07-4127. Environmental Impact Statement: New London County, CT

AGENCY:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Notice of intent.

SUMMARY:

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for proposed transportation improvements to 12.3 miles (21 km) of Interstate 95 (I-95) in New London County, Connecticut.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bradley D. Keazer, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 628-2 Hebron Avenue, Suite 303, Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033, telephone [phone], ext. 3009; or Edgar T. Hurle, Transportation Planning Director, Bureau of Policy and Planning, Connecticut Department of Transportation, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546, telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The FHWA, in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal for transportation improvements to I-95 between interchanges 70 and 84 in the towns of Old Lyme, East Lyme, Waterford and New London, Connecticut for a distance of approximately 12.3 miles (21 km).

Improvements to the I-95 corridor are considered necessary to improve safety and to provide for increases in projected traffic volumes. Alternatives under consideration include, but are not limited to: (1) Taking no action; and (2) addition of a third travel lane in each direction. The EIS will use data and findings from two major deficiency and needs studies entitled “Southeastern Connecticut Corridor Study” dated January 1999 and “I-95 Corridor Feasibility Study, Branford to Rhode Island” dated December 2004. Copies of these studies are available from ConnDOT's Office of Environmental Planning at the address shown above.

Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and elected officials, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest in this proposal. Public scoping meetings, public hearings and public informational meetings will be held. Public notice will be given of the date, time and place of these meetings and hearings. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearings. An Internet Web site will be established to provide information on the project which may be accessed at http://www.et.gov/​dotinfo/​.

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 either the FHWA or ConnDOT at the addresses 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.)

Authority: 23 CFR 771

Dated: Issued on August 15, 2007.

Bradley D. Keazer,

Division Administrator, Hartford, Connecticut.