[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 120 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 32569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15280]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Morgan, Cass, Schuyler, and
McDonough Counties, Illinois
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 (EIS) will be prepared for a project in
Morgan, Cass, Schuyler, and McDonough Counties, Illinois. The proposed
project will extend from the northwestern terminus of the proposed
Jacksonville Bypass, in Morgan County to US Route 136, in McDonough
County. The proposed project will be designated Federal Air Primary
Route 310 (FAP Route 310).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Walter C. Waidelich, Jr., Design Operations Engineer, Federal
Highway Administration, Illinois Division, 3520 Executive Park Drive,
Springfield, Illinois 62703, Telephone: (217) 492-4622.
Mr. James L. Easterly, district Engineer, Illinois Department of
Transportation (IDOT), 126 East Ash Street, Springfield, Illinois
62704, Telephone: (217) 782-7301.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement on a proposal to improve US Route 67 with Morgan, Cass,
Schuyler, and McDonough Counties. The proposed action involves
upgrading approximately 88.5 km (55 miles) of US Route 67 to a four
lane, partial access-controlled facility, utilizing both the existing
alignment and new alignment, depending on the determination of the best
combination to meet project goals. The proposed project will extend
from the proposed Jacksonville Bypass in Morgan County on the south to
US Route 136 near Macomb in McDonough County on the north.
The need of improving US Route 67 is based on improving access to
existing/potential development in the region, transportation demands,
safety considerations, and system continuity for the route. Future
economic development in the area is tied to improving transportation
networks to major urban areas. Upgrading US Route 67 from Jacksonville
to Macomb would provide the opportunity for growth. The proposed action
would not only connect major urban areas of St. Louis and the Quad
Cities, but would also tie together the population centers within the
immediate project area.
Alternatives under consideration include no action and a new four
lane, partial access-controlled expressway facility. Several alignment
alternatives will be evaluated for the proposed project, including
bypasses of Beardstown, Rushville, and Industry. Additionally, studies
will evaluate the use of the existing US Route 67 alignment south of
Beardstown versus alternative alignments in that area. The proposed
expressway would be grade separated at all active railroad tracks and
interchanges would be constructed at most marked routes along the way.
A new Illinois River crossing would also be required in the Beardstown
vicinity.
The scoping process for this project will include meetings, review
sessions as appropriate, and coordination with appropriate Federal,
State, and local agencies. An initial scoping meeting to discuss the
project's impacts and determine the extent of additional agency
involvement will be held on June 22, 1995 beginning at 1 p.m. at the
Elks Club in Beardstown (205 East 2nd Street). Initial areas of
environmental concern identified as being potentially impacted by
project alternatives include conversion of agricultural land, cultural
resources, wetlands, threatened and endangered species (Federal and
State), floodplains, and water quality. Further details and a scoping
information packet may be obtained from one of the contact persons
listed above.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed
project are addressed and all significant issues are identified,
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties.
Comments or suggestions concerning this proposed action and the EIS
should be directed to the FHWA or IDOT contact persons 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 intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)
Issued on: June 12, 1995.
Walter C. Waidelich, Jr.,
Design Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Illinois
Division, Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 95-15280 Filed 6-21-95; 8:45 am]
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