[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 56379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27177]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Athens and Meigs Counties, Ohio

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

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 project 
in Athens and Meigs Counties, Ohio.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Dobson, Field Operation Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, 200 N. High Street, Room 328, Columbus, 
Ohio 43215, Telephone: (614) 280-6853.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Ohio 
Department of Transportation (ODOT), will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct an improved highway 
from the City of Athens in Athens County to just south of Darwin in 
Meigs County, Ohio.
    An Environmental Assessment was prepared for this proposal and 
approved by the FHWA with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) 
issued on September 10, 1997. Subsequent public comment and changing 
environmental issues and regulations have resulted in the decision to 
prepare an EIS.
    The existing facility is a two-lane, rural roadway with numerous 
substandard features, including narrow shoulders, tight curves, steep 
grades, and numerous access points. The purpose of the project is to 
provide an improved connection from the existing four-lane US 33 in 
Athens to the existing four-lane US 33 freeway just south of Darwin. 
The project will improve safety, increase the efficiency of regional 
travel, and improve capacity to provide for projected increases in 
traffic volumes. This project is also intended to provide the 
transportation infrastructure needed to meet the mobility, access, and 
economic goals established for Southeastern Ohio in Access Ohio, the 
state's long range transportation plan.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) 
upgrading the existing facility; and (3) constructing a highway on new 
alignment.
    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 or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. A citizens advisory committee 
will be formed from known interested organizations and stakeholders to 
provide input on the proposal. One or more public meetings will be held 
in the Fall of 1999. In addition, a public hearing will be held, 
expected in the Spring of 2000. Public notice will be given of the time 
and place of the meetings and hearing. The draft EIS will be available 
for public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing. 
No formal scoping meeting is planned at this time.
    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 on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued on: October 6, 1999.
Dan Dobson,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Columbus, 
Ohio.
[FR Doc. 99-27177 Filed 10-18-99; 8:45 am]
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