Environmental Impact Statement: Dane County, Wisconsin
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: August 21, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 162)]
[Notices]
[Page 43952-43953]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21au01-154]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Dane County, Wisconsin
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
[[Page 43953]]
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed
improvements of the Madison West Beltline (USH 12/14) between USH 14 in
Middleton &Todd Drive in Madison; and Verona Road (USH 18/151) between
CTH PD & USH 12/14 in Madison; Dane County, Wisconsin
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Johnny M. Gerbitz, Field
Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 567 D'Onofrio
Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53719-2814; telephone: (608) 829-7511. You
may also contact Ms. Carol Cutshall, Director, Bureau of Environment,
Wisconsin Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 7965, Madison,
Wisconsin 53707-7965; telephone: (608) 266-9626.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the
Government Printing Offices' Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202)
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of Federal Register home
page at: http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing
Offices' database at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
Background
The FHWA, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to
improve the West Madison Beltline--USH 12/14 between USH 14 and Todd
Drive, a distance of 8.28 miles; and Verona Road--USH 18/151 between
CTH PD and USH 12/14, a distance of 1.81 miles.
The anticipated format for the EIS will be Screening Worksheets
rather than the typical narrative form. The Wisconsin Department of
Transportation has developed a series of Environmental Screening
Worksheets which are divided into Basic Sheets and Factor Sheets. The
Screening Worksheets provide a flexible means of addressing the
requirements for an Environmental Document.
The improvements to these two highways are considered necessary to
provide capacity for existing and projected traffic demand, to reduce
high crash rates, and provide better connectivity between land areas
adjacent to the highways.
Planning, environmental, and engineering studies are underway to
develop transportation alternatives. The EIS will assess the need,
location, and environmental impacts of alternatives within the study
area. These alternatives include:
(1) No Build--this alternative assumes the continued use of
existing facilities with the maintenance necessary to ensure their use;
(2) Upgrade the Existing Facilities--this alternative would improve
traffic handling capabilities and safety by reconstructing the roadway
and interchanges. This may include the reconfiguration of one or more
interchanges;
(3) Beltline Crossovers--this alternative would complement the
other two alternatives to provide additional Beltline crossings for
vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. All alternatives will examine
improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Information 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, or
are known to have interest in this proposal. A series of public
meetings will be held in the project corridor throughout the data
gathering and development of alternatives. In addition, a public
hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place
of the meetings and hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public
and agency review and comment prior to the hearing. As part of the
scoping process, coordination activities have begun. Scoping meetings
will continue to be held on an individual or group meeting basis.
Agency coordination will be accomplished during these meetings.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action are addressed, and all substantive 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 or the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation at the addresses provided in the caption FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT. (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 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: August 14, 2001.
Johnny M. Gerbitz,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Madison,
Wisconsin.
[FR Doc. 01-20931 Filed 8-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif)