[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 17, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12731-12732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5964]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Forsyth County, NC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for the 
consolidated Winston-Salem Northern Beltway proposed highway projects 
in Forsyth County, North Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Emily Lawton, Operations Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, 310 New Bern Avenue, Suite 410, 
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601, Telephone: (919) 856-4350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the North 
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), will prepare a draft 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on the consolidated Northern 
Beltway proposed highway projects (Western Section, Eastern Section, 
and Eastern Section Extension) of Winston-Salem in Forsyth County. The 
proposed action would be the construction of a multi-lane divided, 
controlled access highway on new location from US 158 southwest of 
Winston-Salem to US 311 southeast of Winston-Salem. A Final 
Environmental Impact Statement on the Western Section, the portion from 
US 158 southwest of Winston-Salem to US 52 northwest of Winston-Salem 
(FHWA-NC-EIS-92-06-F), was approved by FHWA on 14 March 1996. The 
Western Section will improve north-south connectivity in western 
Forsyth County, provide improved direct regional connections to other 
major highways, and relieve congestion on roadways in western Forsyth 
County. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Eastern Section, 
the portion of the facility from US 52 northwest of Winston-Salem to US 
421 east of Winston-Salem (FHWA-NC-EIS-95-04-D), was approved by FHWA 
on 14 September 1995. The Eastern Section together with the Eastern 
Section Extension will serve regional traffic by improving system 
linkage and continuity, relieving congestion on major highways 
including US 52 and US 421, and by providing the route for future I-74. 
The proposed action is a part of the 1987 Winston-Salem/Forsyth County 
Thoroughfare Plan. In addition, the projects together will provide a 
northern loop highway in accordance with the 1989 North Carolina 
Highway Trust Fund Act.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) The ``no-build'', (2) 
improving existing facilities, (3) transportation demand management and 
transportation system management alternatives; (4) mass transit 
alternatives; and (5) a controlled access highway on new location.

[[Page 12732]]

    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies. A public 
meeting and meetings with local officials and neighborhood groups will 
be held in the study area. A public hearing will also be held. 
Information on the time and place of the public hearing will be 
provided in the local news media. The supplemental draft EIS will be 
available for public and agency review and comment at the time of the 
hearing. No formal scoping meeting is planned at this time.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments and questions concerning the proposed action 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.)

    Issued on: March 3, 2004.
Emily Lawton,
Operations Engineer, Raleigh, North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 04-5964 Filed 3-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M