[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 7040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4073]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement; Erie County, New York
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, New York State Department of
Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The action to be evaluated by this Environmental Impact
Statement is the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the Peace Bridge
U.S. Plaza and Connecting Roadways to improve circulation and increase
capacity for the processing of commercial and passenger vehicles at the
international border with Canada.
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,
(518) 431-4127; or Robert J. Russell, Regional Director, New York State
Department of Transportation, Region 5, 125 Main Street, Buffalo, New
York 14203, (716) 847-3238; or Clifford T. Elwood, Capital Projects
Manager, Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, Peace Bridge
Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14213-2494, (716) 884-6752.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA),
in cooperation with the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority
(BFEPBA) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT),
will evaluate various Plaza alternatives which consider building
placement, vehicle circulation patterns, and improved ingress and
egress. Each option calls for a major renovation of the 17-acre
international toll plaza including toll booths, administration
buildings and primary and secondary inspection operations performed by
the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization
Service. Alternatives include potential expansion of the existing Plaza
to accommodate space requirements for primary and secondary vehicle
inspection, vehicle circulation and processing. Connecting roadway
alternatives consider improved ingress and egress patterns to the Plaza
to facilitate improved on-site circulation, closure of Moore and Baird
Drives within the Historic Front Park, and improved connections between
I-190, local roadways, and the Peace Bridge Plaza. The environmental,
socio-economic, and engineering viability implications of each
alternative will be examined. The no action alternative will also be
analyzed as a base line for gauging the impacts of the Plaza and
roadway reconfiguration alternatives.
Input from federal, State, local governments, local agencies,
private organizations, and the community will be solicited during the
development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A public
scoping meeting and a formal public hearing will be scheduled. Public
notice will be given to identify the time and place for the meeting and
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,
questions, and suggestions are invited from all interested parties.
They should be directed to the BFEPBA, NYSDOT or FHWA at the address
provided above.
Issued on February 13, 1996.
Stanley Gee,
Assistant Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration,
Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 96-4073 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
