[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37515-37516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17886]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Scioto County, OH

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 Scioto County, Ohio.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Andreas Garnes, Rural Programs 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 200 N. High Street, Room 328, 
Columbus, Ohio 43215, Telephone: (614) 280-6856.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Ohio 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for a proposal to improve transportation in the United 
States Route 23 and United State Route 52 (US 23/US 52) corridor by 
locating a freeway route from the vicinity of Lucasville being the 
northern terminus to the vicinity of Sciotoville being the southern 
terminus via the preferred alternative study area identified in the 
Feasibility Study Report dated April 2001. A transportation investment 
is considered necessary to improve the regional transportation network 
by providing an improved travel corridor; to reduce anticipated 
congestion on US 23/US 52 from projected traffic volumes; to improve 
safety; and to support existing industry and future development through 
improved access to southern Ohio. Alternatives under consideration 
include: (1) Taking no action; (2) building a modern five-lane rural 
arterial utilizing existing roadways within the Airport Bypass Study 
Area as defined in the September 2000 Feasibility Study Report; and (3) 
constructing a roadway on a new alignment bypassing the City of 
Portsmouth within the Airport Bypass Study Area.
    US 23/US 52 through the study area contain physical limitations 
that contribute to several transportation problems. These problems 
include high traffic volumes and the diversion of through traffic to 
local roadways. These

[[Page 37516]]

inadequacies lead to safety problems, reduced levels of service, and 
transportation inefficiencies.
    The proposed improvement of US 23/US 52 would meet the intent of 
the Appalachian Regional Commission, as well as the goals of Access 
Ohio, of improving mobility along this macro corridor in order to 
encourage economic development. The US 23/US 52 corridor is part of 
Appalachian Corridor B and a larger roadway network connecting 
Columbus, Ohio to Asheville, North Carolina. With US 23 upgrades either 
completed or under construction south of Ohio, the only gaps remaining 
in this route will be in Ohio. Substantial transportation improvements 
in the study area could close an important ``missing link'' in the 
overall corridor.
    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. A series of public meetings 
will be held in the project area. These are currently anticipated for 
Summer of 2002 and Winter of 2003. In addition, a hearing will be held 
in conjunction with the Draft EIS in late 2003. Public notice will be 
given of the exact time and place of the meetings and hearing to be 
held for the project. The Draft EIS will be available for public and 
agency review and comment prior to the public hearing. No formal 
scoping meeting is planned at this time.
    To ensure that the full range of issues relating 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 sent to 
the FHWA at the address provided above. (Catalog 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: July 9, 2001.
Andreas Garnes,
Rural Programs Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Columbus, Ohio
[FR Doc. 01-17886 Filed 7-17-01; 8:45 am]
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