[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5699-5700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2651]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Erie County, NY

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, New York State Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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[[Page 5700]]

SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to 
advise the public of its intent to prepare an environmental impact 
statement for the proposed Southtowns Connector/Buffalo Outer Harbor 
Project in Erie County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert J. Russell, Regional Director, New York State Department of 
Transportation, Region 5, 125 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, 
(716) 847-3238 or
Harold J. Brown, Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, New York Division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th 
Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12207, 
(518) 431-4127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FWHA), 
in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation 
(NYSDOT), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 
proposed Southtowns Connector/Buffalo Outer Harbor Project (the 
Proposed Action) in Erie County, New York. The Proposed Action is 
designed to improve mobility between and through the City of Buffalo 
and its southern suburban areas, consisting of the City of Lackawanna, 
the Village of Blasdell, the Town of Hamburg, and other outlying towns 
and villages.
    The Proposed Action is intended to support existing and projected 
transportation demands currently served by the following facilities:
     A portion of New York State (NYS) Route 5, consisting of a 
limited-access expressway and at-grade arterial road extending from the 
Buffalo Skyway (an elevated bridge passing over the Buffalo River) 
through the Buffalo Outer Harbor and the City of Lackawanna to the Town 
of Hamburg.
     The Mainline Section of the New York State Thruway (I-90); 
and
     The Niagara Section of the New York State Thruway (I-90).
    A series of previous planning efforts began the process for the 
development of the Proposed Action. The project was originally 
considered by the NYSDOT through the completion of the Southtowns 
Connector Feasibility Study in July 1991. It was also included in the 
Horizons Waterfront Action Plan, prepared by the Horizons Waterfront 
commission in January 1992. Further aspects of the project's components 
are listed in the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization's Long 
Range Transportation Plan, prepared by the Greater Buffalo-Niagara 
Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC).
    Most recently in 1998, NYSDOT prepared a Major Investment Study 
(MIS) associated with the Proposed Action. In accordance with the 
requirements set forth in the Intermodal Surface Transportation 
Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) the MIS was prepared as an Option 1 MIS. 
Option 1 MISs involve a process for formulating a single or series of 
locally-preferred alternatives that are progressed into subsequent 
analysis and documentation in a National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) EIS.
    The MIS process was comprised of three major interrelated elements: 
(1) identification of deficiencies; (2) development and screening of 
alternatives; and (3) implementation of a pro-active public involvement 
program. Initially, twenty-nine alternatives were considered, each 
intended to meet the project's goals and objectives. Through the 
conducting of a major flaw analysis and further refinement the number 
of alternatives was reduced to fifteen. This was followed by more 
detailed comparative analysis, which resulted in the identification of 
five locally preferred alternatives remaining under consideration. 
These will be carried into the analysis for the EIS.
    The alternatives remaining under consideration consist of the 
following components:
     The No Action Alternative, which would involve only 
implementing planned and committed transportation projects through 
2020.
     Implementation of Transportation System Management (TSM) 
strategies within the study area, such as improved informational 
systems; and
     Three Major Build Alternatives, including:

--Construction of a new expressway utilizing an existing rail corridor 
that passes north to south through the study area, extending from 
Milestrip Road to I-190 near the Seneca Street Interchange in South 
Buffalo, and construction of a Lackawanna Connector expressway from NYS 
Route 5, near Smokes Creek, to I-90 near the NYS Route 219 interchange.
--Improvement of existing facilities, involving widening of I-190 from 
Church Street in Downtown Buffalo to the I-90 Interchange, and widening 
of I-90 from the I-190 Interchange to the Lackawanna Toll Plaza, as 
well as construction of the Lackawanna Connector; and
--Constructing a new transit way utilizing the existing rail corridor 
and construction of the Lackawanna Connector.
    NYSDOT is initiating a scoping process for the purpose of 
determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying 
significant issues related to the project. Letters describing the 
Proposed Action and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate 
Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed interest in this proposal. 
NYSDOT will also conduct a series of formal NEPA public scoping 
meetings to be held at the following locations and times:
     February 16, 1999, 7:00-9:00 PM, Lackawanna Senior Citizen 
Complex, 420 Martin Road, Lackawanna, New York.
     February 18, 1999, 4:30-6:30 PM, NYSDOT Public Information 
Office, Waterfront Village Center, 50 Lakefront Boulevard, Buffalo, New 
York.
     February 24, 1999, 7:00-9:00 PM, Southside Elementary 
School Community Room, 430 Southside Parkway, Buffalo, New York.
    Each of the above locations has facilities accessible to the 
handicapped. Should attendees require materials for the hearing 
impaired associated with any of the public scoping meetings they should 
contact Mr. Gary Gottlieb at (716) 854-0280 at least 48 hours prior to 
the subject meeting.
    In addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be 
given of the time and place of the hearing. The EIS will be available 
for public and agency review and comment.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the Proposed 
Action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all agencies and interested parties. 
Comments or questions concerning this Proposed Action and the EIS 
should be directed to the NYSDOT for 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 on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123.

    Issued on: January 26, 1999.
Douglas P. Conlan,
District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 99-2651 Filed 2-3-99; 8:45 am]
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