[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35824-35825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17086]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Delaware County, NY

AGENCY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the New York 
State Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA and DOT is issuing this notice to advise the public 
that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed 
highway project in Delaware County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Williams, Action Regional 
Director, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, New York,13901, Telephone (607) 
721-8116;

    or

Robert Arnold, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
New York Division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, Room 719, 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 NYS Route 17 in Delaware County, New 
York. The proposed improvement would involve the construction of a new 
controlled access highway in the Towns of Deposit and Hancock for a 
distance of about 11.3 kilometers. The project objectives are to 
eliminate all at-grade intersections and driveways on NYS Route 17 
between Hale Eddy and Hancock and to upgrade NYS Route 17 to Interstate 
standards for the designation of NYS Route 17 to Interstate 86. The 
project will include at least one interchange and the construction of 
service roads so that the local community will be able to access the 
newly constructed controlled access highway.
    Alternatives under consideration include: 1. Do Nothing and 2.

[[Page 35825]]

Controlled access freeway, built to Interstate standards, with at least 
one full interchange serving the community of Hale Eddy. Several 
alignment alternatives are being considered for further study under the 
controlled access freeway alternative. Alternatives A & A2 incorporate 
a new diamond interchange in Hale Eddy and reconstructs the freeway on 
existing alignment. Alternative B provides a new interchange east of 
Hale Eddy and new alignment north of existing Route 17. Alternative C 
provides two new diamond interchanges, one in Hale Eddy and one in the 
Roods Creek Road area and new alignment north of existing Route 17. 
Alternatives D and E incorporate a new interchange at Roods Creek Road 
and Hale Eddy, respectively, and new alignment south of Route 17 in the 
Town of Sanford between Hale Eddy and the Roods Creek Road area. 
Alternative F provides a new diamond interchange in the Lower Hale Eddy 
Road area and the freeway would be reconstructed on existing alignment. 
Alternative G provides two new diamond interchanges, one in the Hungry 
Hollow Road area and one in the Roods Creek Road area, and new 
alignment north of existing route 17. Within all of the alternatives 
noted above, various options for maintaining access to existing 
properties incorporating service roads are under study. Incorporated 
into and studied with the various build 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 
interest in this proposal. A Public Informational Meeting was held on 
March 13, 2001 in the Town of Hancock. After the March meeting a 
steering committee was formed to address and resolve community issues 
that could influence development of the project. The committee, which 
consists of 25 members, met on May 11, 2001. Additional public 
informational and steering committee meetings are planned and will 
continue as needed. In addition, a public hearing will be held. The 
draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment. 
No formal NEPA scoping meeting is planned at this time.
    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 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: June 28, 2001.
Douglas P. Conlan,
District Operations Engineer, New York Division.
[FR Doc. 01-17086 Filed 7-6-01; 8:45 am]
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