[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 246 (Thursday, December 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 76971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28099]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: JR 89/Fanny Bridge Improvements, 
Tahoe City, Placer County, CA

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 Tahoe City, Placer County, California. The Tahoe Regional 
Planning Agency (TRPA) has determined that an EIS/EIS/EIR is required 
to analyze the potential impacts pursuant to the TRPA Code of 
Ordinances, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the proposed 
transportation project associated with SR 89/Fanny Bridge traffic 
congestion.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leland W. Dong, Senior Project 
Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 650 Capitol Mall, 
Suite 4-100, Sacramento, CA 95814-4708. Telephone: (916) 498-5860, e-
mail: [email protected]. The local agency contact is Jennifer 
Hannum, Associate Transportation Planner, Transportation Division, 
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, P.O. Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89449. 
Telephone: (775) 588-4547, ext: 297, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Currently, there is excessive traffic 
congestion associated with pedestrian movement on and across Fanny 
Bridge. In addition, the Fanny Bridge structure is nearing the end of 
its design life and needs to be replaced or undergo extensive 
maintenance repairs. The purpose of the SR 89/Fanny Bridge project is 
to (1) rectify the traffic congestion near the SR 89 Wye, and (2) 
repair or replace Fanny Bridge. This proposed project includes the 
following alternatives:
    1. No project. Continue maintenance or even heavy maintenance of 
Fanny Bridge (other than replace piers or replace deck). This may also 
include near-term modifications to the Wye or pedestrian crossing in 
the vicinity of the bridge.
    2. Widen/replace existing bridge. Includes downstream widening, 
with a possible inclusion of a roundabout vs. use of a traffic signal 
at existing Wye. As part of evaluation of potential mitigation 
measures, provisions for a pedestrian overpass or underpass will be 
considered.
    3. repair existing bridge, provide adjacent pedestrian bridge(s), 
prohibit pedestrians on existing bridge. Include a new pedestrian 
bridge immediately upstream from Fanny Bridge, and possibly one 
immediately downstream as well. A roundabout vs. traffic signal at the 
existing Wye to also be evaluated.
    4. New alignment, close SR 89. Provide new alignment for SR 89 to a 
new Wye intersection (either configured similar to existing Wye or 
configured with a roundabout) at a location about \1/4\ mile south of 
the existing Wye. Provide bicycle trail underpass of new alignment on 
north shore of Truckee River. Provide a second roundabout where the 
relocated SR 89 rejoins the existing highway with third approach 
serving only recreational parking. Close existing SR 89 to through 
traffic and evaluate a roundabout vs. signal at existing Wye.
    5. New alignment, keep old 89 open. Provide new alignment for SR 89 
to a new Wye intersection (either configured similar to existing Wye or 
configured with a roundabout) at a location about \1/4\ mile southwest 
of the existing Wye. Provide bicycle trail underpass of new alignment 
on north shore of Truckee River. Provide a second roundabout where the 
relocated SR 89 rejoins the existing highway with a third approach 
serving only recreational parking. (No change in access to existing 
recreational parking area from existing SR 89). Roundabout vs. signal 
at existing Wye to be evaluated. Existing SR 89 used as a local access 
only.
    Public scoping meetings as well as community advisory committee 
meetings were conducted in August 2003, March 2004, April 2004, and May 
2004 in the Tahoe City community. No additional formal scoping is 
planned, however, there will be continued public involvement as the 
project is developed. The alternatives being examined in the 
environmental documentation are the direct outcome of those public 
meetings. A copy of the Draft EIS/EIS/EIR will be available on the 
project Web site, http://www.fannybridge.com, when it becomes 
available.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all major 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 FHWA 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: December 13, 2004.
Leland W. Dong,
Senior Project Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 
Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 04-28099 Filed 12-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M