[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 32299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15262]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Dallas County, Texas

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed 
transportation project in Dallas County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Walter C. Waidelich Jr., District 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 300 E. 8th Street, Room 826, 
Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone (512) 916-5988.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the North Texas Tollway 
Authority (NTTA), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) 
for the Trinity Parkway reliever route from the SH-183/IH-35E 
interchange to SH-310/US-175 interchange to relieve traffic congestion 
on IH-35E and IH-30 within the City of Dallas. In 1998. A Major 
Transportation Investment Study (MTIS) was completed by TxDOT in order 
to develop a locally-preferred plan to solve transportation problems 
along the Trinity River corridor in Dallas and to integrate with 
community plans and goals for the Trinity River resource. The study was 
focused on transportation needs in the IH-35E/IH-30 interchange on the 
west side of downtown Dallas, locally known as the ``Mixmaster,'' and 
the depressed segment of IH-30 south of downtown, locally known as the 
``Canyon.'' The MTIS Recommended Plan of Action is comprised of seven 
elements, which include improvements to existing facilities, improving 
alternative transportation modes, and constructing a reliever route 
along the Trinity River. The MTIS considered in detail four corridors 
for the proposed reliever route. These included Stemmons Freeway (IH-
35E), Industrial Boulevard, the east Trinity River levee and the west 
Trinity River levee.
    During the MTIS process, numerous alternatives were evaluated for 
the reliever roadway. The analysis of effects for each of the reliever 
roadway alternatives included the estimation of construction and right-
of-way costs, traffic capacity considerations, effect on natural and 
cultural assets, effect on social and economic conditions, impacts on 
Trinity River projects, number of displacements, effect on access to 
adjacent properties, and difficulty/disruption in construction. From 
the preliminary alternatives considered, four build alternatives, one 
along existing Industrial Boulevard and three along the Trinity River 
levees, were identified as potential alternative alignments that 
warrant further study. The principal variations of the three 
alternatives along the Trinity River levees consist of a combined 
roadway with eight general purpose lanes along the river side of the 
east levee; a split parkway with four general purpose lanes along the 
river side of both levees; and a split parkway with four general 
purpose lanes along the land side of both levees. The Industrial 
Boulevard alternative consists of an elevated roadway (double-deck) 
with eight general purpose lanes and two high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) 
lanes. These alternatives and the no-build alternative along with any 
other reasonable alternatives identified during the scoping and public 
involvement processes will be analyzed in further detail during the EIS 
review process.
    The EIS will include a discussion of the effects of other known and 
reasonably foreseeable agency actions proposed within the Trinity 
Parkway corridor study area, which include proposed projects by the US 
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City of Dallas. The USACE has 
proposed flood control improvements consisting of the proposed Dallas 
Floodway Extension, which encompasses the Dallas Floodway from the 
AT&SF Railroad near Corinth Street to IH-20; and proposed flood control 
improvements from the AT&SF Railroad to Royal Lane in Dallas. The USACE 
has submitted a final EIS for the proposed Dallas Floodway Extension 
project. The proposed flood control improvements between the AT&SF 
Railroad and Royal Lane will be evaluated as part of a Programmatic EIS 
to be completed by the USACE for the Trinity River complex from the 
southern boundary of Dallas County to the upper reaches of the Trinity 
River Elm Fork, West Fork, and Clear Fork. The City of Dallas has 
proposed various Trinity River floodway improvements, which include the 
construction of lakes, wetlands, hike and bike trails, parks, and other 
recreational amenities. This project is identified as the City of 
Dallas Trinity River Master Implementation Plan and is currently in the 
planning stage.
    A public scoping meeting is planned to be held in the summer of 
1999. The date will be announced locally at a later time. This will be 
the first in a series of meetings to solicit public comments on the 
proposed action. In addition, public hearings will be held. Public 
notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and 
hearings. The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment prior to the public hearings.
    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 at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation of 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)
Walter C. Waidelich, Jr.,
District Engineer, Austin, Texas.
[FR Doc. 99-15262 Filed 6-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M