[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36872-36873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17561]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Sebastian, Crawford, Scott,
Logan, Polk, Howard and Sevier Counties, AR
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHA), 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 the Arkansas Counties of Sebastian, Crawford, Scott, Logan,
Polk, Howard and Sevier.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Wendall L. Meyer, Environmental and
Design Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, 3128 Federal Office
Building, Little Rock, AR 72201-3298, telephone: (501) 324-6430; or
Reid Beckel, Consultant Coordinator, Roadway Design, Arkansas State
Highway and Transportation Department, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR
72203, telephone: (501) 569-2163.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Arkansas
State Highway and Transportation Department, will prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct a four-
lane, divided, fully controlled access highway facility located on new
alignment. Several alternatives and locations will be considered,
including various types of improvements and combinations of
improvements to the existing facility. The ``no-action'' alternative
will also be considered, in which roads are constructed in accordance
with the Statewide Transportation Improvement plan, with the exception
of the proposed facility. The approximate length of the project is 206
kilometers (128 miles).
This Environmental Impact Statement will also include a Major
Investment Study within the metropolitan area of Fort Smith, AR, as
required by the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 23, Part 450.
The proposed improvements would improve the safety and capacity of
the existing route and increase regional mobility along a proposed
ultimate
[[Page 36873]]
route extending from Kansas City, MO to Shreveport, LA. This project is
one of several projects identified as ``high priority corridors'' on
the National Highway System that would provide a transportation
corridor of national significance from Kansas City to Shreveport. The
proposed improvements will draw new traffic through western Arkansas
and serve as both a short-term and long-term economic stimulus,
promoting development in this currently rural area.
The northern terminus of the proposed improvements will connect to
Interstate 40 near Fort Smith, AR. The southern terminus will connect
with the proposed improvements of U.S. 71 near DeQueen, AR, for which
an EIS is currently being prepared.
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 or are
known to have an interest in this project. A series of public meetings
will be held within the study area beginning in the summer of 1995,
with on-going public involvement activities. Scoping meetings with
local officials and State and Federal resource agencies will also be
held during the summer of 1995. The draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) will be available for public and agency review and
comment prior to a public hearing. Public notice will be given of the
time and place for all meetings and hearings.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
project 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 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: July 12, 1995.
Wendall L. Meyer,
Environmental and Design Specialist, FHWA, Little Rock, AR.
[FR Doc. 95-17561 Filed 7-17-95; 8:45 am]
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