[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 18146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8412]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Merced County, CA

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 Merced County, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn Clinton, Team Leader, Program 
Delivery Team--North, California Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, 980 9th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814-2724.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highways Administration, in 
coordination with the California Department of Transportation 
(Caltrans), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a 
proposal to build a bypass in the vicinity of the City of Los Banos in 
Merced County, California, in order to improve the flow of traffic on 
State Route 152 and reduce congestion within the city. This bypass 
would begin at Post Mile 16, east of Volta Road, and end approximately 
at Post Mile 25. State Route 152 serves as a major east-west link 
between the major north-south roadways of State Route 99, State Route 
101, and Interstate 5. Currently the flow of traffic along State Route 
152 must slow as it enters the City of Los Banos. Because State Route 
152 currently passes through the center of the City of Los Banos, 
considerable traffic congestion would be relieved by construction of a 
bypass around the City. The proposed project is a 4-lane freeway on a 
6-lane alignment.
    Four alternatives are being considered at this time: three build 
alternatives and a No Action Alternative (Alternative 4). All build 
alternatives would realign State Route 152 so that the route would 
bypass the City of Los Banos. Alternatives 1 and 2 would follow an 
alignment south of the City of Los Banos. Alternative 1 would parallel 
north of Copa De Ora Avenue and Alternative 2 would parallel south of 
Pioneer Road. Alternative 3 would follow an alignment to the north of 
the City of Los Banos.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments were 
sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have expressed or are known to 
have interest in this proposal. The Public Participation Program for 
this study includes community information meetings (the first was held 
August 24, 2000), and a formal Public Hearing in the summer of 2002.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action is addressed, and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. If you have 
any information regarding historic resources, endangered species, or 
other sensitive issues, which could be affected by this project, please 
notify this office. Comments or questions concerning this proposed 
action and the EIS should be directed to the FHWA at the address 
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.)

    Issued on: March 29, 2001.
Glenn Clinton,
Team Leader, Program Delivery Team--North, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 01-8412 Filed 4-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M