[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 165 (Friday, August 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43569-43570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21367]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford 
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 a 
transportation corridor study followed by an environmental impact 
statement will be prepared for a proposed project in the eastern Peoria 
metropolitan area which included the counties of Peoria, Tazewell and 
Woodford.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Walter Waidelich, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park 
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4622.
Dale E. Risinger, District Engineer, Illinois Department of 
Transportation, 401 Main Street, Peoria, Illinois 61602-1111, Phone: 
(309) 671-3333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois 
Department of Transportation, will prepare a transportation corridor 
study followed by an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 
eastern Peoria metropolitan area. The proposed corridors being studied 
are commonly known as the Eastern Ring Road. The proposed project is a 
study of three corridors approximately 32 km in length which will link 
Illinois Route 6 on the west side of the Illinois River to Interstate 
74 on the east side of the Illinois River. Project limits are generally 
defined by a connection to Illinois Route 6 near Mossville on the 
northwest, and Interstate 74 at the south and eastern limit. 
Communities involved include Mossville, Spring Bay, Germantown Hills, 
Washington, East Peoria, and Morton, Illinois.
    This two year proposed project will study three corridors, select a 
preferred corridor for detailed engineering and environmental analysis, 
select a recommended alignment within the preferred corridor and create 
a final corridor protection map. All potential corridors will be 
studied through extensive data collection, aerial mapping, field 
inspection, and environmental and engineering studies. Use of this 
information will help in creating design and operational criteria, 
drainage and flood plain inventory, an identification of corridor 
impacts, exhibits for the public input, and a corridor protection map. 
A preferred corridor will be recommended and presented at a Public 
Hearing. Alternate alignments will be studied for the preferred 
corridor once it has been identified. Alternates studied will address 
engineering and environmental concerns in order that an alignment can 
be identified which meets the transportation needs of the region and 
minimizes the impacts to the environment. Alignment studies will 
produce one preferred alternate with its location, type of facility, 
preliminary interchange geometrics, engineering and environmental 
impacts identified, preliminary measures to minimize harm, probable 
construction cost estimate and estimated right of way requirements 
identified. A second Public Information Meeting will be held to obtain 
input during the alignment selection process with the final selected 
alignment presented at a Public Hearing. Right of way requirements will 
be established for corridor preservation and a corridor protection map 
will be prepared for the recommended alignment.
    The transportation corridor study will be followed by an 
Environmental Impact Statement. Alternatives to be studied include (1) 
Taking no action; including the development of ancillary facilities to 
enhance mass transit and/or traffic demand management (2) upgrading 
existing facilities and (3) construction on a new alignment as 
identified in the corridor study.
    The scoping process undertaken as part of this proposed project 
will include distribution of a scoping information packet, coordination 
with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and review sessions 
as needed. A formal scoping meeting is not planned. Further details of 
the proposed project and a scoping informational packet may be obtained 
from one of the contact people listed in this notice.


[[Page 43570]]


(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued on: August 12, 1996.
Walter Waidelich,
Engineering Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration, Illinois 
Division, Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 96-21367 Filed 8-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M