[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 27107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12845]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Hennepin and Wright Counties, 
Minnesota

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to terminate EIS.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the 
current Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for a proposed 
highway project on Trunk Highway 12 (TH 12) in Hennepin and Wright 
Counties, Minnesota is terminated. The original notice of intent for 
this EIS process was published in the Federal Register during May 1992.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Martin, Environmental Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, Galtier Plaza, Box 75, 175 Fifth Street 
East, Suite 500, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2901, Telephone (612) 291-
6120; or Patti Loken, Project Manager, Minnesota Department of 
Transportation--Metro Division, 1500 West County Road B2, Roseville, 
Minnesota 55113, Telephone (612) 582-1293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Minnesota 
Department of Transportation (MnDOT), has terminated the EIS process 
begun in 1992 to improve TH 12 in Hennepin and Wright Counties. The 
original proposed project would have involved the reconstruction of 
existing TH 12 from a two-lane, two-way roadway to a four-lane, divided 
roadway between TH 25 in Montrose, Wright County to TH 101 in Wayzata, 
Hennepin County, a distance of approximately 29 kilometers. The FHWA 
and MnDOT are no longer considering a four-lane upgrade because: (1) 
There is not sufficent funding available to build a four-lane 
alternative; (2) the Metropolitan Council does not support a four-lane 
alternative; and (3) the purpose and need for the project can be met by 
a build alternative with lesser scope. A modified project is proposed 
to upgrade approximately 8 kilometers of TH 12 in Hennepin County from 
Wayzata Boulevard in Wayzata to the intersection of County State Aid 
Highway 6 in Orono. The proposed project involves the construction of a 
new segment of two-lane, limited-assess highway along the north side of 
the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad track, two interchanges and 
two connections with local roads. Improvements to the corridor are 
considered necessary to provide for the existing and projected traffic 
demand, enhance safety and improve highway geometrics. An Environmental 
Assessment will be completed for the proposed project.
    Coordination has been initiated and will continue with appropriate 
Federal, State and local agencies and private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest 
in the proposed action. Public meetings have been held in the past and 
will continue to be held, with public notice given for the time and 
place of the meetings. To ensure that the full range of issues related 
to this proposed action are addressed and all issues identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the need for 
an EIS should be directed to the 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 apply to this program)

    Issued on May 8, 1997.
Stanley M. Graczyk,
Project Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-12845 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M