[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 53342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22464]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Chemung County, New York

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), New York State 
Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

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 upgrading portions 
of NYS Route 17 to meet federal interstate standards in Chemung County, 
New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harold J. Brown, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, New York Division,Leo W. 
O'Brien Federal Building, 7th Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl 
Street, Albany, New York 12207, Telephone (518) 431-4127; or Peter E. 
White, Regional Director, New York State Department of Transportation, 
Region 6, 107 Broadway, Hornell, New York 14873, Telephone (607) 324-
8404.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York 
State Department of Transportation, will be preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to upgrade a 16 kilometer (10 
mile) section of Route 17/Southern Tier Expressway to a fully 
controlled access freeway from just east of the Water Street-Exit 57 
Interchange to the Route 427--Exit 59 Interchange within the Towns of 
Elmira, Ashland, Chemung and City of Elmira in Chemng County, New York. 
The proposal would involve the elimination of existing driveway 
connections and at-grade intersections, construction of two-lane local 
road segments on new alignment (to re-establish access) and 
reconstruction of the Route 17 mainline pavement on this highway 
section.
    This highway upgrade is necessary to separate local and through 
traffic to reduce the occurrence of accidents related to turning 
movements to and from Route 17 to access commercial and residential 
properties as well as adjoining local streets. Additionally, the 
proposed project is necessary to bring this portion of Route 17 up to 
interstate standards for future designations as I-86.
    Alternatives under consideration include a ``No-build'' and a 
``Build'' alternative. The No-Build alternative is an alternative that 
involves no new construction and/or roadway improvements. The Build 
alternative will include the elimination of driveways and at-grade 
intersections and adjustments to the local roadway system necessary to 
re-establish access. The Build alternative has many possible variations 
associated with the overall roadway section and right-of-way widths. 
The design process will identify the optimum combination of property 
acquisition and road work required.
    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. The NEPA scoping process will be initiated 
in August 2000 and a public hearing will be held in the future at a 
time and place to be announced. The Draft-EIS, when prepared, will be 
available for public and agency review/comment.
    To ensure that a 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 or NYSDOT 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 CFR 771.123.

    Issued on: August 21, 2000.
Doug P. Conlan,
District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 00-22464 Filed 8-31-00; 8:45 am]
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