[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26618]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

 

Environmental Impact Statement; Smith County, TX

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 (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
new location highway project in Smith County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John R. Mack, P.E., Acting District 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Room 826, Federal Building, 
300 East 8th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Rodolfo J. Rivera, P.E., 
Director of Transportation Planning and Development, Texas Department 
of Transportation, P.O. Box 2031, Tyler, Texas 75710.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct the southern section 
of Loop 49, an approximately 40 mile circumferential controlled access 
highway around the urbanized area of Tyler in Smith County, Texas. The 
southern section of the proposed Loop 49 extends from State Highway 155 
to State Highway 110 in southern Smith County. The length of the 
project varies, depending on the selected alternative, from 
approximately 15.3 kilometers (9.5 miles) to 18.5 kilometers (11.5 
miles). The proposed action is intended to provide access and increased 
mobility to the southern Tyler/Smith County area; to alleviate traffic 
congestion on existing roadways in urbanized Smith County; and to 
provide a safer, more convenient route for traffic travelling through 
the Tyler area.
    Alternatives to the proposed action to be discussed in the EIS 
consist of (1) taking no action; and (2) improving existing roadways in 
the urbanized areas of Smith County. The build alternatives include 
three alternative alignments along new location rights-of-way 
connecting State Highway 155 to State Highway 110.
    Impacts caused by the construction and operation of Loop 49 will 
vary according to the alternative alignments utilized. Generally, 
impacts would include the following: transportation impacts 
(construction detours, construction traffic, and mobility improvement), 
air and noise impacts from construction equipment and operation of the 
roadway, water impacts from construction area and roadway stormwater 
runoff, impacts to waters of the United States including wetlands from 
right-of-way encroachment, and impacts to residents and businesses 
based on potential relocations.
    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 
interest in the proposal. A Major Investment Study has been completed 
in compliance with the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency 
Act. In addition, several meetings have been held by the Loop 49 
Steering Committee, composed of representatives of local governments, 
agencies, and interested organizations and citizens. A public meeting 
was held on October 13, 1994, at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, 
Texas, at which public comments on the proposed action and alternatives 
were requested. In addition, a public hearing will be held after 
publication of the Draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time 
and place of the hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues 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 TxDOT at the addresses provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program).

    Issued on: October 20, 1994.
John R. Mack,
Acting District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 94-26618 Filed 10-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M