[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 81 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 21039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10304]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Somerset County, Pennsylvania

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 highway 
project in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David W. Cough, P.E., Director of 
Operations, Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Division 
Office, 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1720, (717) 221-3411 or 
David L. Sherman, P.E., Project Manager, Pennsylvania Department of 
Transportation, District 9-0, 1620 North Juniata Street, Hollidaysburg, 
Pennsylvania, 16648, (814) 696-7172.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to identify and evaluate 
alternatives for the transportation improvement of a 15.2 mile section 
of U.S. 219 between the northern terminus of the Meyersdale Bypass 
(upgraded U.S. 219) and the existing four-lane section of U.S. 219 near 
the Borough of Somerset, Pennsylvania. A partial realignment of the 
last mile of the existing four-lane section of U.S. 219 near Somerset 
may also be considered. Included in the overall project will be the 
identification of a range of alternatives that meet the project need 
and supporting environmental documentation and analysis to recommend a 
preferred alternative for implementation. A complete public involvement 
program is part of the project.
    Based on a needs analysis completed in 1999, improvements to U.S. 
219 are needed between Somerset, Pennsylvania and I-68 in Maryland 
based on deficient levels of service for most roadway segments; 
accident rates higher than the statewide average; geometric features 
which do not meet current design standards; increased travel times and 
delays; less efficient system linkage for motorists traveling between 
the four-lane section of U.S. 219 or the PA Turnpike (I-70/76) in 
Somerset and I-68 in Maryland; insufficient access to local 
communities; and significant contributing factor in limiting economic 
development.
    Possible alternatives to the proposed project include: no build; 
transportation system management (TSM); relocation to the eastern 
portion of the study area, west of Berlin; relocation to the west in 
the vicinity of the Garrett Shortcut; and one additional alternative 
not yet defined. These alternatives will be the basis for a 
recommendation of alternative to be carried forward for detailed 
environmental and engineering studies in the EIS. Incorporated into and 
studied with the various alternatives will be design variations of 
grade and alignment.
    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 or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. Public meetings will be held 
in the area throughout the study process. Public involvement and agency 
coordination will be maintained throughout the development of the EIS.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to PennDOT at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulation implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program).
James A. Cheatham,
FHWA Division Administrator, Harrisburg, PA.
[FR Doc. 01-10304 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
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