[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 125 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 33904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15920]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Saline County, IL

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice of intent to advise the public 
that an environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a 
proposed action in Saline County, Illinois. The proposed action 
considers the replacement or reconstruction of U.S. Route 45 between 
Harrisburg and Eldorado and the possible construction of a bypass of 
the City of Harrisburg. The potential bypass would connect Illinois 
Route 13 to U.S. Route 45 east of the city. The study area for the 
project begins at a point on new Illinois Route 13 west of Harrisburg 
and extends northeasterly to the intersection of U.S. Route 45 with 
Illinois Route 142 in Eldorado. The estimated length of the proposed 
project is 13.8 kilometers (8.6 miles).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Walter C. Waidelich, Jr., Design 
Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive 
Park Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Telephone: (217) 492-1622; Mr. 
Karl Bartelsmeyer, District Engineer, Illinois Department of 
Transportation, District 9, Old Route 13 West. P.O. Box 100, 
Carbondale, Illinois 62903-0100, Telephone: (618) 549-2171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Existing U.S. Route 45 is a north/south 
route that runs along the eastern edge of Harrisburg. Existing Illinois 
Route 13 runs through the center of Harrisburg, intersecting with U.S. 
Route 45 on the east edge of the city. The proposed action would 
replace or reconstruct U.S. Route 45 between Harrisburg and Eldorado 
and possibly construct a four lane bypass of the City of Harrisburg. 
The potential bypass would begin at a point on new Illinois Route 13 
west of Harrisburg and intersect with U.S. Route 45 east of the city. 
The estimated length of the proposed project is 13.8 kilometers (8.6 
miles), and would be designed as a rural, four-lane expressway with two 
7.6 meter (24 feet) wide pavement separated by a 15 meter (50 feet) 
wide median. The proposed roadway would be partially access controlled. 
No direct commercial access would be allowed.
    From Harrisburg to Eldorado, existing U.S. Route 45 experiences 
congestion, with the amount of traffic meeting the warrants for 
consideration of a four-land highway. Within Harrisburg, Illinois Route 
13 also experiences congestion, especially at the existing intersection 
with U.S. Route 45 in town. Upgrading U.S. Route 45 from Harrisburg to 
Eldorado and upgrading Illinois Route 13 from west of Harrisburg to 
U.S. Route 45 or constructing a bypass of Harrisburg would provide 
continuity of the regional highway system; relieve congestion between 
the two cities and at critical locations within Harrisburg; improve 
safety; and provide increased opportunities for development through 
better access to this economically depressed area of southeastern 
Illinois. Alternatives to be considered include a no action 
alternative, reconstruction of the existing facility, construction of a 
new facility on new alignment, and construction of a bypass of 
Harrisburg.
    The scoping process undertaken as part of this project will include 
distribution of a scoping information packet; coordination with 
federal, state and local agencies; and review sessions as appropriate. 
A formal scoping meeting will not be held. 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 
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 FHWA or IDOT 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.)
Walter C. Waidelich, Jr.,
Design Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Illinois 
Division, Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 95-15920 Filed 6-28-95; 8:45 am]
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