[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 75 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 20961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8619]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement: 
Rutherford County, NC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement will be 
prepared for a proposed highway project in Rutherford County, North 
Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Emily O. 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 an 
environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) 
addressing proposed improvements to the U.S. 221 corridor from U.S. 74 
Bypass to SR 1355 (Mountain Creek Road) in Rutherford County. The 
proposed action would involve the construction of a multi-lane divided, 
controlled access highway, possibly on new location. The proposed 
project will be approximately 12.3 miles long depending on the 
alternative chosen. The proposed facility is considered necessary to 
reduce congestion, improve safety, and improve travel time for traffic 
using the U.S. 221 corridor in the vicinity of Rutherfordton. The 
proposed action is consistent with the thoroughfare plan approved by 
the towns of Rutherfordton and Spindale, Rutherford County, and the 
North Carolina Department of Transportation.
    Alternatives under consideration include:

1. Do-Nothing
2. Alternative Modes of Transportation
3. Construction on New Alignment
4. Improve existing U.S. 221

    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have 
been sent to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies. Public 
information meetings, meetings with local officials, and a public 
hearing will be held. Information on the time and place of the public 
information meetings and public hearing will be provided in the local 
news media. The EA or draft EIS will be available for public and agency 
review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    To ensure the full range of issues related to the proposed action 
are addressed and all significant issues 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 Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued on: April 5, 2004.
Emily O. Lawton,
Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Raleigh, North 
Carolina.
[FR Doc. 04-8619 Filed 4-16-04; 8:45 am]
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