[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 162 (Monday, August 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50731-50732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21214]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, and 
Robertson Counties, Texas

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 
transportation project in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, and Robertson 
Counties, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Salvador Deocampo, Acting District 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 300 E. 8th Street, Room 826, 
Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone 512-916-5988.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA), Texas Department of Transportation 
(TxDOT), and the Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Organization (B/
CSMPO), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for 
upgrading the existing railroad corridor or constructing a new corridor 
for the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). The study corridor is 
approximately 25 miles in length and includes portions of Brazos, 
Burleson, Grimes and Robertson Counties; the cities of Bryan and 
College Station; and the Texas A&M University (TAMU) campus. From a 
regional and local perspective, the UPRR in this area could 
significantly impact roadway operations, and traffic and pedestrian 
safety. The population and traffic volumes have grown significantly in 
the region and the region's population is projected to increase by 50% 
by the year 2025. Traffic and safety issues are further exacerbated by 
increasing rail traffic and operations, increasing

[[Page 50732]]

population, and expansion of activities and facilities in the western 
half of the TAMU campus.
    As directed by TEA-21, the Major Investment Study (MIS) process 
will be integrated with the EIS. The primary purpose of this study, 
known as the ``Local Rail Economic Feasibility and Location Study'' is 
to perform an alternative corridor analysis to determine the 
feasibility of upgrading the existing rail corridor or constructing a 
new corridor which will allow through-freight trains, local motorists, 
and pedestrians to travel uncongested through all or part of the Bryan/
College Station corridor between Hearne and Navasota, Texas. Previous 
feasibility studies have examined a range of alternatives an 
alignments.
    This study will examine viable alternatives and potential 
alternatives including the No-Build and vertical realignment and/or 
horizontal realignment options for the railroad. In addition, the study 
will evaluate the proposed track improvements required to allow 
commuter rail operations in conjunction with continuous freight 
operations. Grade separations of the railroad with Villa Maria Road, 
George Bush Drive, and FM 2818 are included in the 2000-2025 
Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for the Bryan/College Station 
region and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and will be 
included in the No-Build Alternative. The study will also include 
extensive and continuous public involvement to address the long-term 
mobility need and safety issues of both the region and local community. 
The study will include the identification of the configuration and 
operational characteristics of alternatives. It will also include a 
discussion of the effects on social, economic, and environmental 
resources, and of other known and reasonably foreseeable agency actions 
proposed within the study corridor.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations, citizens, and residents who have previously 
expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. Public 
scoping meetings are planned for:
     September 19, 2000 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the 
Bryan First Church of God Fellowship Hall located at 2002 Highway 21 
East, Bryan, Texas 77803;
     September 20, 2000 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Mary Branch 
Elementary School Cafeteria located at 2040 West Villa Maria, Bryan, 
Texas 77801; and
     September 21, 2000 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the College 
Station Conference Center located at 1300 George Bush Drive, College 
Station, Texas 77840.
    Persons with disabilities planning to attend this meeting who 
require auxiliary aids or services such as interpreters for the hearing 
impaired, readers, or Braille, school contact Ms. Sandy Wesch-Schulze 
at 1-877-394-9321 (toll free number), at least two (2) working days 
prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 
Because the public meeting will be conducted in English, any request 
for language interpreters or other special communication needs should 
also be made at least two working days prior to the public meeting. 
Reasonable accommodations will be made to meet these needs.
    These meetings will be to solicit public comments on the proposed 
action during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. In 
addition, public meetings will be held throughout the process. Public 
notice will be given of the time and place of the other public meetings 
and hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency 
review and comment before 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 should be directed to the 
FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalogue 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: August 15, 2000.
Brett Jackson,
Urban Program Engineer.
[FR Doc. 00-21214 Filed 8-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M