[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 27107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12845]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Hennepin and Wright Counties,
Minnesota
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to terminate EIS.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the
current Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for a proposed
highway project on Trunk Highway 12 (TH 12) in Hennepin and Wright
Counties, Minnesota is terminated. The original notice of intent for
this EIS process was published in the Federal Register during May 1992.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Martin, Environmental Engineer,
Federal Highway Administration, Galtier Plaza, Box 75, 175 Fifth Street
East, Suite 500, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2901, Telephone (612) 291-
6120; or Patti Loken, Project Manager, Minnesota Department of
Transportation--Metro Division, 1500 West County Road B2, Roseville,
Minnesota 55113, Telephone (612) 582-1293.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MnDOT), has terminated the EIS process
begun in 1992 to improve TH 12 in Hennepin and Wright Counties. The
original proposed project would have involved the reconstruction of
existing TH 12 from a two-lane, two-way roadway to a four-lane, divided
roadway between TH 25 in Montrose, Wright County to TH 101 in Wayzata,
Hennepin County, a distance of approximately 29 kilometers. The FHWA
and MnDOT are no longer considering a four-lane upgrade because: (1)
There is not sufficent funding available to build a four-lane
alternative; (2) the Metropolitan Council does not support a four-lane
alternative; and (3) the purpose and need for the project can be met by
a build alternative with lesser scope. A modified project is proposed
to upgrade approximately 8 kilometers of TH 12 in Hennepin County from
Wayzata Boulevard in Wayzata to the intersection of County State Aid
Highway 6 in Orono. The proposed project involves the construction of a
new segment of two-lane, limited-assess highway along the north side of
the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad track, two interchanges and
two connections with local roads. Improvements to the corridor are
considered necessary to provide for the existing and projected traffic
demand, enhance safety and improve highway geometrics. An Environmental
Assessment will be completed for the proposed project.
Coordination has been initiated and will continue with appropriate
Federal, State and local agencies and private organizations and
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest
in the proposed action. Public meetings have been held in the past and
will continue to be held, with public notice given for the time and
place of the meetings. To ensure that the full range of issues related
to this proposed action are addressed and all issues identified,
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties.
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the need for
an EIS should be directed to the 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 apply to this program)
Issued on May 8, 1997.
Stanley M. Graczyk,
Project Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-12845 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
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