[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 131 (Friday, July 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42058-42059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17220]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Albany County, NY

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 highway 
project in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   
Thomas C. Werner, Regional Director, New York State Department of 
Transportation, 84 Holland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208, Telephone: 
(518) 474-6178
        or
Harold J. Brown, Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, New York Division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th 
Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12207, 
Telephone: (518) 431-4127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York 
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve State 
Route 85 in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York. The 
proposed improvement will involve the construction and rehabilitation 
of the existing route from the vicinity of its intersection with Route 
140, to the Albany City Line, a distance of about 2.6 miles. 
Improvements to the highway are necessary to address identified 
transportation problems within the corridor and to accommodate the 
existing and projected traffic demands. In addition to the highway 
improvements, the project may include the widening of the existing 
Route 85 bridge over the Normanskill or the construction of a new 
parallel structure, and the rehabilitation or replacement of the 
existing Route 85 structure over the Thruway and the construction of a 
new parallel structure over the New York State Thruway.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) 
construction of a two lane limited access highway on new location from 
the Route 140 intersection to the vicinity of the existing Route 85 
over Normanskill bridge (effectively extending the existing two lane 
facility); (3) providing a four lane facility by the construction of a 
new four lane limited access highway on new location from the Route 140 
intersection to the vicinity of the existing Route 85 bridge over the 
Normanskill and then the construction of two additional lanes parallel 
to the existing two lane limited access highway to the vicinity of the 
Albany City Line. Incorporated into and studied with the various build 
alternatives will be design variations of grade, alignment, and local 
access.
    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 
interest in this proposal. No formal Scoping Meeting is planned at this 
time. A public information meeting will be held after additional study. 
After the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is prepared, it 
will be made available for agency and public review and comment. In 
addition, a public hearing will be held for which a public notice will 
be given of the time and place of the hearings.

[[Page 42059]]

    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 NYSDOT or FHWA at the addresses 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)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 U.S.C. 771.123

    Issued on: June 29, 2000.
Douglas P. Conlan,
District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 00-17220 Filed 7-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M