[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31229]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

 

Environmental Impact Statement: Putnam County, NY

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 highway 
project in the Town of Southeast, Putnam County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Harold J. Brown, Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, New York Division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th 
Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, New York, 12207, 
Telephone (518) 472-3616, or A.J. Bauman, Regional Director, New York 
State Department of Transportation, Region 8, 4 Burnett Boulevard, 
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, Telephone (914) 431-5750.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA and the New York State Department 
of Transportation (NYSDOT), in cooperation with the Town of Southeast, 
with input from the County of Putnam, will be preparing an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve New York 
State Route 22. The proposed improvement will involve the 
reconstruction of the existing route from the northern terminus of 
Interstate 684 to Putnam County Route 65, Putnam Lake Road, a distance 
of 2.9 miles. Also under consideration in this proposal is construction 
of a grade separated interchange at Putnam County Route 54, Milltown 
Road.

    The project proposes to improve traffic operation and safety on the 
existing route. The proposed action is consistent with the NYSDOT 
transportation improvement program for the Route 22 corridor, between 
Interstate Route 684 and Route 55, which has been studied by the FHWA 
and NYSDOT since 1980. In 1990, the Route 22 Corridor Development 
Study--Final Project Development Report was completed. the Corridor 
Development Study identified existing traffic operation and safety 
problems, projected significant future increases in traffic demand, 
identified needed highway improvements and recommended in 
implementation plan. Improvement of Route 22 between Interstate Route 
684 and County Route 65, Putnam Lake Road, was recommended, as were 
other improvements within the corridor.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action, (2) 
expanding the existing two-lane highway to four lanes with a flush 
median and improved intersections; (3) expanding the existing two-lane 
highway to four lanes divided by a median barrier and with turning 
lanes at intersections; and (4) congestion management system 
strategies. Variations to horizonal and vertical alignment and the 
possible provision of an interchange at Milltown Road will also be 
studied with the various build alternatives.
    Based on studies done to date, issues that need to be analyzed in 
depth include the impacts on noise, air and water quality, cultural 
resources, floodplains, and adjacent right of way. The project's effect 
on features such as Bog Brook Reservoir and East Branch will also be 
addressed.
    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 this proposal. If necessary, a scoping meeting will be held 
with involved Federal, State and local agencies. A public information 
meeting will be held after additional study. The EIS will be made 
available for agency and public review and comment, after which a 
public hearing will be held.
    To ensure that 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 or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the FHWA or NYSDOT 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.)
Harold J. Brown,
Division Administrator, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 94-31229 Filed 12-19-94; 8:45 am]
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