Jump to main content.

Environmental Impact Statement: Mecklenburg and Union Counties, NC

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: January 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 12)]
[Notices]
[Page 2582-2583]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ja07-105]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement: Mecklenburg and Union Counties, NC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed
project in Mecklenburg and Union Counties, North Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Hoops, Major Projects
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 New Bern Avenue, Suite
410, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1418, Telephone: (919) 856-4350
extension 104.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Title 23, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 771, Environmental Impact and Related Procedures, the
FHWA, in cooperation with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA)
and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), will
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) addressing proposed
improvements in the US 74 corridor from I-485 in Mecklenburg County to
the vicinity of the Town of Marshville, which is east of the City of
Monroe (the County seat) in Union County. The proposed project study
extends from I-485 in the west to the vicinity of the Town of
Marshville in the east and extends north and south of US 74. The proposed
action is included in the long range transportation plan approved by the
Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO).
    This study is a combination of two projects previously analyzed by
NCDOT, the Monroe Bypass (NCDOT Transportation Improvement Program
[TIP] Project R-2559) and the Monroe Connector (NCDOT TIP Project R-
3329). The Monroe Bypass study addressed in the US 74 corridor from
just west of the City of Monroe to just west of the Town of Marshville.
An Environmental Assessment for this project was approved in March
1996, and a Finding

[[Page 2583]]

of No Significant Impact was issued in June 1997. The Monroe Connector
study previously addressed improvements in the US 74 corridor from I-
485 to US 601 in the City of Monroe, where it ended at the proposed
Monroe Bypass. A Draft EIS for this project was approved in November
2003; however, a public hearing was never held. In February 2005, the
NCTA adopted the Monroe Connector as a toll candidate facility, and in
January 2006, the Notice of Intent for the Monroe Connector EIS was
rescinded (Federal Register Vol. 71, No. 19, page 4958). Subsequently,
NCTA adopted the Monroe Bypass project as a toll candidate facility in
October 2006. The Monroe Connector and Monroe Bypass projects have been
combined into a single project and will be evaluated in a single EIS.
    The EIS for the proposed action will consider alternatives for
improvements in the US 74 corridor from I-485 to US 74 in the vicinity
of the Town of Marshville. Alternatives, including a ``No-Build''
Alternative (continuation of the existing condition), improving the
existing US 74 corridor, and constructing a new location facility, will
be considered. Several alternative corridors for a new location
facility will be studied. As part of the EIS, NCTA will study the
feasibility and impacts of developing the proposed project, in whole or
in part, as a toll road.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies. Scoping will
occur over a series of meetings with the agencies and citizens
informational workshops with the public. Information on the dates,
times, and locations of the citizens informational workshops will be
advertised in the local news media and newsletters will be mailed to
those on the project mailing list. If you wish to be placed on the
mailing list, contact Jennifer Harris at the address listed below. The
Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment
prior to the public hearing.
    To ensure the full range of issues related to the proposed action
are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and
suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments and
questions concerning the proposed action should be directed to the FHWA
at the address provided above or directed to: Ms. Jennifer Harris,
Staff Engineer, North Carolina Turnpike Authority, 5400 Glenwood
Avenue, Suite 400, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612. Telephone: (919)
571-3004.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental
consultation of Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)
George Hoops,
Major Projects Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Raleigh, North
Carolina.
[FR Doc. 07-196 Filed 1-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M

 
 

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.