[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 59023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28865]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Smith County, TX

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 
new location highway project in Smith County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Mack, P.E., Acting District 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Room 826, Federal Office 
Building, 300 East 8th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Randy Hopman, P.E., 
Director of Transportation Planning and Development, Texas Department 
of Transportation, PO Box 2031, Tyler, Texas 75710.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct the western section 
of Loop 49, an approximately 40 mile circumferential controlled access 
highway around the urbanized area of Tyler in Smith County, Texas. The 
western section of the proposed Loop 49 extends from State Highway 155 
northward to Interstate Highway 20 in western Smith County. The length 
of the project varies, depending on the selected alternative, averaging 
approximately 28.3 kilometers (17 miles). The proposed action is 
intended to provide access and increased mobility to the western Tyler/
Smith County area and the Northeast Texas region; and to provide a 
safer, more convenient route for traffic traveling through the Tyler 
area.
    Alternatives to the proposed action to be discussed in the EIS 
consist of (1) taking no action; and (2) improving existing roadways in 
the urbanized areas of Smith County. The build alternatives include 
five alternative alignments along new location rights-of-way connecting 
State Highway 155 to Interstate Highway 20.
    Impacts caused by the construction and operation of Loop 49 will 
vary according to the alternative alignments utilized. Generally, 
impacts would include the following: Transportation impacts 
(construction detours, construction traffic, and mobility improvement), 
air and noise impacts from construction equipment and operation of the 
roadway, water impacts from construction area and roadway storm water 
runoff, impacts to waters of the United States including wetlands from 
right-of-way encroachment, wildlife habitat impacts, and impacts to 
residents and businesses including potential relocations.
    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 
interest in the proposal. A Major Investment Study has been completed 
in compliance with the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency 
Act. In addition, several meetings have been held by the Loop 49 
Steering Committee, composed of representatives of local governments, 
agencies, and interested organizations and citizens. A public meeting 
was held on August 28, 1997, at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, 
Texas, at which public comments on the proposed action and alternatives 
were requested. In addition, a public hearing will be held after 
publication of the Draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time 
and place of the 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 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 TxDOT at the addresses provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12373 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)

    Issued on: October 21, 1997.
John Mack,
Acting District Engineer, Austin, Texas.
[FR Doc. 97-28865 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
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