[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 7040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4073]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Erie County, New York

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, New York State Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The action to be evaluated by this Environmental Impact 
Statement is the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the Peace Bridge 
U.S. Plaza and Connecting Roadways to improve circulation and increase 
capacity for the processing of commercial and passenger vehicles at the 
international border with Canada.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Harold J. Brown, Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, New York Division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th 
Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12207, 
(518) 431-4127; or Robert J. Russell, Regional Director, New York State 
Department of Transportation, Region 5, 125 Main Street, Buffalo, New 
York 14203, (716) 847-3238; or Clifford T. Elwood, Capital Projects 
Manager, Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, Peace Bridge 
Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14213-2494, (716) 884-6752.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 
in cooperation with the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority 
(BFEPBA) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), 
will evaluate various Plaza alternatives which consider building 
placement, vehicle circulation patterns, and improved ingress and 
egress. Each option calls for a major renovation of the 17-acre 
international toll plaza including toll booths, administration 
buildings and primary and secondary inspection operations performed by 
the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service. Alternatives include potential expansion of the existing Plaza 
to accommodate space requirements for primary and secondary vehicle 
inspection, vehicle circulation and processing. Connecting roadway 
alternatives consider improved ingress and egress patterns to the Plaza 
to facilitate improved on-site circulation, closure of Moore and Baird 
Drives within the Historic Front Park, and improved connections between 
I-190, local roadways, and the Peace Bridge Plaza. The environmental, 
socio-economic, and engineering viability implications of each 
alternative will be examined. The no action alternative will also be 
analyzed as a base line for gauging the impacts of the Plaza and 
roadway reconfiguration alternatives.
    Input from federal, State, local governments, local agencies, 
private organizations, and the community will be solicited during the 
development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A public 
scoping meeting and a formal public hearing will be scheduled. Public 
notice will be given to identify the time and place for the meeting and 
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, 
questions, and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
They should be directed to the BFEPBA, NYSDOT or FHWA at the address 
provided above.

    Issued on February 13, 1996.
Stanley Gee,
Assistant Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 96-4073 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]
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