[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 64437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31908]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Traverse City, Michigan

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 the proposed 
construction of a new Boardman River crossing with a connection between 
US-31 south of Traverse City and US-31 east of Traverse City, Grand 
Traverse County, Michigan. The project will provide an alternate route 
around Traverse City which may function as a local, interim by-pass for 
Traverse City. The proposed project will mostly follow existing 
roadways in the Traverse City area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Kirschensteiner, 
Environmental Programs and Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway 
Administration, 315 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, Michigan 48933, 
Telephone (517) 377-1880 or Mr. Mark Dionise, Urban Program Manager, 
Local Agency Programs, Bureau of Highways, Michigan Department of 
Transportation, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, Michigan 48909, Telephone 
(517) 373-9570.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Michigan 
Department of Transportation (MDOT), and the Grand Traverse County Road 
Commission, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
the proposed construction of a new Boardman River crossing with a 
connection between US-31 south of Traverse City and US-31 east of 
Traverse City, Michigan. The proposed project will replace the existing 
one-lane Cass Road Bridge over the Boardman River with a new bridge 
with connections to US-31 both south of and east of Traverse City. The 
completion of this project will provide an alternate route around 
Traverse City and will relieve congestion on US-31 through downtown 
Traverse City. The existing Cass Road Bridge will remain in place, but 
will be closed to traffic upon completion of the project.
    The alternatives under consideration include (1) No Build, (2) the 
re-construction and connection of Hartman and Hammond Roads along with 
the study of a suitable connection to US-31 east of Traverse City, and 
(3) Transportation System Management (TSM) improvements to existing 
roads in the study area to relieve congestion.
    An Environmental Assessment had been prepared for the replacement 
of the Cass Road Bridge which is located on the Boardman River dam. The 
Cass Road Bridge and Boardman dam complex has been determined to be 
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The 
Environmental Assessment analyzed the social, environmental, and 
economic impacts of various alternative locations for replacement of 
the Cass Road Bridge. A preferred alternative for a new bridge across 
the Boardman River, connecting Hartman Road with Hammond Road, 
upgrading Hartman Road from two lanes to four and five lanes with a new 
intersection location at U-31, upgrading Hammond Road from two lanes to 
four and five lanes, and closing the existing Cass Road Bridge was 
presented at a public hearing on June 24, 1997. As a result of the 
public hearing, it was determined to revise the scope of the proposed 
project to include alternatives to connect this project with US-31 east 
of Traverse City and to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on 
this proposed action. A scoping document will be prepared describing 
the proposed action to solicit comments from appropriate Federal, 
State, and local agencies. Citizen involvement is also being solicited 
in the process. A public hearing will be held on the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement. 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.
    Comments, and suggestions are invited from all interested parties 
to ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed action 
are addressed and all significant issues identified. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the FHWA at the address 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.)

    Issued on: November 25, 1997.
James J. Steele,
Division Administrator, Lansing, Michigan.
[FR Doc. 97-31908 Filed 12-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M