[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 222 (Tuesday, November 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65107-65108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28740]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Final Environmental Impact Statement; Jefferson and Lewis & Clark 
Counties, MT

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 and the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), the FHWA, in 
cooperation with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), has 
prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for proposed 
transportation improvements along the I-15 Corridor in Lewis & Clark 
and Jefferson Counties, Montana. The alternative evaluated in the FEIS 
include the Preferred Alternative (Alternative 1), Alternative 2 and 
the No-Action Alternative, and their associated social, economic and 
environmental impacts. Interested citizens are invited to review the 
Final EIS and submit comments. Copies of the Final EIS may be obtained 
by telephoning or writing the contact persons listed below under the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT heading. Public reading copies of the 
Final EIS

[[Page 65108]]

are available at the locations listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

DATES: A 30-calendar-day public review period will begin on November 
21, 2003. Written comments on the alternatives and impacts to be 
considered must be received by MDT by December 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Final EIS should be addressed to Mr. 
Mark Studt, P.E., Project Manager, Montana Department of 
Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, MT 59601. Mr. Studt's e-
mail address is [email protected]. Copies of the Final EIS are 
available for public inspection and review at the locations provided in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request copies of the Final EIS or 
for additional information, contact Mr. Mark Studt, Project Manager, 
Montana Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena MT, 
59601, Telephone: (406) 444-9191, or Mr. Carl James, Transportation 
Specialist, FHWA Montana Division, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena MT, 59602, 
Telephone: (406) 449-5302, extension 238.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Final EIS are available in 
hard copy format for public inspection at:
    [sbull] Montana Department of Transportation, Environmental 
Services, 2701 Prospect Avenue, Room 111, Helena MT, 59601, 406-444-
0804.
    [sbull] Federal Highway Administration, Montana Division Office, 
2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT 59602, 406-449-5302.
    [sbull] Jefferson County, Clerk & Recorder's Office, Jefferson 
County Courthouse, Boulder, MT 59632, 406-225-4020.
    [sbull] Lewis & Clark County, City and County Transportation 
Office, City and County Building, Room 404, 316 North Park, Helena, MT 
59601, 406-447-8457.
    [sbull] East Helena City Hall, City Clerk's Office, 7 E. Main St., 
East Helena, MT 59635, 406-227-5321.
    [sbull] Rossiter Elementary School, 1497 E. Sierra Road, Helena, MT 
59602, 406-447-8860.
    [sbull] Lewis & Clark County Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch, 
Helena, MT 59601, 406-447-1690.
    [sbull] Boulder Community Library, 202 South Main, Boulder, MT 
59632, 406-225-3241.
    [sbull] Broadwater Community Library, 201 North Spruce, Townsend, 
MT 59644, 406-266-5060.
    [sbull] Clancy Library, 6 North Main, Clancy, MT 59634, 406-933-
5254.
    [sbull] Bob's Valley Market, 7507 N. Montana Avenue, Helena, MT 
59602, 406-458-5140.
    [sbull] Montana City Store, 1 Jackson Creek Road, Montana City, MT 
59634, 406-442-6625.
    [sbull] Carter & Burgess, Inc., 707 17th Street, Suite 2300, 
Denver, CO 80202, 303-820-4894.
    To receive a copy of the FEIS on CD or on-line, please contact Mr. 
Mark Studt at the address provided above.

Background

    The Final EIS provides a detailed evaluation of the proposed 
transportation improvements along I-15 between the Montana City 
interchange and the Lincoln Road interchange and identifies a Preferred 
Alternative. The study area lies within the city of Helena, and in 
Lewis & Clark and Jefferson Counties, MT. The study area extends 
approximately 19 kilometers (12 miles) from Reference Post 187 to 
Reference Post 200. The Final EIS includes an examination of purpose 
and need, alternatives evaluated, travel demand, affected environment, 
environmental consequences, and mitigation measures as a result of the 
improvements under consideration. The identified Preferred Alternative 
(Alternative 1), Alternative 2 and a No-Action Alternative are 
presented in the Final EIS.
    The Preferred Alternative (Alternative 1) is a composite of 
transportation improvements including a new South Helena interchange 
and a new northern interchange at Custer Avenue. This alternative is 
designed to optimize corridor transportation improvement without 
incurring undesirable environmental impacts. This alternative is 
enhanced by including five supporting elements to complete the proposed 
improvements. The major components of the alternative are:
    [sbull] New interchange at South Helena
    [sbull] Interchange improvements at Capitol
    [sbull] New interchange at Custer Avenue
    [sbull] Conceptual design for widening of Custer Avenue between N. 
Montana Avenue and N. Washington Street includes four travel lanes with 
a median/turn lane and bicycle/pedestrian envelopes. Final design will 
determine the exact configuration.
    [sbull] Construction of two auxiliary lanes (each direction) on I-
15 between Custer Avenue and the Capitol interchange plus appropriate 
transitions for adding and dropping the auxiliary lanes (to be 
determined in final design).
    [sbull] Minor realignment of east side Frontage Road at Custer 
Avenue.
    [sbull] Replacement of the twin I-15 bridges over the Montana Rail 
Link railroad.
    [sbull] Supporting elements:
    [sbull] Montana City interchange improvements
    [sbull] Connect west side Frontage Road between Montana City and 
Colonial Drive
    [sbull] Broadway underpass for pedestrian and bicycle use
    [sbull] Widen Cedar Street to five lanes from I-15 to N. Montana 
Avenue
    [sbull] Lincoln Road interchange improvements
    The FHWA, MDT, and other local agencies invite interested 
individuals, organizations, and Federal, State, and local agencies to 
comment on the evaluated alternatives and associated social, economic, 
or environmental impacts and mitigation measures related to the 
alternatives.

    Issued on: November 10, 2003.
Dale W. Paulson,
Program Development Engineer, Montana Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, Helena, Montana.
[FR Doc. 03-28740 Filed 11-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M