[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 50494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24743]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Butler County, PA
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 Butler County, Pennsylvania.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David W. Cough, P.E., Director of
Operations, Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Division
Office, 228 Walnut Street, Room 536, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 14101-
1720 (717) 221-3411 or George Boros, Project Manager, Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation, District 10-0, Route 286 South, P.O. Box
429, Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701, (724) 357-2842.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT), will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a transportation improvement
within the 12-mile study area of State Route 0228 (SR 228). The western
terminus of the study area encompasses U.S. Route 19 in Cranberry
Township, and the eastern terminus is slightly east of SR 0008 (SR 8)
in Middlesex Township. The northern and southern limits of the study
area comprise an area between a half-mile to two-mile width on either
side of the existing SR 228 corridor. A portion of the southern limit
of the study area borders the Butler and Allegheny County line.
The project will include the development of a reasonable range of
alternatives that meet the project need and the preparation of
supporting environmental documentation and analysis to recommend a
preferred alternative for implementation.
The primary purpose of this project is to relieve congestion along
the existing SR 228 corridor. The proposed action will be consistent
with the region's transportation goals and objectives as defined by the
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) and the Butler County
Planning Commission.
Alternatives that will be considered include new off-line roadway
alignments, on-line upgrade of existing roadways, and a no-build
alternative. Additionally, limited construction options including
Transportation Systems Management (TSM) and Congestion Management
System (CMS) strategies will be evaluated. These alternatives will be
the basis for a recommendation of alternatives to be carried forward
for detailed environmental and engineering studies. A preferred
alternative will be identified which best meets the need of the traffic
demand, and satisfies the environmental, socioeconomic and engineering
needs and incorporates public input.
A full public involvement program will be incorporated into the
project development process. A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will
be organized to provide an ongoing liaison between the local citizens
and the project team. A newsletter mailing list has been developed. A
Public Hearing will be held at the conclusion of the study to solicit
comments from the public on the alternatives presented. The Draft EIS
will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the
public hearing. The project website is active at the following address:
www.route228east.com.
Periodic meetings are scheduled with state and federal
environmental agencies through Agency Coordination Meetings (ACM) to
present project information and to receive comments and input from the
agencies on the development of the project.
Comments will be solicited from appropriate federal, state and
local agencies, and from private organizations and citizens who have
previously expressed, or are known to have an interest in this project.
Public meetings will be held in the area throughout the study process.
Public involvement and agency coordination will be maintained
throughout the development of the EIS.
To ensure that a 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 the proposed action and the EIS
should be directed to the FHWA or PENNDOT at the address provided
above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 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.)
James A. Cheatham,
FHWA Division Administrator, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
[FR Doc. 01-24743 Filed 10-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
