[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 13678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7015]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Burleigh and Morton Counties, ND

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 Burleigh and Morton Counties, North Dakota.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Calvin Larson, Environment and Design 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 1471 Interstate Loop, 
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503-0567, Telephone: (701) 250-4204; Terrence 
Udland, Bridge Engineer, North Dakota Department of Transportation, 608 
East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0700, Telephone: 
(701) 328-1969.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the North 
Dakota Department of Transportation, will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) to determine the best long-term solution for the 
Liberty Memorial Bridge crossing of the Missouri River. The proposed 
improvement would involve the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the 
bridge and approach roadways.
    The existing bridge is 80 years old and has developed extensive 
deterioration and damage due to weathering, ice control chemicals, and 
traffic conditions. In addition, the bridge approach geometry and lane 
widths do not conform to current highway standards and therefore 
constitute a safety hazard. Emergency repairs to the pier caps were 
completed in 2001. These repairs were limited and are projected to last 
for only five years.
    The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 
It was christened the Liberty Memorial Bridge in honor of North Dakota 
World War I soldiers. It was the first vehicular bridge over the 
Missouri River in North Dakota. At the time it was completed, it was 
the only vehicular bridge between Great Falls, Montana and Sioux City, 
Iowa. It was also the final link in the coast-to-coast National Parks 
Highway, later designated U.S. Highway 10.
    The alternatives that will likely be evaluated include (1) taking 
no action; (2) rehabilitating the existing bridge; (3) rehabilitating 
the existing bridge and constructing a new bridge adjacent to the 
existing; and (4) constructing a new bridge in the vicinity of the 
existing bridge and demolishing the existing bridge.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting views and 
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 an interest in this proposal. Public 
scoping meetings for identifying significant issues to be addressed in 
the environmental impact statement will be held on April 8, 2002 in the 
Bismarck, North Dakota, City Council Chamber and on April 9, 2002 in 
the Mandan, North Dakota, City Council Chamber.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related 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 
directed to the North Dakota Department of Transportation or 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 of 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued on: March 8, 2002.
J. Michael Bowen,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Bismarck, North 
Dakota.
[FR Doc. 02-7015 Filed 3-22-02; 8:45 am]
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