[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2809-2810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1131]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Dallas and Ellis Counties, Texas

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a 
change in the study limits of an Environmental Impact Statement being 
prepared for a proposed transportation project in Dallas and Ellis 
Counties, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Salvador Deocampo, District 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 300 East 8th Street, Room 
826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone 512-536-5950.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and the Dallas County Department 
of Public Works, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
on the proposal to build Loop 9, a new location highway, from US 287 to 
IH 20 in Southern Dallas and Northern Ellis Counties. A previous 
notice, published in the Federal and State Registers identified the 
study limits as SH 360 to IH 20. Due to changes in the proposed 
alignment location in the vicinity of SH 360, the study limits have 
been changed from ``SH 360 to IH 20'' to ``US 287 to IH 20''. The study 
corridor is still approximately 40 miles.
    From a regional perspective, there is still a great demand for 
additional east-west transportation capacity and access throughout the 
limits of the corridor. Over the last 30 years, this area has 
experienced tremendous growth and has more than quadrupled in 
population. A Major Investment Study (MIS) will be integrated with the 
EIS. The Loop 9 facility is included in the Mobility 2025 Update: The 
Metropolitan Transportation Plan as a new location staged parkway 
calling for the preservation of right-of-way through this corridor. The 
environmental study will examine viable alternatives and potential 
transportation modes including the No-Build; Transportation

[[Page 2810]]

Systems Management/Congestion Management Systems; controlled access 
freeway and other potential options. It will also include extensive and 
continuous public involvement to address the long-term mobility needs 
of both the region and local communities. The environmental study will 
include the determination of the number of lanes (four to six are 
anticipated), roadway configuration and operational characteristics. It 
will also include a discussion of the effects on the social, economic, 
and natural environments and of other known and reasonably foreseeable 
agency actions proposed within the Loop 9 study corridor.
    A public scoping meeting was held in June of 2003. This was the 
first in a series of meetings to solicit public comments on the 
proposed action during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
process. In addition, a public hearing will be held following the 
approval of the Draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time and 
place of the meetings and the hearing. The Draft EIS will be available 
for public and agency review and comment before the public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
section 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 Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)
    Dated: January 7, 2004.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer, Austin, Texas.
[FR Doc. 04-1131 Filed 1-16-04; 8:45 am]
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