[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 230 (Thursday, December 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29599]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 

Environmental Impact Statement: Bellevue, King County, WA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to 
advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be 
prepared for a proposed modification to a freeway interchange in King 
County, Washington. The modification will include a realignment of the 
NE 8th St./I-405 interchange and implementation of a one-way couplet 
along NE 8th and NE 10th Streets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Harry R. Bennetts, Federal Highway Administration, Evergreen Plaza 
Building, 711 South Capital Way, Suite 501, Olympia, Washington 98501, 
Telephone: (206) 753-9554; Dennis C. Jackson, State Design Engineer, 
Washington State Department of Transportation, Transportation Building, 
Olympia, Washington 98504, Telephone (206) 705-7231; Ronald Q. 
Anderson, Region Administrator, Washington State Department of 
Transportation, Northwest Region, 15700 Dayton Avenue North Seattle, 
Washington 98133-9710, Telephone: (206) 440-4691; or Hank Howard, City 
of Bellevue Transportation Department, P.O. Box 90012, Bellevue, 
Washington 98009-9012, Telephone: (206) 455-6867.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Washington 
State Department of Transportation and the City of Bellevue, 
Washington, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a 
proposal to modify the I-405 interchange at NE 8th Street and to modify 
the geometric or operational characteristics of NE 8th and NE 10th 
Streets from I-405 to Bellevue Way. The proposed improvements are 
considered necessary to relieve existing traffic congestion at the I-
405/NE-8th-Street Interchange, to support improved high-occupancy-
vehicle (HOV) access and usage, and to accommodate the existing and 
projected traffic demand between the Bellevue Central Business District 
(CBD) and I-405.
    One build alternative and the no-action alternative are at present 
under consideration. The build alternative would modify the interchange 
to provide I-405 access to and from NE 10th Street and to modify I-405 
access to and from NE 8th Street. It would also convert NE 8th and NE 
10th Streets from I-405 to Bellevue Way to a one-way couplet system 
(both streets have two-way traffic at present). NE 10th Street would 
provide westbound access to the CBD and NE 8th Street would operate in 
the opposite direction. This alternative would include new ramps 
connecting NE 10th Street with I-405 and modifications to the existing 
ramps connecting NE 8th Street to I-405. Signing, striping and signal 
modifications would be implemented on NE 8th and NE 10th Streets to 
facilitate one-way street operations. Incorporated into and studied 
with the build alternative will be design variations of ramps and 
intersections. Most of the proposed improvements along NE 8th and 10th 
Streets away from the interchange would take place within the existing 
right-of-way. Although no significant environmental impacts have been 
identified to date, City of Bellevue officials believe that there is 
potential for significant impacts related to land use and development 
and to visual quality.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies, affected 
tribes, and private organizations and citizens who have previously 
expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. An open house 
(public meeting) was held in March 1994 to get preliminary public 
input. An open house and public hearing will be held to receive 
comments on the draft EIS after it is approved for circulation. The 
draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to the public hearing. Public notice will be given of the time 
and place of the open house and hearing and the availability of the 
draft EIS.
    To assure 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, or requests to 
be added to the mailing list should be directed to the FHWA at the 
address 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: November 22, 1994.
Jose. M. Miranda,
Environmental Program Manager, Olympia, Washington.
[FR Doc. 94-29599 Filed 11-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M