[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 55211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20593]



[[Page 55211]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Jefferson County, NY

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 will be prepared for the proposed 
highway project in Jefferson County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. Carey Babyak P.E., Regional 
Director, 317 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601, Telephone: (315) 
785-2333; or Robert Arnold, Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, New York division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th 
Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12207, 
Telephone: (518) 431-4127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York 
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve the 
transportation link between Interstate Route 81 and U.S. Route 11 north 
of the City of Watertown, in Jefferson County, New York. The proposed 
improvement would involve the construction of a new highway or the 
reconstruction of an existing highway in the towns of Pamelia and LeRay 
for a distance of about 7.7 kilometers (4.8 miles). Improvements to the 
corridor are considered necessary to provide for the existing and 
projected operational needs of the Fort Drum Army Base, address current 
and projected highway capacity issues, and enhance the traffic safety 
of the transportation system.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) 
creating a new interchange and alignment north of exit 48 on Interstate 
Route 81; (3) improving the interchange at exit 48 on Interstate Route 
81 and reconstructing the existing highway network; and (4) rebuilding 
the interchange at exit 47 and creating a new alignment south of exit 
48 on Interstate Route 81. Incorporated into and studied with the 
various build alternatives will be design variations of grade and 
alignment.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and 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 the Towns of Pamelia and LeRay between September, 2004 and 
December, 2005. In addition, at least one public hearing will be held. 
Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and 
hearings. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment. No formal NEPA scoping meeting is planned at this time.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposal 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the NYSDOT or 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: September 1, 2004.
David W. Nardone,
Senior Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New 
York.
[FR Doc. 04-20593 Filed 9-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M