[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49521-49522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24101]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Environmental Impact Statement: Santa Fe County, NM

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) for improvements to US 84/US 285.

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[[Page 49522]]

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed 
transportation project in Santa Fe County, New Mexico in accordance 
with 23 CFR 771.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Reuben S. Thomas, Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, 604 W. San Mateo, Santa Fe, NM 87505, Telephone: (505) 
820-2022.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New Mexico 
State Highway and Transportation Department, will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to make improvements 
to US 84/US 285 in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. The segment of US 84/US 
285 under study is the major route connecting the State capital, Santa 
Fe, to destinations in northern New Mexico, including residential, 
recreation, commercial, cultural and historic areas. In the immediate 
area are the cities of Los Alamos, home of Los Alamos National 
Laboratory, and Espanola, the Pueblos of Pojoaque, Tesuque, and Nambe, 
numerous small surrounding communities, such as Tesuque and Cuyamungue, 
Santa Fe Ski Area, Santa Fe National Forest, and Bandelier National 
Monument.
    The study area for the US 84/US 285 project is from Alamo Drive in 
Santa Fe to Viarrial Street in the Pueblo of Pojoaque, a distance of 
22.5 kilometers or 14.0 miles. This portion of the highway traverses 
four political areas and portions of the City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe 
County, Pueblo of Tesuque, and Pueblo of Pojoaque.
    The study corridor is currently a four-lane divided, partly 
suburban and partly rural highway with uncontrolled and unrestricted 
access. Three fundamental problems exist within the project area. These 
are: (1) capacity problems with current traffic projections; (2) a 
significantly higher than normal accident rate and consequential 
congestion associated with these accidents; and, (3) the need to 
replace aging bridge structures and pavement.
    A major investment study scoping meeting was held to comply with 
metropolitan transportation planning regulations. The MIS will: (1) 
evaluate the need for improvements, (2) identify the design concept and 
scope of the needed transportation improvements and (3) evaluate 
potential transportation alternatives that address the need for 
improvement. Alternatives for consideration will include the No-Action 
option and alternatives identified in the major investment study. 
Options include, but are not limited to, access control, traffic 
lights, interchanges, intersection realignment, additional general 
purpose lanes, frontage roads and park and ride lots.
    Informal scoping for the proposal has begun. Comments were 
solicited from appropriate Native American groups, Federal, State and 
local agencies and from private organizations and citizens.
    Additional public information and formal scoping meetings will 
discuss our intention to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
will provide opportunity for public and agency input.
    The draft EIS will be made available for Native American, public 
and agency review and comment. A public hearing will be advertized and 
held during the review period.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues and impacts identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments on questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalogue 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 June 30, 1994.
Reuben S. Thomas,
Division Administrator, Santa Fe, NM.
[FR Doc. 96-24101 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
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