[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3929-3930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1572]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Pueblo, CO

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 on Interstate 25 in Pueblo, Colorado, from south of Pueblo 
Boulevard/State Highway 45 (Milepost 94) to north of U.S. Highway 50/
State Highway 47 (Milepost 102).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Horn, Federal Highway

[[Page 3930]]

Administration, 555 Zang Street, Suite 250, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-
1010. Telephone (303) 969-6730 x383.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Colorado 
Department of Transportation (CDOT), will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to improve a 7-mile segment of 
Interstate 25 (I-25) in and near Pueblo, Colorado. Improvements are 
necessary to address a deteriorating roadway and bridges with 
inadequate geometrics, safety, and existing and future traffic demand.
    Alternative under consideration include taking no action, 
reconstruction of the interstate on essentially the existing alignment, 
and reconstruction on existing and new alignment. These alternatives 
are further described as follows:
    --No Action Alternative--This alternative provides only for minor 
improvements, repairs, and other maintenance actions. The existing 
four-lane highway will otherwise remain unchanged.
    --Existing I-25 Alignment Alternative--This alternative consists of 
reconstructing I-25 to six lanes on essentially the same location, 
reconfiguring and eliminating access points to the interstate to 
improve safety, and providing other improvements to the local street 
system to enhance system connectivity and traffic movement near the 
interstate.
    --Modified I-25 Alignment Alternative--This alternative consists of 
rebuilding I-25 to six lanes and providing the other improvements 
included in the Existing Alignment Alternative, except the alignment 
would be shifted to accommodate different interchange configurations.
    Incorporated into and studied with the build alternatives will be 
Transportation System Management strategies and design variations of 
grade and alignment.
    The preliminary alternatives have been developed with the 
cooperation of public and agency work groups, and will be developed 
further during the preparation of the EIS, in conjunction with the 
FHWA, CDOT, and other federal and state agencies, the City of the 
Pueblo, the County of Pueblo, the Pueblo Area Council of Governments, 
and residents of the community.
    The public will be invited to participate in project scoping to 
ensure that the full range of issues are considered and all significant 
issues are identified. The location and time of the scoping meeting 
will be scheduled during the month of February 2003 and will be 
announced in the local media. Public meetings will occur throughout the 
development of the EIS and a public hearing will be held. Prior to the 
hearing the draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment. Public notice will be given of the time and place of all 
public meetings and the hearing.
    Comments or questions regarding this proposed action and the EIS 
should be directed to 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 January 16, 2003.
William C. Jones,
Division Administrator, Lakewood, CO.
[FR Doc. 03-1572 Filed 1-24-03; 8:45 am]
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