[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18383-18384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9624]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: City of Ogden, Weber County, UT

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 will be prepared for a proposed highway 
project in the City of Ogden, Weber County, Utah.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Allen, Project Development 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 2520 West 4700 South, Suite 
9A, Salt Lake City, Utah 84118, Telephone: (801) 963-0182; or Rod 
Terry, Preconstruction Engineer, Utah Department of Transportation, 
Region 1, P.O. Box 12580, Ogden, Utah 84412, Telephone (801) 399-5921 
ext. 305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Utah 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement on a proposal to reconstruct approximately 2 miles of State 
Road (SR) 79 from the existing Interstate 15 interchange to Harrison 
Boulevard (SR-203), and to widen approximately 1.5 miles on Wall Avenue 
(SR-204) from approximately 22nd Street to 34th Street in the urban 
portion of Ogden, Utah. The proposed reconstruction of SR-79 would 
provide the necessary east-west arterial roadway capacity to meet urban 
infrastructure needs, and to meet existing and future transportation 
demand. The widening of SR-204 would provide a uniform roadway width 
for the north-south arterial roadway and an appropriate roadway 
capacity for the gateway entrance to the Central Business District of 
the City of Ogden.
    The reconstruction of SR-79 is included in the current Long-Range 
Plan and the Transportation Improvement Plan for the Ogden Urbanized 
Area. The City of Ogden has stated the need for infrastructure 
improvements to facilitate access to the Central Business District. The 
proposed action would eliminate the current one-way couplet structure 
of SR-79 through the City of Ogden and replace it with a single 
arterial roadway of sufficient capacity to accommodate predicted 
traffic demand through the year 2020. The widening of SR-204 would 
provide continuity with the existing width on SR-204 both north and 
south of the proposed project, and would improve capacity of key 
instructions. It would also provide a proper shoulder and new curb and 
gutter along the roadway improving safety, maintenance, drainage, and 
access control.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action, (2) 
using transportation system management strategies that would provide 
for transportation efficiency within the existing transportation 
network, and (3) constructing a new arterial roadway on one or the 
several alignments for SR-79. Such a new arterial would widen existing 
roadways to the maximum extent possible, but would also require new 
right-of-way segments of the alignments. Design variations of grade

[[Page 18384]]

and alignment will be incorporated into, and analyzed with, the various 
build alternatives. SR-204 would be widened on one or both sides of the 
existing alignment.
    Information letters describing the proposed action and soliciting 
comments on the proposed project will be sent to appropriate Federal, 
State and local agencies, as well as to private organizations and 
individuals who have previously expressed interest, or who are expected 
to be interested, in the proposed project. An initial public scoping 
meeting is expected to be held in the City of Ogden during May 1997. 
Notice of additional public meetings to present information and solicit 
comments relative to alternatives for consideration and possible 
impacts will be given as the proposed project proceeds. In addition, a 
public hearing will be held. Upon release of the draft EIS, public 
notice will be given of the time and place for a public hearing. The 
draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to the public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are 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 or UDOT at the address provided above.

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

    Issued on: April 9, 1997.
Michael G. Ritchie,
Division Administrator, Salt Lake City, Utah.
[FR Doc. 97-9624 Filed 4-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M