[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