97-28865. Environmental Impact Statement: Smith County, TX  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Page 59023]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-28865]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Highway Administration
    
    
    Environmental Impact Statement: Smith County, TX
    
    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 a proposed 
    new location highway project in Smith County, Texas.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Mack, P.E., Acting District 
    Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Room 826, Federal Office 
    Building, 300 East 8th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Randy Hopman, P.E., 
    Director of Transportation Planning and Development, Texas Department 
    of Transportation, PO Box 2031, Tyler, Texas 75710.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
    Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will prepare an environmental 
    impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct the western section 
    of Loop 49, an approximately 40 mile circumferential controlled access 
    highway around the urbanized area of Tyler in Smith County, Texas. The 
    western section of the proposed Loop 49 extends from State Highway 155 
    northward to Interstate Highway 20 in western Smith County. The length 
    of the project varies, depending on the selected alternative, averaging 
    approximately 28.3 kilometers (17 miles). The proposed action is 
    intended to provide access and increased mobility to the western Tyler/
    Smith County area and the Northeast Texas region; and to provide a 
    safer, more convenient route for traffic traveling through the Tyler 
    area.
        Alternatives to the proposed action to be discussed in the EIS 
    consist of (1) taking no action; and (2) improving existing roadways in 
    the urbanized areas of Smith County. The build alternatives include 
    five alternative alignments along new location rights-of-way connecting 
    State Highway 155 to Interstate Highway 20.
        Impacts caused by the construction and operation of Loop 49 will 
    vary according to the alternative alignments utilized. Generally, 
    impacts would include the following: Transportation impacts 
    (construction detours, construction traffic, and mobility improvement), 
    air and noise impacts from construction equipment and operation of the 
    roadway, water impacts from construction area and roadway storm water 
    runoff, impacts to waters of the United States including wetlands from 
    right-of-way encroachment, wildlife habitat impacts, and impacts to 
    residents and businesses including potential relocations.
        Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have 
    been sent to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies, and to 
    private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed 
    interest in the proposal. A Major Investment Study has been completed 
    in compliance with the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency 
    Act. In addition, several meetings have been held by the Loop 49 
    Steering Committee, composed of representatives of local governments, 
    agencies, and interested organizations and citizens. A public meeting 
    was held on August 28, 1997, at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, 
    Texas, at which public comments on the proposed action and alternatives 
    were requested. In addition, a public hearing will be held after 
    publication of the Draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time 
    and place of 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 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 or TxDOT at the addresses provided above.
    
    (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
    Highway Research Planning and Construction. The regulations 
    implementing Executive Order 12373 regarding intergovernmental 
    consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
    program)
    
        Issued on: October 21, 1997.
    John Mack,
    Acting District Engineer, Austin, Texas.
    [FR Doc. 97-28865 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/31/1997
Department:
Federal Highway Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of intent.
Document Number:
97-28865
Pages:
59023-59023 (1 pages)
PDF File:
97-28865.pdf