[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 121 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38876-38877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15804]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Constantine, MI

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 (EIS) will be prepared for proposed 
improvements to US-131 from the Indiana Toll Road to M-60 including a 
potential western by-pass of the Village of Constantine in St. Joseph 
County, Michigan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Kirschensteiner, Programs 
and Environmental Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 315 W. 
Allegan Street, Lansing, Michigan 48933, Telephone (517) 377-1880, ext. 
41 or Mr. Paul Wisney, Manager, Design Division, Michigan Department of

[[Page 38877]]

Transportation, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, Michigan 48909, Telephone 
(517) 335-1905.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Michigan 
Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Indiana Toll Authority and the 
Indiana Department of Transportation is preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed Improvements to US-131 from the 
Indiana Toll Road to M-60.
    US-131 is used as a primary route for commercial truck traffic 
destined for major urban areas in western Michigan and northern 
Indiana. A high volume of trucks, approximately 14% of the average 
daily traffic, currently use US-131. Problems associated with this high 
volume of truck traffic include congestion, pedestrian crossing 
conflicts, and vibration and noise impacts, particularly within the 
Village of Constantine's registered historic district.
    A one-mile wide planning corridor will serve as the base within 
which future improvement alternatives will be developed. This one-mile 
wide planning corridor was identified during a previous public hearing 
and corridor location study conducted by MDOT. The US-131 Improvement 
Study area is generally bounded by the Indiana Toll Road (80/90) to the 
south, M-60 to the north, US-131 to the east and Blue School and 
Schafeer Roads to the west.
    A wide range of transportation improvement alternatives will be 
analyzed within the recommended study corridor. Alternatives will range 
from a ``no action'' alternative up to and including a limited access 
freeway facility. Proposed transportation improvements will focus on 
utilizing the existing US-131 right-of-way where possible. The entire 
process of determining a preferred alternative is expected to take 
approximately two years.
    A scoping document will be prepared describing the proposed action 
to solicit comments from appropriate federal, state, and local 
agencies. Citizen involvement is also being solicited throughout this 
process. A public hearing will be held on the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS). Public notice will be given of the time and 
place of the hearing. The DEIS will be available for public and agency 
review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    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.

    Issued on: June 13, 2000.
James J. Steele,
Division Administrator, Lansing, Michigan.
[FR Doc. 00-15804 Filed 6-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M