[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 120 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 32569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15280]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Morgan, Cass, Schuyler, and 
McDonough Counties, Illinois

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 (EIS) will be prepared for a project in 
Morgan, Cass, Schuyler, and McDonough Counties, Illinois. The proposed 
project will extend from the northwestern terminus of the proposed 
Jacksonville Bypass, in Morgan County to US Route 136, in McDonough 
County. The proposed project will be designated Federal Air Primary 
Route 310 (FAP Route 310).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Walter C. Waidelich, Jr., Design Operations Engineer, Federal 
Highway Administration, Illinois Division, 3520 Executive Park Drive, 
Springfield, Illinois 62703, Telephone: (217) 492-4622.
Mr. James L. Easterly, district Engineer, Illinois Department of 
Transportation (IDOT), 126 East Ash Street, Springfield, Illinois 
62704, Telephone: (217) 782-7301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement on a proposal to improve US Route 67 with Morgan, Cass, 
Schuyler, and McDonough Counties. The proposed action involves 
upgrading approximately 88.5 km (55 miles) of US Route 67 to a four 
lane, partial access-controlled facility, utilizing both the existing 
alignment and new alignment, depending on the determination of the best 
combination to meet project goals. The proposed project will extend 
from the proposed Jacksonville Bypass in Morgan County on the south to 
US Route 136 near Macomb in McDonough County on the north.
    The need of improving US Route 67 is based on improving access to 
existing/potential development in the region, transportation demands, 
safety considerations, and system continuity for the route. Future 
economic development in the area is tied to improving transportation 
networks to major urban areas. Upgrading US Route 67 from Jacksonville 
to Macomb would provide the opportunity for growth. The proposed action 
would not only connect major urban areas of St. Louis and the Quad 
Cities, but would also tie together the population centers within the 
immediate project area.
    Alternatives under consideration include no action and a new four 
lane, partial access-controlled expressway facility. Several alignment 
alternatives will be evaluated for the proposed project, including 
bypasses of Beardstown, Rushville, and Industry. Additionally, studies 
will evaluate the use of the existing US Route 67 alignment south of 
Beardstown versus alternative alignments in that area. The proposed 
expressway would be grade separated at all active railroad tracks and 
interchanges would be constructed at most marked routes along the way. 
A new Illinois River crossing would also be required in the Beardstown 
vicinity.
    The scoping process for this project will include meetings, review 
sessions as appropriate, and coordination with appropriate Federal, 
State, and local agencies. An initial scoping meeting to discuss the 
project's impacts and determine the extent of additional agency 
involvement will be held on June 22, 1995 beginning at 1 p.m. at the 
Elks Club in Beardstown (205 East 2nd Street). Initial areas of 
environmental concern identified as being potentially impacted by 
project alternatives include conversion of agricultural land, cultural 
resources, wetlands, threatened and endangered species (Federal and 
State), floodplains, and water quality. Further details and a scoping 
information packet may be obtained from one of the contact persons 
listed above.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
project are addressed and all significant issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments or suggestions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA or IDOT contact persons 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 intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Issued on: June 12, 1995.
Walter C. Waidelich, Jr.,
Design Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Illinois 
Division, Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 95-15280 Filed 6-21-95; 8:45 am]
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