[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16871]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

 

Environmental Impact Statement: I-66 Access Study, Haymarket, 
Prince William County, VA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. 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 will be prepared for proposed highway 
improvements on Interstate Route 66 in Prince William County, Virginia. 
These improvements will provide access to transportation facilities and 
related development in the area including the proposed Disney 
development. The pending FHWA action is a decision on a VDOT proposal 
for (1) a new interchange access to I-66 west of the existing I-66/
Route 15 interchange, (2) modifications to the existing I-66/Route 15 
interchange and (3) modifications to the existing I-66/Route 29 
Interchange. There are no federal funds involved in the proposed 
transportation improvements at these sites.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert E. Gatz, Director, Office of Planning and Program Development, 
Region 3, Federal Highway Administration, Suite 4000, 10 S. Howard 
Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Telephone: (410) 962-3742 or Earl 
Robb, Virginia Department of Transportation, 1401 East Broad Street, 
Richmond, Virginia 23219: Telephone (804) 786-4559.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, participating with the Virginia 
Department of Transportation (VDOT), will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on the federal actions which include 
modifications to the existing I-66/Route 15 interchange, modifications 
to the existing I-66/Route 29 interchange and a new access point to I-
66 west of Route 15 interchange. In addition, the EIS will include a 
discussion of: (1) The widening of I-66 from Route 234 to approximately 
2 miles west of the existing interchange with Route 15, a distance of 
approximately 8.5 miles (the proposed improvements are considered 
necessary to improve traffic flow along the I-66 corridor, accommodate 
current and projected traffic demands, to serve existing and future 
access needs in the region and to improve transportation safety); (2) 
the widening of Route 15 and (3) the relocation of portions of Routes 
55 and 681 near the I-66 interchange.
    Alternatives under consideration include, but are not limited to: 
(1) Taking no action (no build); (2) Transportation System Management 
Activities (improving present systems); (3) transit options; (4) 
upgrading existing roadways and build alternatives based on variations 
of typical section, grade and alignment and (5) combinations of 
alternatives.
    The subject areas to be studied in the EIS process will include, 
but are not limited to: traffic and transportation service, air 
quality, noise, surface and groundwater resources, soils and geology, 
wetlands, vegetation and wildlife, farmlands, visual, community 
impacts, historic sites and structures and archaeological resources, 
parks, wildlife refuges and recreational areas, construction impacts, 
secondary impacts of the proposed transportation project and cumulative 
impacts.
    Information describing the proposed action and study will be 
provided to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are 
known to have an interest in this project to solicit their comments. An 
extensive public and interagency involvement process will be maintained 
throughout the EIS process. Public meetings will be held at a number of 
locations. In addition, a formal public hearing will also be held after 
the issuance of the draft EIS. The draft EIS will be available for 
public and agency review and comment prior to the formal public 
hearing. Public notice will be given of the time and place of these 
meetings and of the hearing. A decision has been made to conduct 
scoping for this project and following publication of this Notice of 
Intent, the FHWA and VDOT will begin the scoping process in accordance 
with 40 CFR 1501.7. Times and locations of the scoping meetings have 
not yet been set. 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 to the VDOT at the addresses 
provided above.

(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.)

    Issued on: July 5, 1994.
Robert E. Gatz,
Director, Office of Planning and Program Development, Region Three, 
FHWA, Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. 94-16871 Filed 7-12-94; 8:45 am]
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