[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 98 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12487]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 23, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Washington, Kent, and Providence
Counties, RI
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 the proposed
construction of a third track for freight rail service between Central
Falls and North Kingston, Rhode Island.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gordon G. Hoxie, Division Administrator, Federal Highway
Administration, 380 Westminster Mall, room 547, Providence, Rhode
Island, Telephone: (401) 528-4541, or Thomas J. Queenan, Project
Manager, Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Two Capitol Hill--
room 372, Providence, RI 02903, telephone: (401) 277-2694.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Rhode
Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), will prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve freight
rail service along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Central Falls
and North Kingston, Rhode Island. The proposed improvement would
involve the construction of a new third track parallel to the NEC
mainline along the entire corridor for a distance of about 35
kilometers (22 miles).
Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to alleviate
impacts to freight rail service resulting from the proposed Amtrak
Northeast Corridor electrification project. Construction of
electrification facilities and associated changes in intercity
passenger operations are expected to reduce vertical and horizontal
clearances at overhead bridges along the corridor, limit daytime
freight movements to existing levels, and restrict additional freight
movements to nighttime hours. Alternatives under consideration include
(1) Taking no action; (2) construction of a continuous third track
parallel to the NEC mainline including ancillary modifications to
overhead bridge structures; and (3) other reasonable alternatives
identified during the scoping process.
Public scoping meeting(s) will be held in Cranston, RI between June
and July 1994. 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 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
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental
consultation of Federal programs and other activities apply to this
program)
Issued on: May 17, 1994.
Gordon G. Hoxie,
Division Administrator, Providence, Rhode Island.
[FR Doc. 94-12487 Filed 5-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
