[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5881-5882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2922]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: King County Washington

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Washington State Department 
of Transportation, is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for the proposal to 
either repair or replace the South Park Bridge, which crosses the 
Duwamish River in King County, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Healy, Transportation and 
Environmental Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 711 South 
Capital Way, Suite 501, Olympia, Washington 98501-1284, Telephone: 
(360) 753-8655 or Jim Sussex, Environmental Engineer, King County, Road 
Services Division, Department of Transportation, King Street Center 
M.S. KSC-TR-0231, 201 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104-3856, 
Telephone: (206) 296-8737.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Washington 
State Department of Transportation and the King County Department of 
Transportation, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on 
a proposal to either repair or replace the South Park Bridge, which 
spans the Duwamish River between 14th Avenue South and 16th Avenue 
South. The existing movable span bridge structure is owned jointly by 
King County and the City of Tukwila, and the bridge approaches extend 
into the City of Seattle. The bridge was built in 1931, using a 
Scherzer Rolling Lift double leaf bascule span, with steel truss and 
concrete approach spans on both sides. In spite of substantial ongoing 
maintenance and repairs, the bridge has suffered significant 
deterioration over the past 70 years.

[[Page 5882]]

Damage that occurred during the Nisqually Earthquake of February 2001 
has been repaired, but the bridge is increasingly vulnerable to future 
seismic events. The proposed project is necessary in order to implement 
a long-term solution to the deteriorated condition and the seismic 
vulnerability of the bridge. Specific alternatives for this project 
have not yet been developed. However, it is anticipated that 
approximately four build alternatives will be developed for analysis in 
the EIS, in addition to the no action alternative. The build 
alternatives may include: (1) Restoration of the existing bridge, (2) a 
movable span replacement bridge, and (3) a fixed span replacement 
bridge, The exact alignment and other significant design features may 
vary for each of these build alternatives, and variations may be 
different enough to warrant consideration as separate alternatives. 
Details regarding the number and character of these alternatives will 
be established through an extensive process of resource agency 
consultation and public involvement.
    Scoping meetings will be held for the public and resource agencies 
during late February or early March 2002. A Project Advisory Committee 
(PAC) will be established to provide ongoing input from relevant 
government agencies and tribes. A Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) will be 
formed to provide additional involvement for representatives from 
neighborhood and business groups, as well as the public at large. A 
public hearing to gather public comments will be held after the draft 
EIS is issued and made available for public and agency review. The time 
and location of public meetings, when determined, will be announced in 
the local news media and public mailings.
    Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA or King County at the addresses provided 
above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 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.)
    Issued on: January 31, 2002.
Elizabeth Healy,
Transportation and Environmental Engineer, Olympia, Washington.
[FR Doc. 02-2922 Filed 2-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M