[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 33133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15607]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Monterey County, California

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation.

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 Monterey County, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert F. Tally, Team Leader, Program 
Delivery Team-North, Carolina Division, Federal Highway Administration, 
980 9th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814-2724, Telephone: (916) 
498-5020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the California 
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve safety and reduce 
congestion on SR (State Route) 156 in Monterey County between 
Castroville Boulevard and SR 101. The existing two-lane conventional 
highway has an accident rate 35% higher than the average rate for 
comparable highways, and operates at LOS (Level of Service) E which is 
expected to decline to LOS F by 2020. A bottleneck condition at the SR 
156/101 interchange contributes to safety problems in the corridor.
    Four alternatives are being considered at this time: A No Action 
Alternative (Alternative 1) and three build alternatives. All build 
alternatives would convert the described section of SR 156 from a two-
lane highway to a four-lane expressway and construct interchange 
improvements at SR 156/101. Alternative 2 would construct the 
additional two lanes directly south of, and on the same alignment as, 
existing SR 156. Alternative 3 would construct a portion of the 
additional two lanes on a split alignment south of existing SR 156. 
Alternative 4 would construct four new lanes south of the existing SR 
156 alignment.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments were 
sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have expressed or are known to 
have interest in this proposal. The Public Participation Program for 
this study includes community information meetings expected to begin in 
the summer of 1999, and a formal Public Hearing in early 2001.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action is addressed, and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. If you have 
any information regarding historic resources, endangered species, or 
other sensitive issues, which could be affected by this project, please 
notify this office. 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 Research, Planning, and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Issued on: June 8, 1999.
Robert F. Tally,
Team Leader, Program Delivery Team-North, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 99-15607 Filed 6-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M