[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 50494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24743]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Butler County, PA

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 Butler County, Pennsylvania.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David W. Cough, P.E., Director of 
Operations, Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Division 
Office, 228 Walnut Street, Room 536, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 14101-
1720 (717) 221-3411 or George Boros, Project Manager, Pennsylvania 
Department of Transportation, District 10-0, Route 286 South, P.O. Box 
429, Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701, (724) 357-2842.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a transportation improvement 
within the 12-mile study area of State Route 0228 (SR 228). The western 
terminus of the study area encompasses U.S. Route 19 in Cranberry 
Township, and the eastern terminus is slightly east of SR 0008 (SR 8) 
in Middlesex Township. The northern and southern limits of the study 
area comprise an area between a half-mile to two-mile width on either 
side of the existing SR 228 corridor. A portion of the southern limit 
of the study area borders the Butler and Allegheny County line.
    The project will include the development of a reasonable range of 
alternatives that meet the project need and the preparation of 
supporting environmental documentation and analysis to recommend a 
preferred alternative for implementation.
    The primary purpose of this project is to relieve congestion along 
the existing SR 228 corridor. The proposed action will be consistent 
with the region's transportation goals and objectives as defined by the 
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) and the Butler County 
Planning Commission.
    Alternatives that will be considered include new off-line roadway 
alignments, on-line upgrade of existing roadways, and a no-build 
alternative. Additionally, limited construction options including 
Transportation Systems Management (TSM) and Congestion Management 
System (CMS) strategies will be evaluated. These alternatives will be 
the basis for a recommendation of alternatives to be carried forward 
for detailed environmental and engineering studies. A preferred 
alternative will be identified which best meets the need of the traffic 
demand, and satisfies the environmental, socioeconomic and engineering 
needs and incorporates public input.
    A full public involvement program will be incorporated into the 
project development process. A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will 
be organized to provide an ongoing liaison between the local citizens 
and the project team. A newsletter mailing list has been developed. A 
Public Hearing will be held at the conclusion of the study to solicit 
comments from the public on the alternatives presented. The Draft EIS 
will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the 
public hearing. The project website is active at the following address: 
www.route228east.com.
    Periodic meetings are scheduled with state and federal 
environmental agencies through Agency Coordination Meetings (ACM) to 
present project information and to receive comments and input from the 
agencies on the development of the project.
    Comments will be solicited from appropriate federal, state and 
local agencies, and from private organizations and citizens who have 
previously expressed, or are known to have an interest in this project. 
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 a 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 and questions concerning the proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA or PENNDOT at the address provided 
above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 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.)

James A. Cheatham,
FHWA Division Administrator, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
[FR Doc. 01-24743 Filed 10-2-01; 8:45 am]
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