[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10108-10109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5338]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Bernalillo County, NM
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)
[[Page 10109]]
for the Gibson East Transportation Corridor Study.
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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
transportation project in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, in accordance
with 23 CFR part 771.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Reuben S. Thomas, Division Administrator, Federal Highway
Administration, 604 W. San Mateo Rd., Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505,
Telephone: (505) 820-2022.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New Mexico
State Highway and Transportation Department and the City of Albuquerque
Public Works Department, will prepare an environmental impact statement
(EIS) on a proposal to improve Gibson Boulevard in Bernalillo County,
New Mexico. The proposed action involves the improvement of Gibson
Boulevard beginning at Interstate 25 and extending eastward to the Juan
Tabo Boulevard-Interstate 40 interchange for a total corridor distance
of about 12.9 kilometers or 8.0 miles.
The proposed action addresses the need to relieve increased traffic
congestion in the southeast quadrant of Albuquerque with a safe and
efficient transportation system that also serves major employment
centers including the Albuquerque International Airport, Kirtland Air
Force Base, the Kirtland Airforce Base/Veterans Administration Medical
Center, and the Lovelace Medical Center.
Alternatives under consideration include (1) the No Build
Alternative; (2) the Arterial Alternative; (3) The Expressway
Alternative; (4) the Expressway/Arterial Alternative, and (5) the
Transit/High-Occupancy Vehicle Alternative.
The No Build Alternative would maintain the existing condition of
Gibson Boulevard as a six-lane principal arterial with varying degrees
of access control from the Interstate 25/Gibson Boulevard interchange
eastward to its existing terminus at Louisiana Boulevard, a distance of
approximately 6.4 kilometers or 4.0 miles.
The Arterial Alternative would reconstruct major street
intersections, make some minor roadway improvements on Gibson Boulevard
from the Interstate 25/Gibson Boulevard interchange to Louisiana
Boulevard, and close several existing roadway medians. It would also
extend Gibson Boulevard eastward from Louisiana Boulevard to the Juan
Tabo Boulevard/Central Avenue intersection.
The Expressway/Arterial Alternative would upgrade Gibson Boulevard
to a high-capacity, high speed, limited access principal arterial with
full access limited to major intersections approximately one-half mile
apart for its eight mile length.
The Expressway/Arterial Alternative would upgrade Gibson Boulevard
to a high-capacity, high-speed, limited-access principal arterial with
full access limited to major street intersections approximately one-
half mile apart along seven of its eight mile length. For the remaining
one-mile segment, between San Mateo Boulevard and Louisiana Boulevard,
the Arterial Alternative standards would apply.
The Transit/High-Occupancy Vehicle Alternative would upgrade Gibson
Boulevard from Interstate 25 to the Juan Tabo Boulevard/Interstate 40
interchange to a transit/high-occupancy vehicle corridor.
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 an
interest or are known to have an interest in this proposal. A series of
public meetings will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico beginning in
February, 1997. In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public
notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and hearing.
The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and
comment prior to the public hearing. No formal scoping meeting is
planned at this time.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues and impacts identified,
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties.
Comments and questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS
should be directed to FHWA at the address provided above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities supply to this program)
Issued on: February 12, 1997.
Reuben S. Thomas,
Division Administrator, Santa Fe, NM.
[FR Doc. 97-5338 Filed 3-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
