[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3303-3304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1433]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Mills County, IA; Cass County, NE

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 proposed roadway 
and bridge improvement project in Cass County, Nebraska, and Mills 
County, Iowa.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Edward Kosola, Realty/
Environmental Officer, FHWA, Federal Building, Room 220, 100 Centennial 
Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508-3851, (402) 437-5765. Mr. Arthur Yonkey, 
Planning and Project Development Engineer, Nebraska Department of 
Roads. PO Box 94759, 1500 Highway 2, Lincoln, NE, 68509, (402) 479-
4795. Mr. James Rost, Office of Location and Environment, Iowa 
Department of Transportation, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010, 
Telephone: (515) 239-1798.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Transportation Appropriations Bill for 
fiscal year 2002 included funding for a study of a possible replacement 
bridge over the Missouri River on Highway U.S. 34 at Plattsmouth, 
Nebraska. The FHWA, in cooperation with the Nebraska Department of 
Roads (NDOR) and the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), will 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rehabilitation/
Replacement and Roadway Study project for the U.S. 34 Plattsmouth 
Bridge.
    The existing two-lane U.S. 34 toll bridge over the Missouri River 
at the east edge of Plattsmouth has been listed in the National 
Register of Historic Places. The existing bridge is a multi-span 
through-truss structure approximately 1,400 feet long with a 20-foot 
wide driving surface. This bridge is both functionally and structurally 
obsolete. The existing alignment of U.S. 34 is through the Central 
Business District of Plattsmouth. The roadway portion of the study will 
include a connection to Highway U.S. 75 at the west edge of 
Plattsmouth.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) 
rehabilitating/replacing the existing two-lane bridge; (3) constructing 
a new two-lane bridge on new location with a connection to the existing 
roadway system; and (4) constructing a new two-

[[Page 3304]]

lane bridge on new location with a new roadway system.
    An agency scoping meeting and a public scoping/information meeting 
are planned. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting 
comments will be sent to appropriate federal, state, and local 
agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who are known to be 
interested in this proposed project. Public input will be sought 
throughout the project via a series of public meetings to be held in 
2003 and 2004. A Draft EIS will be prepared and a public hearing will 
be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the 
public meetings and public hearing.
    To ensure that the 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 or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to the Nebraska Department of Roads, Iowa DOT or 
FHWA at the address provided in the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

(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)

    Dated: January 16, 2003.
Edward W. Kosola,
Realty/Environmental Officer, Nebraska Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, Lincoln, Nebraska.
[FR Doc. 03-1433 Filed 1-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M