[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 27 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7140-7141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2567]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Clark County, Nevada

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 a proposed freeway 
corridor improvement project in the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, 
Nevada.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ted Bendure, Environmental Program 
Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 705 N. Plaza, Suite 220, 
Carson City, NV 89701; Telephone: 775-687-5322, E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Nevada 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve a portion of the Interstate 15 
Corridor near the downtown area in the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, 
Nevada. The proposed project would involve improvements to the I-15 
Corridor and major street connections beginning south of the I-15/
Sahara Avenue Interchange at Milepost 39.15 and continue to the I-15/US 
95 Interchange (Milepost 42.85) on the north end. The project covers a 
total distance of approximately 3.7 miles on I-15.
    The project (known as Project NEON) analyzes transportation needs 
and improvement opportunities in the I-15 freeway corridor section 
south of the I-

[[Page 7141]]

15/US System Interchange. The I-15 Corridor serves the Western United 
States by linking southern California and Salt Lake City, and points to 
the north. The I-15 Corridor also serves the Las Vegas Valley as a 
primary transportation link through central Las Vegas. Significant 
population growth in the Las Vegas Valley, projected to increase by 
approximately 60 percent from 2003 to 2030, will increase traffic 
volumes and local commuter traffic passing through this corridor. The 
projected population growth, associated development, and increasing 
tourism and gaming will place significant demand on the I-15 Corridor 
and connections to US 95. The purpose of this project is to meet the 
short- and long-term transportation needs of Las Vegas and motorists 
traveling through Las Vegas, specifically to provide improved 
transportation in response to regional growth, decrease congestion, 
enhance mobility, and provide access to the downtown area. Both 
existing congestion and projected increases in traffic necessitate 
consideration of the proposed improvements.
    The envisioned project includes several major components, 
including: adding lanes and improving freeway and mass transit 
operations between Sahara Avenue and the I-15/US 95 Interchange; 
reconstructing the I-15/Charleston Boulevard Interchange; providing new 
I-15 freeway access to the City of Las Vegas's Downtown Redevelopment 
Area; extending Martin Luther King Boulevard over I-15 and Charleston 
Boulevard to connect with Industrial Road; and potential grade 
separation improvements to Oakey Boulevard east of the I-15 Corridor. 
The EIS will consider the effects of the proposed project, the No 
Action alternative, and other alternatives to the proposed project.
    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 project. A project scoping meeting will 
be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 23, 2005 with the appropriate 
agencies and the general public. In addition, public information 
meetings will be held throughout the duration of the project and a 
public hearing will be held for the draft EIS. Public notices will be 
given announcing the time and place of the public meetings and the 
hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment prior to the public hearing.
    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 regulation 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)


    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123

    Issued on: February 4, 2005.
Greg Novak,
Acting Assistant Division Administrator, FHWA, Nevada Division.
[FR Doc. 05-2567 Filed 2-9-05; 8:45 am]
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