[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 51827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22037]



[[Page 51827]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Montgomery and Prince George's 
Counties, MD

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 a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Draft Section 4(f) 
Evaluation will be prepared for a proposed roadway improvement project 
in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Daniel W. Johnson, Environmental 
Program Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, Maryland Division, 
The Rotunda, Suite 220, 711 W. 40th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211, 
Telephone: (410) 962-4342, extension 145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA along with the Maryland State 
Highway Administration will prepare a Draft EIS with a draft Section 
4(f) Evaluation for transportation improvements along the MD 28/MD 198 
Corridor in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. The U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be 
invited to be cooperating agencies. The proposed project includes 
widening improvements along MD 28 (Norbeck Road), Norbeck Road Extended 
and MD 198 (Spencerville Road/Sandy Spring Road) from the vicinity of 
MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) to the vicinity of I-95 (approximately 10.6 
miles).
    Proposed improvements along this corridor are necessary because MD 
28 and MD 198 are currently operating near capacity in some areas 
between MD 97 in Montgomery County and I-95 in Prince George's County. 
The 2002 completion of Montgomery County's Norbeck Road Extended 
project provides a direct connection of MD 28 and MD 198, reducing 
travel time between MD 182 (Layhill Road) and MD 650 (New Hampshire 
Avenue). Traffic operations in the study corridor are expected to 
worsen as planned and future development occurs and congestion 
increases. The local roadway network will reach capacity and will be 
unable to accommodate this increased travel demand leading to stop-and-
go conditions at locations along the corridor. Improvements within the 
corridor will accommodate existing and projected travel demand, while 
addressing safety concerns.
    The alternates under consideration include (1) No-Build Alternate--
taking no action, (2) Transportation Systems Management Alternate--
providing a wide range of spot improvements throughout the corridor 
that address the most serious concerns at specific location or segments 
of roadway (e.g., intersection improvements, geometric improvements, 
access management strategies, and center turn lanes) and (3) Master 
Plan Features Alternate--incorporating roadway improvements, including 
roadway widening, to MD 28, Norbeck Road Extended and MD 198 within the 
study limits as called for in the local area master plans.
    Other transportation projects within the vicinity of the MD 28/MD 
198 Corridor Improvement Study are under way or under study; including 
the MD 28/MD 97 interchange, the MD 198/US 29 interchange and the 
Intercounty Connector (ICC). A Public Hearing was held for the MD 28/MD 
97 interchange in December 2002. The MD 198/US 29 interchange is 
currently under construction, anticipated to be complete in the Fall 
2004. The Public Hearing for the ICC is tentatively scheduled for the 
Fall 2004.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, local agencies, private 
organizations, and citizens who have previously expressed or are known 
to have an interest in this project. A Public Hearing is tentatively 
scheduled for the Winter 2003/2004. The Draft EIS/Draft Section 4(f) 
Evaluation will be available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to a Public Hearing. Public notice will be given of the 
availability of the Draft EIS/4(f) for review and of the time and place 
of this hearing.
    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 these proposed actions and EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA at the address provided above (Catalog 
of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Research, 
Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 
12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation of Federal programs and 
activities apply to this program).

    Issued on: August 14, 2003.
Daniel W. Johnson,
Environmental Program Manager, Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. 03-22037 Filed 8-27-03; 8:45 am]
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