[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 13 (Friday, January 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 3248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1090]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Shelby County, TN

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 a 
supplement to a Final Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared 
for a proposed highway project in Shelby County, Tennessee.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Boyd, Field Operations Team 
Leader, Federal Highway Administration, 640 Grassmere Park Road, Suite 
112, Nashville, Tennessee 37211, Telephone: (615) 781-5770.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Tennessee 
Department of Transportation, the City of Memphis, and Shelby County, 
Tennessee, will prepare a supplement to the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the proposed Kirby Parkway in Shelby County, 
Tennessee. The original EIS for the Kirby Parkway project, a new north-
south route in the East Memphis area (FHWA-TN-EIS-86-02-F) was approved 
on August 21, 1991. The proposed route, which begins at Split Oak Drive 
and proceeds northward approximately 10 miles to Stage Road, would 
consist of improving some existing roads and some construction on new 
alignment. The project would provide two to three traffic lanes in each 
direction and either a continuous center lane or a raised median with 
turning lanes.
    The EIS supplement will be prepared for Kirby Parkway from I-240 
north to I-40. The portion of the project from Macon Road south of I-40 
to Stage Road north of I-40 has been constructed and opened to traffic. 
A Walnut Grove Road bridge over the Wolf River has been designed and 
will be constructed beginning in 2005. The segment from Walnut Grove 
Road at the Wolf River to Macon Road, passing through Shelby Farms, has 
not been designed and will be reassessed to determine if a new route 
location farther to the west would be appropriate. This alignment shift 
through Shelby Farms will be considered in response to public comments 
and to minimize potential adverse effects. The purpose for preparing 
the EIS supplement is to determine whether there are new circumstances 
in the project area and to study modified alternative alignments to 
determine whether new significant impacts would occur as a result of 
the modification to the proposed project.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action to 
construct a new facility between Walnut Grove Road and Macon Road; (2) 
constructing a multi-lane highway on the approved location; and (3) 
constructing a multi-lane highway partially on the approved location 
and on new location through Shelby Farms. Various design options of 
grade, alignment, and typical section will be incorporated into and 
studied with the proposed build alternatives. Roadway design will be in 
conformance with the major road plan for Shelby County. The primary 
purpose of the proposed project is to relieve congestion in the East 
Memphis area.
    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 or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. Public meetings are planned 
for February and July of 2005. In addition, a public hearing will be 
held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meeting 
and hearing. The draft Supplemental EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing. No formal 
scoping meeting will be held.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
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 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 of Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)
    Issued on: January 13, 2005.
Laurie Schroeder,
Assistant Division Administrator, Nashville, Tennessee.
[FR Doc. 05-1090 Filed 1-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P