[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 250 (Friday, December 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-32199]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 30, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

 

Environmental Impact Statement: Amador County, 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 highway 
project in Amador County, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis A. Scovill, Chief, District Operations, Federal Highway 
Administration, 980 9th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814-2724, 
Telephone: (916) 498-5034.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the California 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve State Route (SR) 49 in Amador 
County, California. The proposed project would provide a bypass of the 
existing SR 49 between Martell on the south near the junction with SR 
88, and SR 16 on the north, a distance of 11.6 km.
    Improvements in this area are considered necessary to alleviate 
major deficiencies of the existing narrow roadbed, short-radius curves, 
inadequate sight distances and excessively steep grades; and the 
necessity for interregional traffic to traverse the narrow congested 
city streets of Sutter Creek, Amador City and Drytown. Alternatives 
under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) constructing a 
two or four-lane, limited access highway on an alignment which 
partially utilizes the existing alignment; and (3) constructing a two 
or four-lane, limited access highway on an alignment which bypasses the 
existing route to the west. Travel demand on SR 49 is expected to 
double by the design year 2020, resulting in severe congestion and 
unacceptable levels of service.
    The proposed project has the potential of affecting a number of 
known historic resources, including one or more eligible for the 
National Register of Historic Places.
    Construction is expected to occur in several stages, with some 
portions of the route being built before others. Initial construction 
of all stages will be for two lanes with passing lanes provided where 
needed. However, Caltrans will initially purchase adequate right of way 
for the eventual four lane project.
    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 or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. A public meeting will be held 
in January, 1995, for scoping purposes. Additional informal meetings 
are expected to be held with appropriate groups who express further 
interest in the project. A public hearing will be held. Public notice 
will be given of the time and place of all formal meetings and 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 at the address 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: December 22, 1994.
Dennis A. Scovill,
Chief, District Operations, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 94-32199 Filed 12-29-94; 8:45 am]
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