[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31229]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 20, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Putnam County, NY
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 the Town of Southeast, Putnam County, New York.
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) 472-3616, or A.J. Bauman, Regional Director, New York
State Department of Transportation, Region 8, 4 Burnett Boulevard,
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, Telephone (914) 431-5750.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA and the New York State Department
of Transportation (NYSDOT), in cooperation with the Town of Southeast,
with input from the County of Putnam, will be preparing an
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve New York
State Route 22. The proposed improvement will involve the
reconstruction of the existing route from the northern terminus of
Interstate 684 to Putnam County Route 65, Putnam Lake Road, a distance
of 2.9 miles. Also under consideration in this proposal is construction
of a grade separated interchange at Putnam County Route 54, Milltown
Road.
The project proposes to improve traffic operation and safety on the
existing route. The proposed action is consistent with the NYSDOT
transportation improvement program for the Route 22 corridor, between
Interstate Route 684 and Route 55, which has been studied by the FHWA
and NYSDOT since 1980. In 1990, the Route 22 Corridor Development
Study--Final Project Development Report was completed. the Corridor
Development Study identified existing traffic operation and safety
problems, projected significant future increases in traffic demand,
identified needed highway improvements and recommended in
implementation plan. Improvement of Route 22 between Interstate Route
684 and County Route 65, Putnam Lake Road, was recommended, as were
other improvements within the corridor.
Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action, (2)
expanding the existing two-lane highway to four lanes with a flush
median and improved intersections; (3) expanding the existing two-lane
highway to four lanes divided by a median barrier and with turning
lanes at intersections; and (4) congestion management system
strategies. Variations to horizonal and vertical alignment and the
possible provision of an interchange at Milltown Road will also be
studied with the various build alternatives.
Based on studies done to date, issues that need to be analyzed in
depth include the impacts on noise, air and water quality, cultural
resources, floodplains, and adjacent right of way. The project's effect
on features such as Bog Brook Reservoir and East Branch will also be
addressed.
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
interest in this proposal. If necessary, a scoping meeting will be held
with involved Federal, State and local agencies. A public information
meeting will be held after additional study. The EIS will be made
available for agency and public review and comment, after which a
public hearing will be held.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to the 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 NYSDOT at the addresses provided above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program 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.)
Harold J. Brown,
Division Administrator, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 94-31229 Filed 12-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-29-M
