[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 198 (Friday, October 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25411]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

 

Environmental Impact Statement; City of Healdsburg, CA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 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 a proposed bridge 
replacement project in the City of Healdsburg, Sonoma County, 
California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John R. Schultz, Chief, District Operations-A, Federal Highway 
Administration, California Division, U.S. Bank Plaza, 980 Ninth Street, 
Suite 400, Sacramento, California 95814-2724, Telephone; (916) 551-
1314.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the California 
Department of Transportation and the City of Healdsburg, will prepare a 
draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to replace the 
Healdsburg Avenue Bridge (Bridge No. 20C-65) crossing the Russian 
River. The proposed project would replace an existing two-lane bridge 
with a new bridge that would provide three lanes, including one travel 
lane in each direction and a center dual turning lane, as well as 
bikelanes and sidewalks on either side. The existing bridge is a steel 
truss bridge built in 1921 and has been determined to be eligible for 
the National Register. The project would also involve the 
reconstruction of approach roadway sections and an adjoining 
intersection, involving a total distance of 750 feet along the existing 
Healdsburg Avenue corridor, an arterial street in the City of 
Healdsburg.
    Replacement of the existing bridge is considered necessary because 
it is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. Structural 
deficiencies require the posting of height and load restrictions for 
vehicles using the bridge. The bridge is seismically unsound. A current 
19.5-foot width is substandard relative to present and projected 
traffic load. This width cannot accommodate a turning lane needed for 
improved traffic efficiency at the adjoining intersection on the west 
bank, nor shoulders needed to safely and efficiently allow joint use by 
bicycles and motor vehicles. The existing bridge is also poorly aligned 
resulting in poor sight distance and a safety hazard at the adjoining 
intersection.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
rehabilitating the existing bridge; (3) locating the new bridge on an 
alignment either north or south of the existing bridge, thereby leaving 
the existing bridge as a pedestrian and bicycle crossing; (4) replacing 
the existing bridge with a standard box girder concrete bridge; and (5) 
replacing the existing bridge with a new bridge using a truss design. 
Other alternatives may be considered following the scoping meeting.
    The project will require acquisition of new right-of-way in an 
existing urban areas and will affect commercial and residential 
properties as well as a public park. The project would be funded 
through the Federal Bridge Replacement Program with local agency 
contribution.
    A scoping meeting is scheduled for November 17, 1994 at the City of 
Healdsburg City Hall Council Chambers located at 126 Matheson Street in 
the City of Healdsburg. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss 
the need for the project, alternatives to be considered, and the 
related significant social, economic and environmental issues to be 
addressed and analyzed in the draft EIS.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
action are addressed, and all significant issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments and questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA at the address previously provided in 
this document.

(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.)

G.P. Wong,
Senior Transportation Engineer, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 94-25411 Filed 10-13-94; 8:45 am]
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