[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54842-54843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20519]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Kane, Kendall, and Grundy 
Counties, IL

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 Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
project in Kane, Kendall, and Grundy Counties, Illinois. The planned 
EIS will evaluate potential transportation improvement alternatives for 
serving north-south travel between Interstate 88 and Interstate 80.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Norman R. Stoner, P.E., Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, 3250 Executive Park Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, 
Phone: (217) 492-4600.
John P. Kos, P.E., District Engineer, Illinois Department of 
Transportation, 700 East Norris Drive, Ottawa, Illinois 61350-0697, 
Phone: (815) 434-6131.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois 
Department of Transportation will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) on potential transportation improvements to serve 
north-south travel between Interstate 88 and Interstate 80 in Kane, 
Kendall, and Grundy Counties. The project is commonly referred to as 
the Prairie Parkway project. The study area will include Kendall County 
(all), Kane County (townships within the area south of IL 64) and 
Grundy County (townships north of the Illinois River). The study area 
also will include portions of bordering counties, including: Will 
County (townships south of I-88 and west of I-55); La Salle County 
(townships adjacent to the eastern county limits and north of the 
Illinois River); and DeKalb County (townships adjacent to the eastern 
county limits and south of IL 64.
    The proposed project is intended to improve regional mobility, 
address local road system deficiencies, improve access to regional 
jobs, and improve

[[Page 54843]]

safety. Primary environmental resources that may be affected are: 
agricultural land, wetlands, and strems. Compatibility with local 
development plans and context sensitivity are important considerations.
    Alternatives under consideration include the no action, 
transportation system management (TSM)/travel demand management (TDM), 
new freeway/expressway, existing arterial improvement, and transit 
alternatives. The mode, project type, location, and length of the 
alternatives evaluated will be identified based on the results of 
alternatives studies.
    The scoping process undertaken as part of this proposed project 
will include distribution of a scoping information packet, coordination 
with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, including an 
agency scoping meeting to be held on October 13, 2004 at 10 a.m. at the 
Illinois Department of Transportation, 700 East Norris Drive, Ottawa, 
Illinois. A study group comprised of local officials, environmental 
organizations, and other community interest groups has been established 
to provide input during the development of the purpose and need and 
alternatives analyses. Further details of the proposed project and a 
scoping information packet may be obtained from one of the contact 
persons listed above.
    To help ensure that the full range of issues related to this 
proposed project are identified and all substantive issues are 
addressed, a comprehensive public involvement program is underway. It 
includes meetings with advisory committees, resource agencies, local 
officials, and interest groups; public informational meetings and 
workshops; newsletters; an Internet web site; and focus groups. Public 
notice will be given of the time and the place of all public meetings 
and the public hearing. The Draft EIS will be available for public 
review, and comments and suggestions are invited from all interested 
parties.
    Comments or questions concerning this proposed project and the 
Draft EIS should be directed to the FHWA or the Illinois Department of 
Transportation at the addresses 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: September 3, 2004.
J.D. Stevenson,
Environmental Programs Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 
Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 04-20519 Filed 9-9-04; 8:45 am]
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