Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Loudon,
Anderson, and Knox Counties, TN
[Federal Register: November 4, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 213)]
[Notices]
[Page 67211]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04no05-117]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Loudon,
Anderson, and Knox Counties, TN
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this
notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare a Supplemental
Draft Environmental Impact Statement in cooperation with the Tennessee
Department of Transportation (TDOT) for Route 475 (Knoxville Parkway)
in Loudon, Knox, and Anderson Counties, Tennessee. This project is
intended to improve regional and national transportation needs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Walter Boyd, P.E., Field
Operations Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration--Tennessee
Division Office, 640 Grassmere Park Road, Suite 112, Nashville, TN 37211.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), intends to prepare a
Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Route
475 (Knoxville Parkway).
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) FHWA-EIS-(TN-EIS-01-
02-D) for the project was approved and released for public review in
December 2001. The original DEIS contained analysis of three
alternative alignments, called the Blue, Orange, and Green
Alternatives. Based on the findings of the DEIS and comments provided
by the public, TDOT identified the Orange Alternative as the preferred
alignment to carry forward in the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
The proposed project corridor begins at Interstate 75 (I-75)
approximately 5.8 miles southwest of the I-40/I-75 merge southwest of
Knoxville near Lenoir City. From this location, the corridor extends in
a northeasterly direction to I-75 approximately 3.0 miles northwest of
the I-75/SR-61 interchange, north of Knoxville near the City of Norris.
Since the DEIS was approved, the alternatives development and
screening process for the Route 475 project has continued through the
Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process
(http://www.knoxvilleparkway.com).
The CSS process identified two
new alternatives that follow the general alignment of the original Orange
alternative, but have been shifted at various locations based primarily
on input from the CSS team. Furthermore, the number and type of access
points along the corridor have been modified on these two alternatives.
The purpose of the SDEIS is to develop and study these two new
alternatives.
Letters describing the proposed NEPA study and soliciting input
will be sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies that
have expressed or are known to have an interest or legal role in this
proposal. Private organizations, citizens, and interest groups will
have an opportunity to provide input into the development of the SDEIS
and identify issues that should be addressed. Notices of public
meetings or public hearings will be given through various forums
providing the time and place of the meeting along with other relevant
information. The SDEIS will be available for public and agency review
and comment prior to the public hearings.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action are identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions
are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions
concerning the proposed action and SDEIS should be directed to FHWA at
the address provided above.
Issued on: October 31, 2005.
Walter Boyd,
Field Operations Team Leader, Nashville, Tennessee.
[FR Doc. 05-22008 Filed 11-3-05; 8:45 am]
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