[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10108-10109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5338]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Bernalillo County, NM

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS)

[[Page 10109]]

for the Gibson East Transportation Corridor Study.

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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 
transportation project in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, in accordance 
with 23 CFR part 771.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New Mexico 
State Highway and Transportation Department and the City of Albuquerque 
Public Works Department, will prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) on a proposal to improve Gibson Boulevard in Bernalillo County, 
New Mexico. The proposed action involves the improvement of Gibson 
Boulevard beginning at Interstate 25 and extending eastward to the Juan 
Tabo Boulevard-Interstate 40 interchange for a total corridor distance 
of about 12.9 kilometers or 8.0 miles.
    The proposed action addresses the need to relieve increased traffic 
congestion in the southeast quadrant of Albuquerque with a safe and 
efficient transportation system that also serves major employment 
centers including the Albuquerque International Airport, Kirtland Air 
Force Base, the Kirtland Airforce Base/Veterans Administration Medical 
Center, and the Lovelace Medical Center.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) the No Build 
Alternative; (2) the Arterial Alternative; (3) The Expressway 
Alternative; (4) the Expressway/Arterial Alternative, and (5) the 
Transit/High-Occupancy Vehicle Alternative.
    The No Build Alternative would maintain the existing condition of 
Gibson Boulevard as a six-lane principal arterial with varying degrees 
of access control from the Interstate 25/Gibson Boulevard interchange 
eastward to its existing terminus at Louisiana Boulevard, a distance of 
approximately 6.4 kilometers or 4.0 miles.
    The Arterial Alternative would reconstruct major street 
intersections, make some minor roadway improvements on Gibson Boulevard 
from the Interstate 25/Gibson Boulevard interchange to Louisiana 
Boulevard, and close several existing roadway medians. It would also 
extend Gibson Boulevard eastward from Louisiana Boulevard to the Juan 
Tabo Boulevard/Central Avenue intersection.
    The Expressway/Arterial Alternative would upgrade Gibson Boulevard 
to a high-capacity, high speed, limited access principal arterial with 
full access limited to major intersections approximately one-half mile 
apart for its eight mile length.
    The Expressway/Arterial Alternative would upgrade Gibson Boulevard 
to a high-capacity, high-speed, limited-access principal arterial with 
full access limited to major street intersections approximately one-
half mile apart along seven of its eight mile length. For the remaining 
one-mile segment, between San Mateo Boulevard and Louisiana Boulevard, 
the Arterial Alternative standards would apply.
    The Transit/High-Occupancy Vehicle Alternative would upgrade Gibson 
Boulevard from Interstate 25 to the Juan Tabo Boulevard/Interstate 40 
interchange to a transit/high-occupancy vehicle corridor.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have 
been sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed an 
interest or are known to have an interest in this proposal. A series of 
public meetings will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico beginning in 
February, 1997. In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public 
notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and hearing. 
The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and 
comment prior to the public hearing. No formal scoping meeting is 
planned at this time.
    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 and questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog 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 supply to this program)

    Issued on: February 12, 1997.
Reuben S. Thomas,
Division Administrator, Santa Fe, NM.
[FR Doc. 97-5338 Filed 3-4-97; 8:45 am]
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