[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 58922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29493]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Vigo County, Indiana

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 proposed 
highway bypass of Terre Haute, Indiana designated SR 641. A Major 
Investment Study (MIS) will be performed in coordination with the EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Douglas N. Head, Program Operations Engineer, Federal Highway 
Administration, 575 N. Pennsylvania Street, Room 254, Indianapolis, 
Indiana 46204, Telephone: (317) 226-7487, Fax: 226-7341.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Indiana 
Department of Transportation will prepare an EIS for the proposed 
bypass of Terre Haute, Indiana designated SR 641 in Vigo County, 
Indiana. This six-mile corridor would connect US 41 south of Terre 
Haute with SR 46 east of Terre Haute at the interchange of SR 46 with 
I-70. Construction of this project is considered necessary to provide a 
bypass to Terre Haute and the extensive traffic congestion on US 41 in 
southern Terre Haute.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
applying low-cost Transportation System Management (TSM) techniques, 
(3) making more extensive and expensive improvements to improve traffic 
flow on I-70 and US 41, (4) modifying the interchange of US 41 with I-
70, and (5) constructing a four-lane divided roadway on new alignment. 
TSM techniques include changes in signalization, minor lane additions 
and geometric improvements, and other relatively low cost changes that 
facilitate the flow of traffic. TSM techniques emphasize maximum use of 
existing facilities. More extensive capital improvements can also be 
made that expand roadway capacity, such as adding lanes to change the 
typical section of a road, eliminating driveway entrances by use of 
frontage roads, bringing shoulder widths up to current standards and 
similar measures.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have expressed interest in this 
proposal. No additional formal scoping is planned. Informational public 
meetings were held July 13, 1993 and May 4, 1995. A public hearing will 
be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the 
hearing. The Draft EIS will be made available for public and agency 
review and comment.
    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 the FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.205, Highway 
Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding inter-governmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued on: October 31, 1996.
Douglas N. Head,
Program Operations Engineer, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[FR Doc. 96-29493 Filed 11-18-96; 8:45 am]
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