[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 107 (Friday, June 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 30096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14124]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Chemung County, New York

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The action to be evaluated by this Environmental Impact 
Statement is the reconstruction of the U.S. Route 17 through the Town 
and Village of Horseheads (the Southern Tier Expressway) in Chemung 
County, New York. This proposed action would improve capacity of Route 
17 by bringing it up to Interstate highway design standards and provide 
for the separation of local and regional traffic .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter White, Regional Director, New 
York State Department of Transportation, Region 6, 107 Broadway, 
Hornell, New York 14843, (607) 324-8404 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 (FHWA), 
in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation 
(NYSDOT) will evaluate various alternatives which will consider the 
upgrading of U.S. Route 17 from Exit 52 to Exit 54 in the Town and 
Village of Horseheads, Chemung County, New York to Interstate 
standards. Each build option would include the reconfiguration/
reconstruction of the existing roadway to meet Interstate standards 
while accommodating local high volume traffic flows and local access. 
Additionally, there would be new expressway and ramp construction, 
pavement rehabilitation/reconstruction, bridge and culvert 
rehabilitation/replacement, drainage, lighting and signalization. The 
proposed project limits extend along NYS Route 17 from Exit 52 (NYS 
Route 14) easterly to Exit 54 (NYS Route 13) approximately one mile.
    The Proposed Action is anticipated to result in a balanced 
transportation system that will supply sufficient capacity, improved 
mobility and access, meet current/future traffic demand, eliminate 
current bridge deficiencies, reduce or eliminate vehicular conflicts/
accidents, separate local and regional traffic flows, as well as 
provide improved local service through the Town and Village of 
Horseheads.
    Alternatives under consideration include:
     No build or the null alternative;
     Separation of local and expressway traffic through the 
Village of Horseheads and the upgrade of Route 17 to a limited access 
expressway;
     Development of a half or full diamond interchange at Route 
13, and
     The development of collector-distributor roads along Route 
17 between Exit 52 and Exit 54.
    The environmental, socio-economic, and engineering viability 
implications of each alternative will be examined. The NO Action 
alternative will also be analyzed as a base line for gauging the 
impacts of the build alternates.
    Input from Federal, State and local Governments, local agencies, 
private organizations, and the community will be solicited during the 
development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A public 
Environmental Scoping meeting and a formal public hearing will be 
scheduled. The Environmental Scoping, meeting will be held on June 30, 
1999 at the Horseheads High School from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a 
presentation at 7 p.m. Public notice will be given to identify the time 
and place for the public hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for 
public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    Comments, questions and suggestions pertaining to the proposed 
action are invited from interested parties to ensure that all 
significant issues are identified and addressed. Comments should be 
directed to the FHWA or the NYSDOT at the addresses 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 May 24, 1999.
Douglas P. Conlan,
District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 99-14124 Filed 6-3-99; 8:45 am]
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