[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 13096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6831]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Howard County, MD

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 Howard County, Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Renee Sigel, Planning, Research, and Environment Team Leader, 
Federal Highway Administration, The Rotunda Suite 220, 711 West 40th 
Street, Baltimore, Maryland 2112211, Telephone: (410) 962-4342.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Maryland 
State Highway administration, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to improve MD 32 from MD 108 (Clarksville Road) to I-
70, in Howard County, Maryland. Proposed improvements within the 
corridor would involve upgrading MD 32 to a four lane access controlled 
highway, between the town of Clarksville and I-70 for approximately 9 
miles.
    Improvements to the corridor are necessary to provide for the 
existing and projected traffic demands. Also, accident statistics 
indicate that some sections along this roadway (especially MD 32, from 
south of Triadelphia Road to south of West Ivory Road and from Terrapin 
Branch to north of I-70) experience accident rates higher than the 
statewide average.
    Alternatives under consideration include taking no action and 
widening existing MD 32 to a four lane divided highway with various 
options for constructing new interchanges at Burntwoods Road, 
Triadelphia Road, Rosemary Lane, Nixon's Farm, Dayton Shop, and MD 144.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations, citizens, and citizen groups who have previously 
expressed or are known to have an interest in this proposal. It is 
anticipated that a Public Hearing will be held in the fall of 1998. The 
Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to a Public Hearing. Public notice will be given of the 
availability of the Draft EIS for review and of the time and place of 
this hearing. An Alternates Public Workshop was held in June of 1996, 
in addition to monthly focus group meetings to solicit opinions and 
ideas on proposed improvements from local citizens.
    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 these proposed actions and 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 regulation 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation of Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)

    Issued on: March 3, 1998.
Renee Sigel,
Planning, Research and Environment Team Leader, Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. 98-6831 Filed 3-16-98; 8:45 am]
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