[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 74 (Friday, April 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20661-20662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8607]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Fairbanks, AK

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Alaska Department of 
Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a 
proposed transportation improvement project on University Avenue in 
Fairbanks, Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edrie Vinson, Environmental Project 
Manager, Federal Highway Administration, Alaska Division Office, 709 W. 
9th Street, Room 851, P.O. Box 21648, Juneau, Alaska 99802-1648. 
Telephone (907) 586-7464. Janet Brown, P.E., Project Manager, Alaska 
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Preliminary Design 
& Environmental, 2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-5399. 
Telephone (907) 451-2283.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to 
rehabilitate and widen University Avenue was prepared in July 1988,a 
Final EIS (FEIS) was approved June 30, 1991, and the FHWA issued a 
Record of Decision (ROD) in August of 1991.
    The Selected Alternative in the ROD would reconstruct University 
Avenue in Fairbanks, Alaska between the Mitchell Expressway and Thomas 
Street, a distance of 21 miles. University Avenue was to be 
reconstructed with a two-way center turn lane (16-feet wide) over much 
of the alignment. A raised center meridian with left turn pockets was 
designed for 33% of the roadway. This alternative included 8-foot 
shoulders with a combined 10-foot wide pedestrian/bike path on the west 
and a 5-foot wide sidewalk on the east of University Avenue. The Chena 
River Bridge widening was a rehabilitation of the existing structure. 
The Geraghty Avenue intersection was to be moved 150-feet north, to 
provide a greater separation from the intersection with Airport Way.
    The project as approved was never built. Since that time the 
ADOT&PF has determined to maximize the use of existing right-of-way, 
and reduce environmental impacts by minimizing the total project 
footprint. Safety would be improved by reducing direct access to some 
locations along University. Such changes to the project require the 
preparation of a Supplemental EIS. These proposed changes include a 
continuous raised meridian over 89% of the roadway with left turn lanes 
only at the 12 intersections; narrowing the pedestrian/bike path to 8 
feet in width; replacing the Chena River Bridge; and constructing a 
grade separated Alaska Railroad crossing over University Avenue. 
Elevating the railroad would require the closing of the Fairbanks 
Street entrance to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and replacement 
with a pedestrian/bike path and tunnel under the railroad. Additional 
improvements proposed include making Geraghty Avenue a right turn in 
and right turn out intersection in its current location and the Airport 
Avenue frontage road would end in a cul-de-sac. Halvorson Road would be 
extended 720 feet northward to Wolf Run and Indiana Avenue would be 
relocated 160 feet to the south. Intersection improvements would be 
added at Airport Way and Geist Road/Johansen Expressway.
    The Supplemental EIS will update the analyses of all the reasonable 
alternatives evaluated in the FEIS, including the alternative 
previously identified as the Preferred Alternative.
    Announcements describing the SEIS process and requesting comments 
will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. Public notices will also be 
published in local newspapers. Public and agency scoping meetings will 
be announced and held in Fairbanks, Alaska. A public hearing will be 
held after approval of the SEIS. Public notice will be given of the 
time and place of the hearing. The SEIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues

[[Page 20662]]

identified, written public input, comments and suggestions on 
environmental issues or concerns related to the proposed improvements 
are invited from all interested parties. Comments should be submitted 
to the Federal Highway Administration or the Alaska Department of 
Transportation and Public Facilities at the addresses provided above by 
May 30, 2004.

(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: April 8, 2004.
Karen A. Schmidt,
Assistant Division Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-8607 Filed 4-15-04; 8:45 am]
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