[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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