[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43952-43953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20931]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Dane County, Wisconsin

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an

[[Page 43953]]

environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed 
improvements of the Madison West Beltline (USH 12/14) between USH 14 in 
Middleton &Todd Drive in Madison; and Verona Road (USH 18/151) between 
CTH PD & USH 12/14 in Madison; Dane County, Wisconsin

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Johnny M. Gerbitz, Field 
Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 567 D'Onofrio 
Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53719-2814; telephone: (608) 829-7511. You 
may also contact Ms. Carol Cutshall, Director, Bureau of Environment, 
Wisconsin Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 7965, Madison, 
Wisconsin 53707-7965; telephone: (608) 266-9626.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Offices' Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of Federal Register home 
page at: http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing 
Offices' database at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to 
improve the West Madison Beltline--USH 12/14 between USH 14 and Todd 
Drive, a distance of 8.28 miles; and Verona Road--USH 18/151 between 
CTH PD and USH 12/14, a distance of 1.81 miles.
    The anticipated format for the EIS will be Screening Worksheets 
rather than the typical narrative form. The Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation has developed a series of Environmental Screening 
Worksheets which are divided into Basic Sheets and Factor Sheets. The 
Screening Worksheets provide a flexible means of addressing the 
requirements for an Environmental Document.
    The improvements to these two highways are considered necessary to 
provide capacity for existing and projected traffic demand, to reduce 
high crash rates, and provide better connectivity between land areas 
adjacent to the highways.
    Planning, environmental, and engineering studies are underway to 
develop transportation alternatives. The EIS will assess the need, 
location, and environmental impacts of alternatives within the study 
area. These alternatives include:
    (1) No Build--this alternative assumes the continued use of 
existing facilities with the maintenance necessary to ensure their use;
    (2) Upgrade the Existing Facilities--this alternative would improve 
traffic handling capabilities and safety by reconstructing the roadway 
and interchanges. This may include the reconfiguration of one or more 
interchanges;
    (3) Beltline Crossovers--this alternative would complement the 
other two alternatives to provide additional Beltline crossings for 
vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. All alternatives will examine 
improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
    Information 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 corridor throughout the data 
gathering and development of alternatives. In addition, a public 
hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place 
of the meetings and hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the hearing. As part of the 
scoping process, coordination activities have begun. Scoping meetings 
will continue to be held on an individual or group meeting basis. 
Agency coordination will be accomplished during these meetings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed, and all substantive 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 FHWA or the Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation at the addresses provided in the caption FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. (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).

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: August 14, 2001.
Johnny M. Gerbitz,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Madison, 
Wisconsin.
[FR Doc. 01-20931 Filed 8-20-01; 8:45 am]
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