[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 223 (Monday, November 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28656]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 21, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Monroe and Greenbrier County, WV,
Giles County, VA
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 involving about 52 miles of US 219 and extending from US 460 in
the south to 3.5 miles north of I-64 in the north. A 2-mile length of
US 219 from the Rich Creek junction with US 460 to the state line is in
Giles County, Virginia. The remaining section of US 219 is in Monroe
County and Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bobby W. Blackmon, Acting Division
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 550 Eagan Street, Suite
300, Charleston, West Virginia 25301, Telephone: (304) 347-5929, or Ben
L. Hark, Environmental Section Chief, Roadway Design Division, West
Virginia Department of Transportation, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East,
Building 5, Room A-830, Capitol Complex, Charleston, West Virginia
25305-0430, Telephone: (304) 558-3236.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the West
Virginia Department of Highways (WVDOH), will prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed highway improvement to US 219
expanding the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane, controlled
access highway. Most of the 52-mile highway improvement will occur in
West Virginia, with a 2-mile section at the southern end extending into
Virginia.
The intent of the project is to improve access in the project area
where US 219 serves as the primary north-south route through major
population concentrations, business centers, and recreation areas in
the eastern portion of West Virginia. Also, the roadway comprises the
southernmost segment of the 540-mile long ``Seneca Trail International
Highway,'' as US 219 is presently known. This highway proceeds from the
Canadian border at Buffalo to Virginia, linking with interstate
highways to all mid-Atlantic and southeastern states. Following
implementation of the US/Canada and North American Free Trade (NAFTA)
Agreements, increasing trade and tourist traffic is expected, which
could promote economic expansion in adjacent depressed areas of
Appalachia.
Present roadway deficiencies in the proposed project area include
sections with poor geometric design, lack of sight distance, poor level
of service, restrictive speed limits, and a lack of passing
opportunities. These functional, operational, and physical deficiencies
compel this action.
Project alternatives will involve the No-Action Alternative and a
combination of Build Alternatives.
The EIS will assess the alternatives and their environmental
effects through detailed studies of socioeconomic, natural, visual, and
cultural resources; air quality; noise impacts; secondary and
cumulative effects; energy utilization; hazardous wastes; utilities;
and permitting. Joint development prospects, congestion management, the
relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the
maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and any
irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be
involved in the proposed action will be determined.
A Plan of Study describing the proposed action and soliciting
comments will be forwarded to appropriate Federal, State, and local
agencies. Agencies will be invited to attend a scoping meeting where
aspects of the proposed action will be discussed. When completed, the
draft EIS will be provided for public and agency review and comment.
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 the proposed action should be directed to the FHWA
or West Virginia Department of Transportation at the addresses
provided.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 20.205, Highway
Research Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
federal programs and activities apply to this program.)
Issued on: November 8, 1994.
Bobby W. Blackmon,
Acting Division Administrator, Charleston, West Virginia.
[FR Doc. 94-28656 Filed 11-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
