Environmental Impact Statement: Polk County, IA
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: May 5, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 87)]
[Notices]
[Page 26600-26601]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05my06-148]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Polk County, IA
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT, Polk County.
SUMMARY: The FHWA and Iowa DOT are issuing this notice to advise the
public an EIS will be prepared for a proposed roadway project in Polk
County, Iowa. The planned EIS will evaluate potential transportation
improvement alternatives for serving northeast Des Moines and its
neighboring communities between I-80/US65 west of Altoona to US69/NE
126 Avenue north of Ankeny.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael La Pietra, Environment and
Realty Manager, FHWA Iowa Division Office, 105 Sixth Street, Ames, IA
50010, Phone 515-233-7302; or James P. Rost, Director, Office of
Location and Environment, Iowa Department of Transportation, 800
Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010, Phone 515-239-1798.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Background
The FHWA, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Transportation
and Polk County will prepare an EIS for the proposed Northeast Beltway
study. The proposed project would include roadway improvements to
provide a high-speed connection from I-80 near Altoona to U.S. 69 north
of Ankeny.
The purpose of the Northeast Polk County Beltway is to prepare for
increased travel demand in and around Ankeny and its neighboring
communities. Traffic congestion on I-35 between Des Moines and Ankeny
would be alleviated, and traffic would be
[[Page 26601]]
reduced on the Northeast systems interchange (35/80/235).
Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2)
widening existing roadways; and, (3) constructing a roadway on a new
location. The build alternative will include consideration of various
alignments and grades.
Letters 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 2006 and 2007. In addition, a public hearing will be
held upon completion of the draft EIS. Public notice will be given of
the time and place of the public meetings and public hearing. The draft
EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to
the public hearing.
A scoping meeting (the initial public meeting) will be held
identifying significant issues to be addressed in the environmental
impact statement. The date and location of the scoping meeting have not
yet been determined but will be advertised in various local media.
To ensure that 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 the FHWA or Iowa Department of Transportation at
the address 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).
Dated: April 28, 2006.
Philip E. Barnes,
Division Administrator FHWA, Iowa Division.
[FR Doc. E6-6802 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]
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