[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 36868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17851]



[[Page 36868]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Kennebec County, ME

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 
project in the City of Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Linker, Manager of Right of Way 
and Environmental Programs, Room 614, Muskie Federal Building, Augusta, 
Maine 04330, Telephone (207) 622-8355 ext. 23; or Ray Faucher, Project 
Manager, Maine Department of Transportation, Design Division, State 
House Station 16, Child Street, Augusta, Maine 04333, Telephone (207) 
287-3171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FWHA, in cooperation wit the Maine 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an EIS on a proposal to 
improve highway connections across the Kennebec River to National 
Highway System and other State highways on the east and west sides of 
Augusta. This proposal is in response to a need to improve traffic 
congestion, improve traffic service and access, and to provide for 
projected traffic demands in a manner consistent with the City's Growth 
Management Plan.
    The EIS will examine the feasibility and potential impacts of the 
following alternatives:
     Taking no action;
     Improving the existing highway corridor through Augusta 
from routes 201, 202, 3, 9, 17, 27, 100 and 105 on the east, to I-95 
and routes 201, 202, 8, 11, 27, 100, and 104 on the west side of the 
city.
     Construction on new alignment in a corridor in the 
northern portion of Augusta, connecting major transportation routes on 
the east and west of the Kennebec River. The corridor is approximately 
5 kilometers in length.
     Construction on new alignment in a corridor in the 
southern portion of Augusta, connecting major transportation routes on 
the east and west of the Kennebec River. The corridor is approximately 
5 kilometers in length.
Coordination and scoping has been initiated with the City of Augusta, 
and appropriate Federal, State and local agencies. A public scoping 
meeting will be held on July 17, 1997, 7:00 p.m. at the Augusta City 
Hall. Other public meetings are anticipated during development of the 
EIS. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and 
comment and a public hearing will be held following publication of the 
draft. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the 
meetings and hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues relating to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions should be directed to FHWA or MDOT at the addresses provided 
above.

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

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: July 2, 1997.
Paul L. Lariviere,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Augusta, Maine.
[FR Doc. 97-17851 Filed 7-8-97; 8:45 am]
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