96-27297. Environmental Impact Statement: Atlantic and Cape May Counties, NJ

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 207 (Thursday, October 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 55182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27297]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Atlantic and Cape May Counties, 
NJ

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 will be prepared for a proposed highway 
project in Atlantic and Cape May Counties, New Jersey.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helene Cook, Division Bridge Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, 840 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 310, West 
Trenton, NJ 08628.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New Jersey 
Department of Transportation will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve State Highway Route 52 in 
Atlantic and Cape May Counties, New Jersey. The proposed improvements 
would involve the improvement of the Causeway between Ocean City and 
Somers Point city for a distance of about 3.8 Kilometers (2.1 Miles) 
including replacement of four bridges (two fixed and two movable) over 
the waterway. This may also result in the relocation of the 
Intercoastal Waterway.
    Improvements to this highway are considered necessary to provide a 
safer roadway linking the two cities. Alternatives under consideration 
include (1) No-Build; (2) replacing the bridges in kind on same 
alignment; (3) Replacing the bridges with one high level fixed bridge 
with 18.28 meters (60 feet) vertical under-clearance on an offset 
alignment; (4) Replacement on the same alignment with higher level 
movable bridges; (5) construction of high level fixed bridges at the 
current location of the movable bridges. Incorporated into and studied 
with various build alternatives will be design variations of grade and 
alignment.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments 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. A series of public meetings 
will be held during the development of this document. Public notice 
will be given of the time and place of the meetings and hearing. The 
draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to public hearing. A formal scoping meeting will be conducted 
before the end of 1996.
    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 the FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding inter-governmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)

    Issued on: October 15, 1996.
Robin Schroeder,
Program Operations Team Leader FHWA--New Jersey Division, Trenton.
[FR Doc. 96-27297 Filed 10-23-96; 8:45 am]
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