[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60139-60140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30192]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Kings County, NY

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), New York State 
Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed bridge/
highway project in Kings County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard A. Maitino, Regional Director, New York State Department of 
Transportation, 47-40 21st Street--8th Floor, Executive Office, Hunters 
Point Plaza, Long Island City, New York 11101, Telephone (718) 482-
4526; or Harold 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, 
Telephone: (518) 431-4141.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York 
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to rehabilitate/
reconstruct or replace the Gowanus Expressway (I-278) Viaduct in Kings 
County, New York.
    The proposed project is necessary to preserve the transportation 
services provided by the Gowanus Expressway that are currently in 
jeopardy due to its accelerating deterioration. The condition of this 
structure (viaduct deck and structural steel) is continuously monitored 
and the structure is frequently repaired. The continuous extensive 
repair work causes traffic diversions and increasing uncertainty over 
the remaining life of this structure. This, plus the fact that it may 
take several years to rehabilitate or replace the existing structure, 
requires that a fiscally viable solution be implemented quickly and 
cost effectively.
    Three ways to achieve this goal include rehabilitating, 
reconstructing, or replacing the existing expressway. Reconstruction or 
rehabilitation actions will not only seek to rebuild or preserve the 
existing facility, but will also include, as practicable, changes to 
address the structural, operational and safety deficiencies of the 
existing facility. Replacement actions are of a significantly large 
scope, but still must be designed so as to provide: (1) Equivalent 
people and goods moving services to those currently provided by the 
Gowanus Expressway; (2) continuity with the adjacent portions of the 
interstate (I-278), and (3) avoidance of community impacts due to an 
emergency closure of the existing facility.
    The Metropolitan Region's Long Range Plan does not recommend 
increasing the number of general use travel lanes of the Gowanus 
Expressway or any other portions of Interstate route I-278. It does, 
however, recommend the implementation of an HOV lane along the corridor 
and that opportunities for improving operating efficiencies be 
considered when portions of this route are upgraded, replaced or 
rehabilitated.
    A Draft Design Report/Environmental Assessment/Draft Section 4(f) 
Evaluation was prepared for this project and was released for public 
review on October 16, 1995. In this document, a number of alternatives 
were extensively evaluated. The following are the general categories of 
alternatives considered to date: (1) Taking no action other than 
routine maintenance and structural repair, (2) rehabilitating the 
viaduct while making safety and operational improvements, (3) 
reconstructing the viaduct in the same location, (4) reconstructing the 
viaduct in a different location, (5) replacing the elevated highway 
with a street level expressway, (6) replacing the elevated highway with 
a street level arterial, (7) replacing the elevated highway with a 
street level arterial that includes a light rail line. Alternative 2--
Rehabilitation with Operational and Safety Improvements was the 
alternative that best met the project's needs and objectives. Since 
then, several innovative ideas have been put forth on how to perform 
the construction of this alternative that would minimize community 
disruption during the construction stage. If a new construction 
approach is believed to be practicable, this along with other 
alternatives will be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement.
    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 previously expressed or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. Formal scoping meetings will 
be held in January 1997. In addition, public hearings will be held. 
Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and 
hearings. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comments prior to the public hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this 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 this EIS should be 
directed to the NYSDOT and FHWA at the addresses provided above.

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


[[Page 60140]]


    Issued on November 19, 1996.
Robert Arnold,
District Engineer, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 96-30192 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M