[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46862-46863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22532]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Portage County, WI

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (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 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed 
highway improvement of United States Highway (US) 10 from the vicinity 
of Trestik Road west of the Village of Junction City to Portage County 
Trunk Highway (CTH) K east of the City of Stevens Point in Portage 
County, Wisconsin.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Wesley Shemwell, Pavement 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 567 D'Onofrio Drive, Madison, 
Wisconsin 53719-2814, telephone: (608) 829-7521. 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's 
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 the second tier of a tiered environmental 
impact statement to improve US 10 as an ultimate four lane roadway from 
Trestik Road west of Junction City to CTH K east of Stevens Point, a 
distance of about 26 miles.
    The overall second tiered EIS will have two distinct segments. The 
west segment extends from Trestik Road to I 39/US 51, while the east 
segment is from I 39/US 51 to CTH K. There will be two levels of 
analysis done. The western segment will be analyzed in detail, with the 
Final EIS completing the environmental documentation requirements for 
the improvements of US 10 along this segment.
    For the eastern segment, conceptual highway corridors will be 
studied in broad, general corridors. This level of study will complete 
the first tier of an environmental evaluation for this section. To 
ensure the accuracy of the generalized impacts and compliance with 
current legislation, additional environmental documentation will be 
required for specific design projects along this eastern segment of US 
10.
    Improvements to the overall corridor are considered necessary to 
provide for the existing and projected traffic demand. US 10 in Portage 
County is classified as a principle arterial. Truck volume on the route 
is high. All the US 10 traffic passes through the communities of 
Junction City and Stevens Point, which contributes to congestion and 
traffic related impacts within those communities.
    Planning, environmental, and engineering studies are underway to 
develop transportation alternatives. The EIS will assess the 
environmental impacts of alternatives including (1) no-build, (2) 
improvements along the existing rural corridor, with possible relocated 
alignments along portions of the route, (3) bypass corridors around 
Junction City and Stevens Point, and (4) improvement alternatives 
through Junction City and Stevens Point.
    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

[[Page 46863]]

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 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 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 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 28, 2001.
Wesley A. Shemwell,
Pavement Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Madison, Wisconsin.
[FR Doc. 01-22532 Filed 9-6-01; 8:45 am]
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