[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 35239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16614]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Sullivan County, New York
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 a proposed highway
project in Sullivan County, New York.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Brizzell, Regional Director, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY
13901, Telephone: (607) 721-8116;
or
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,
Telephone: (518)431-4127.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve NYS Route
17 in Sullivan County, New York. The proposed improvement would involve
the construction of a new controlled access freeway in the Town of
Liberty near the hamlet of Parksville for a distance of about 4.6
kilometers. The project objective is to reduce accident potential by
constructing a controlled access freeway, built to interstate
standards, with a full interchange serving the community of Parksville.
Alternatives under consideration include: 1. Do Nothing and 2.
Controlled access freeway, built to interstate standards, with a full
interchange serving the community of Parksville. Three different
alignments, 2A, 2B and 2D, are being considered for further study under
the controlled access freeway alternative. Alternative 2A constructs a
new freeway on an alignment south of the existing NYS Route 17.
Alternative 2B constructs a new freeway generally following the
alignment of existing NYS Route 17. Alternative 2D constructs a new
freeway on a split alignment, i.e. westbound freeway lanes on existing
NYS Route 17 alignment and eastbound freeway lanes on new alignment to
the south. For each of the controlled access freeway alternatives there
are five options for the full interchange serving the community of
Parksville. Option 1, Split interchange: A ``half-diamond'' ramp would
be at each end of the project. The east end of the project would have a
westbound ramp and an eastbound on ramp. The west end of the project
would have a eastbound off ramp and a westbound on ramp. Option 2,
Direct-connector ramps at each end of the project: This option allows
the same vehicle movements as option 1 but without impeded traffic
flows. Option 3, Full interchange (full-diamond) at east end of
project: This option permits all four vehicle movements at one location
in the east end of the project. Option 4, Full interchange (full-
diamond) at west end of project: This option permits all four vehicle
movements at one location in the west end of the project. Option 5,
Full interchange (full-diamond) near the midpoint of the project: This
option permits all four vehicle movements at the location near the
midpoint of the project. Incorporated into and studied with the various
build alternatives will be design variations of grade and alignment.
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed
interest in this proposal. Public informational meetings were held on
June 26, 1998, September 3, 1998 and December 16, 1998 in the Town of
Liberty. After the September meeting a steering committee was formed to
address and resolve community issues that could influence development
of the project. The committee, which consists of 27 members, met on
November 16, 1998 and December 16, 1998. Additional public
informational and steering committee meetings are planned and will
continue as needed. In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public
notice will be given of the time and place of meetings and hearings.
The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and
comment. No formal NEPA 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 identified, comments
and suggestion are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to the NYSDOT or FHWA at the address provided above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.295,
Highway May 21, 1999 Planning and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this
program)
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123.
Issued on: June 21, 1999.
Douglas P. Conlan,
District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 99-16614 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
