[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 49 (Friday, March 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11938-11939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5622]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Queens County, NY

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), United States Department 
of Transportation (USDOT).

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for improvements 
to a section of the Long Island Expressway (I-495), approximately 1,800 
meters (5900 ft) in length, in the vicinity of its interchanges with 
the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) and Grand Central Parkway (Route 907-M) 
in Queens County, New York. The EIS will study and document proposed 
roadway and bridge improvements, including the possible rehabilitation 
or replacement of six vehicular bridges and four pedestrian bridges. 
These changes are being considered to ensure structural integrity and 
extend the service life of existing bridges, and to improve traffic 
operations, and safety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Douglas Currey, Regional Director, New York State Department of 
Transportation, Region 11, Hunters Point Plaza, 47-40 21st Street, Long 
Island City, New York 11101 Telephone: (718) 482-4526, or
Robert Arnold, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
New York Division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, Room 719, Clinton 
Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12207, Telephone (518) 
431-4125.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Title 23, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 771, Environmental Impact and Related Procedures, the 
FHWA, in cooperation with the New York State Department of 
Transportation (NYSDOT), will prepare an EIS in accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), on alternatives and 
modifications for the Long Island Expressway (LIE), the Van Wyck 
Expressway (VWE), and the Grand Central Parkway (GCP), in the area 
generally bounded by Main Street to the east, 108th Street to the west, 
and the connecting ramps and collector-distributor roads of the LIE 
interchange with the VWE and the GCP to the north and south.
    The EIS will assess the potential impacts and costs associated with 
a range of build alternatives. In addition, it will consider a No Build 
Alternative that will serve as the baseline against which the other 
alternatives will be measured. The No Build Alternative includes only 
continued maintenance of the involved structures and roadways. It would 
not change their physical

[[Page 11939]]

configuration or correct design deficiencies.
    At a minimum, the current project will examine three build 
alternatives that were identified in the Expanded Project Proposal 
(EOO). Build Alternative 1 would correct deficiencies on the existing 
bridges in the study area that would provide small changes to the 
physical configuration of the roadway. The alternative would not 
mitigate the problems related to traffic operations and safety. Build 
Alternatives 2 and 3 propose significant roadway modifications, 
including new and/or relocated ramp connections at the LIE-GCP 
interchange, improvements at the intersection of College Point 
Boulevard and the LIE service roads, and rehabilitation of existing 
bridges. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will address the traffic operations 
and safety problems.
    To ensure the full range of issues related to the proposed action 
are identified and addressed, a series of scoping activities will be 
conducted. specific activities will include coordination with involved 
agencies; briefings and elected officials, community boards, and 
community groups. A Public Scoping Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 
May 5, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. at the Forest Hills High School Auditorium, 
67-01 110 Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Information about the Scoping 
Meeting, including location, and agenda, will be provided through media 
releases and another notifications to interested groups. The meeting 
will provide the public with information about the project and an 
opportunity to assist in formulating the scope of the environmental 
studies to be conducted in the DEIS. Comments are invited from all 
interested parties. Oral and written comments on the project and the 
scope of the DEIS will be accepted at the meeting; comments can also be 
submited in writing by mail or e-mail up to 30 days after the date of 
the scoping meeting. All written comments received by that date will be 
included in the official record of the meeting. Comments or questions 
concerning this proposed action and the DEIS should be directed to 
NYSDOT or FHWA at the addresses above.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, local agencies and to private 
organizations and citizens who have previously expressed interest in 
this proposal. A series of public information meetings will be held in 
Queens County, New York between July 2004 and April 2006. In addition, 
a Public Hearing will be held after publication of the DEIS to obtain 
comments on the document. Public notice will be given of the time and 
place of the DEIS Public Housing.

(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.)

    Authority:  23 U.S.C.. 315; 23 CFR 771.123.

Robert Arnold,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New 
York.
[FR Doc. 04-5622 Filed 3-11-04; 8:45 am]
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