[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48501-48502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Peoria, Marshall, Putnam, and 
Bureau Counties, IL

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (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 (EIS) will be prepared for expanding 
Illinois 29 to a four-lane highway. The proposed project will extend 
from Illinois 6 in Peoria County north to I-180 in Bureau County.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   

Norman R. Stoner, P.E., Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, 3250 Executive Park Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, 
Phone: (217) 492-4600

[[Page 48502]]

Joseph E. Crowe, P.E., District Engineer, Illinois Department of 
Transportation, District 4, 401 Main Street, Peoria, Illinois 61602-
1111, Telephone: (309) 671-3333


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve existing Illinois 29 to a 
four-lane highway from Illinois 6 in Peoria County north to I-180 in 
Bureau County. The approximately 35-mile long project corridor is 
located west of and parallel to the Illinois River. The proposal is 
being considered to improve north-south highway access west of the 
Illinois River, enhance travel efficiency, and support economic 
development in the region. Alternatives under consideration include: 
(1) The No-Build Alternative, (2) improvements to the existing highway, 
and (3)possible bypasses at Chillicothe, Sparland, Henry and Putnam.
    Alignment studies will determine one preferred alignment location 
and address the type of facility and preliminary interchange 
geometrics. Engineering and environmental conditions will be addressed 
in order to determine an alignment that meets the transportation needs 
of the region while minimizing the impacts to the environment. 
Potentially affected resources include agricultural land, 
archaeological sites, wetlands, woodlands, natural areas, State 
Conservation Areas, a nature preserve, historic structures, and 
residential and commercial property. Preliminary measures to minimize 
harm, probable construction cost estimates and estimated right of way 
requirements will be developed as part of the study.
    The scoping process undertaken for this project will include 
distribution of a scoping informational packet, coordination with 
appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and review sessions as 
needed. An informational scoping packet may be obtained from one of the 
contact people listed above.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed, and all substantive issues are identified, public 
involvement activities will be conducted as part of the study. Public 
information meetings, local government meetings, and newsletters will 
provide opportunities for public involvement. A public hearing will be 
held at the time that the Draft EIS is made available for comment. The 
project's Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
prior to the public hearing. The time and location of the public 
information meeting and public hearing will be announced in local 
newspapers. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and 
the Draft EIS should be directed to FHWA or the Illinois Department of 
Transportation at the addresses provided above.

(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.)

    Issued on: July 18, 2002.
J.D. Stevenson,
Environmental Programs Engineer, Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 02-18666 Filed 7-23-02; 8:45 am]
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