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Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Dubois County, Indiana

 [Federal Register: June 2, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 107)]
[Notices]
[Page 35416]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jn00-118]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Dubois County, Indiana

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 proposed
highway project in Dubois County, Indiana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Dirks, Environmental
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, Room 254, Federal Office
Building, 575 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204,
Telephone (317) 226-7492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Indiana
Department of Transportation (INDOT), will prepare an EIS for a
proposed project to improve the transportation system in the U.S. 231
corridor between Interstate 64 and State Road 56 in Dubois County,
Indiana. The proposed project will involve the study of potential
bypasses around Huntingburg and Jasper.
    The proposed EIS and accompanying engineering analysis are the
result of INDOT's identification of U.S. 231 in southwest Indiana for
improvements as part of the current and ongoing transportation program.
Given the current and projected traffic volumes and the existing
geometric deficiencies, improvements to U.S. 231 are considered
necessary to provide for a safe, efficient, and economical
transportation network that will meet traffic demands in the area. The
proposed improvements are also intended to be environmentally sound.
System improvements will be examined based on the purposes of
addressing roadway deficiencies, improving safety, reducing congestion,
and enhancing system linkage.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action, (2)
transportation system management, (3) upgrading and improving existing
roadways, and (4) construction of two additional lanes adjacent to the
existing two-lane roadway with bypasses of Huntingburg and Jasper on
new alignment. Design variations of grade and alignment will be
incorporated into and studied for the various build alternatives.
    A scoping process has been initiated that involves all appropriate
federal, state, and local agencies, and private organizations and
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in
this project. Several public meetings were held during the location
study for the proposed project to engage the regional community in the
decision making process and to obtain public comment. A resource agency
scoping meeting will be held in Indianapolis when appropriate. Letters
describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to
all appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, and private
organizations and citizens who have expressed or are known to have
interest in this project. A public meeting will be held in Jasper when
appropriate. In addition, public hearings will be held to present the
findings of the draft EIS (DEIS) and engineering analysis. Public
notice will be given of the time and place of informational meetings
and public hearing. The DEIS will be available for public and agency
review and comment prior to the public hearings.
    To ensure the full range of issues related to this proposed action
are addressed and all significant issues are 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 No. 20.205, Highway
Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive
Order 12373 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal
programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: May 22, 2000.
Robert Dirks,
Environmental Specialist, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[FR Doc. 00-13870 Filed 6-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M

 
 

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