[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 72 (Friday, April 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19108-19109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9189]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Environmental Impact Statement: Wexford, Grand Traverse, and
Kalkaska Counties, Michigan
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 the proposed
improvements of US-131 from north of Manton to north of Kalkaska in
Wexford, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska Counties, Michigan.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Norman Stoner, Program Operations Engineer, FHWA, 315 W. Allegan
Street, Room 207, Lansing, Michigan, 48933, Telephone: (517) 377-1880;
or Mr. Ronald S. Kinney, Manager, Environmental Section, Bureau of
Transportation Planning, Michigan Department of Transportation, P.O.
Box 30050, Lansing, Michigan, 48909, Telephone: (517) 335-2621.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Michigan
Department of Transportation (MDOT), is preparing an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed improvements of US-131 from
north of Manton to north of Kalkaska in Wexford, Grand Traverse, and
Kalkaska Counties, Michigan. The purpose of the improvements is to
complete the freeway system serving the western half of the northern
lower peninsula. The freeway will provide a high speed non-stop
facility which will make the region's markets, resources, and
employment base accessible to more clients and customers. The
completion of this 45 kilometer (28 mile) project is important to other
economic development efforts in this region. Alternatives under
consideration include: (1) No Action, (2) Low Capital Improvements, and
(3) Freeway Alternatives.
The Low Capital Alternative proposes the possibility of passing
relief lanes, intersection and interchange improvements, and other
minor traffic safety modifications.
The Freeway Alternative is a four-lane divided, controlled access
freeway with a median. A number of freeway alignments are being studied
and are described as follows;
Line 1 crosses the Manistee River east of the existing structure,
and continues northeasterly around the communities of Fife Lake, South
Boardman, and Kalkaska. Potential interchange locations for access to
these communities are located at Coster Road, Boardman Road, and M-72.
Line 2 follows the same path as Line 1 from the Manistee River to
the community of South Boardman, where it curves westerly to
interchange with existing US-131 halfway between South Boardman and
Kalkaska. Another potential interchange location is at M-72 northwest
of Kalkaska. This alignment also proposes to extend M-72 across US-131
on the south side of town where an interchange would be located to
serve traffic going into and east of Kalkaska.
Line 3 crosses the Manistee River west of the existing structure.
Interchanges are proposed at M-186, Boardman Road, extended M-72 south
of Kalkaska, and existing M-72 north of Kalkaska. Approximately 14.5
kilometers (nine miles) from the northern limits of Kalkaska, this
alternative merges east to existing US-131. [[Page 19109]]
Line 4 crosses the Mainstee River at the same location as Line 1.
However, from the river it travels northwesterly to cross existing US-
131 halfway between the Manistee River and Fife Lake. It then continues
north across existing M-72, where it traverses a wetland and merges
with existing US-131 about 8 kilometers (five miles) north of Kalkaska.
Line 5 crosses the Manistee River adjacent to the existing
structure and continues northerly before merging with line 3 west of
Kalkaska. Interchanges would be located at M-186, Boardman Road,
extended M-72, and existing M-72.
Line 6 crosses the Manistee River adjacent to the existing
structure. It maximizes the use of the existing right-of-way by staying
as close as possible to existing US-131, which will serve as a local
north-south route. Potential interchanges are located at M-186,
Boardman Road, the proposed extension of M-72, and at M-72, northwest
of Kalkaska. North of the community of South Boardman, this alignment
extends west of existing US-131 and merges with Line 3.
The proposed extension of M-72 from south of the US-131/M-72
intersection westerly to an interchange with the proposed western
freeway alignments could be a two-lane or four-lane cross section, and
will be discussed in the DEIS.
Early coordination with a number of federal, state, and local
agencies has identified the more significant issues to be addressed in
the EIS. A summary of the scoping process to date, identifying the
alternatives being considered and the social, economic, and
environmental issues involved, is being prepared.
The scoping summary will be available to all interested agencies,
organizations, and individuals on request. A public information meeting
was held on November 3, 1994, to provide the public an opportunity to
discuss the proposed action. Additional public information meetings are
anticipated. Comments on the scoping summary and issues identified are
invited from all interested parties. Requests for a copy of the scoping
summary or any comments submitted should be addressed to the above
contact persons.
The Draft EIS is scheduled for completion in 1996, and will be
available for public and agency review.
(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: April 6, 1995.
A. George Ostensen,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 95-9189 Filed 4-13-95; 8:45 am]
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