[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14008-14009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6334]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Pike County, KY and Mingo County, 
WV

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 highway 
project in Pike County, Kentucky and Mingo County, West Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jesse Story, Division Administrator, 
Federal Highway Administration, 330 West Broadway, Frankfort, Kentucky, 
40601, (502) 223-6721, e-mail: [email protected]; or John 
Bowlin, Project Manager, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, District 12 
Pikeville, P.O. Box 2468, Pikeville, Kentucky, 41502, (606) 785-9466, 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's 
home page at http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing 
Office's web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov.nara.

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 
(KYTC) and the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH), will prepare 
an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposed highway project 
to construct a segment of Interstate Highway I-66 (Transamerica 
Transportation Corridor) between western Pike County, Kentucky and 
eastern Mingo County, West Virginia. The proposed project would involve 
the construction of a 4-line, controlled access highway on new location 
between US 23/119 southwest of Pikeville, Kentucky to the proposed

[[Page 14009]]

Interstate Highway I-73 (King Coal Highway) in Mingo County, West 
Virginia. The proposed project is approximately 30 miles (48 
kilometers) in length. This Interstate highway construction project is 
considered necessary to improve and promote economic development 
opportunities in a severely depressed area of Appalachia, improve 
regional accessibility and east-west National Highway System 
connectivity, reduce travel time and distance, improve highway safety 
for the traveling public, increase tourism, and provide for National 
defense objectives throughout the region.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) 
using alternate travel modes; and (3) constructing a 4-lane, controlled 
access highway on new location. Incorporated into and studied with the 
various build alternatives will be design variations of grade, typical 
sections, and alignments.
    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 expressed interest in this 
proposal during the previous project planning phase. Project scoping 
meetings will be held in the project area in the Spring of 2000 and a 
series of public meetings and public hearings will be held in 
conjunction with preliminary design and EIS phase activities. Public 
notice of the time and place of all public meetings and hearings will 
be given in accordance with FHWA, KYTC, and WVDOH policies and 
regulations. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency 
review and comment.
    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 under the caption FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 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.) (23 U.S.C. 315; 49 
CFR 1.48)

    Issued on: March 9, 2000.
Jesse A. Story,
Kentucky Division Administrator, Frankfort.
[FR Doc. 00-6334 Filed 3-14-00; 8:45 am]
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