772. This alternative meets
the requirements for a Categorical Exclusion with FHWA concurrence. A
Final Design Report will be prepared that evaluates two locations for
Alternative ``A'' crossing and the no action alternative.
The benefits with Alternative ``A'' include the potential for
increased economic development, increased access between Routes 17C,
434 and 17 in the project area, and improved delivery of public
services in the town of Owego which is split by the Susquehanna River.
The environmental impacts associated with Alternative ``A'' are
minor and include: noise impacts at nine locations, disturbance of
approximately a 0.3 acre wetland and/or stream in the project area, and
a 3% increase in energy consumption.
Issued on: September 30, 1996.
Harold J. Brown,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New
York.
[FR Doc. 96-25681 Filed 10-10-96; 8:45 am]
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