[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 78563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32301]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: La Plata County, CO

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this Notice of Intent to advise the public 
that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a 
proposed transportation project to improve the safety, capacity, and 
efficiency of US Highway 160 from Durango to Bayfield in La Plata 
County, Colorado.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph P. Duran, FHWA Colorado 
Division, 555 Zang Street, Suite 250, Lakewood, Colorado 80228. 
Telephone (303) 969-6730 Extension 385, or the Colorado Department of 
Transportation, Kerrie E. Neet, Right of Way/Environmental/Planning 
Manager, CDOT Region 5, 3803 North Main Ave, Suite 300, Durango, 
Colorado 81301, 970-385-1430 or (e-mail: [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, cooperation with the Colorado 
Department of Transportation Region 5, will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve the safety, capacity, 
and efficiency of US 160 from the US 160/US 550-east intersection, 
easterly through Bayfield in La Plata County. The proposal is to widen 
what is primarily a two-lane roadway into a four-lane highway, with 
shifts and realignments in some locations. The project will also 
correct substandard roadway design, intersection deficiencies and 
consider the need to relocate the existing US 160/US 550-east 
intersection.
    US 160 is a principal arterial on the National Highway System, 
providing the only major east-west corridor for the transport of 
people, goods, and services across southwestern Colorado. This highway 
serves as the major route for local and regional traffic into Durango 
and Bayfield. The existing US 160 highway improvements were constructed 
in the 1950s and 1960s, and the typical design life for a highway is 20 
years. Based on projected traffic volumes, the function of this highway 
will continue to deteriorate, causing increased safety hazards and 
maintenance costs. Some sections of this highway currently exhibit an 
above average traffic accident rate.
    The scoping process to develop alternatives along the US 160 
corridor began in September 1996 and a Final US 550 and US 160 
Feasibility Study was completed and signed by the FHWA in February 
1999. The Feasibility Study identified the improvements needed to 
achieve the goals of increasing the highway's efficiency, capacity, and 
improving safety with concern for important public values. Public and 
agency input on alternatives was sought through a series of public 
meetings.
    A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to determine the 
potential for significant impacts due to the proposed highway widening 
and shifts in alignment. As a result of this analysis and issues raised 
during the public process, the FHWA has determined that preparation of 
an EIS is appropriate. Identified impacts warranting this determination 
include wetlands, threatened/endangered species, environmental justice, 
wildlife, and private property owner concerns.
    Changes in the anticipated land use and jurisdiction are in 
progress for the western portion of the project corridor known as 
``Grandview.'' this area is being studied for urban services and is 
likely to be annexed to the City of Durango. This warrants the 
consideration of a new ``urban'' type of four-lane improvement. 
Consideration of all reasonable alternatives will be performed to 
determine how to best meet the project purpose and need. Alternative 
alignments developed in the EA process will be reevaluated for 
potential inclusion in the EIS. As required by NEPA, the EIS will also 
evaluate a ``No Action'' alternative as a baseline for comparing 
impacts of all the alternatives. Multimodal facilities, including park-
n-ride lots and shared use (bicycle/pedestrian) paths, will be 
considered as part of the alternatives analysis.
    A public scoping meeting will be held during February or March 2003 
to present alternatives. Notices of this public meeting will be mailed 
to citizens, property owners, agencies, and posted in local news media. 
Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements will be prepared and 
made available for public and agency review prior to public hearings.
    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 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 on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Issued on: December 4, 2002.
Joseph P. Duran,
Operations Engineer, Colorado Division FHWA, 555 Zang Street Suite 250, 
Lakewood, CO 80228.
[FR Doc. 02-32301 Filed 12-23-02; 8:45 am]
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