[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 29 (Monday, February 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7543-7544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2764]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: U.S. 127 N/S.R. 28, Cumberland 
and Fentress Counties, TN

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) will be prepared for a proposed highway project in Cumberland and 
Fentress Counties, Tennessee.

[[Page 7544]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Brian K. Brasher, Acting Field 
Operations Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration--Tennessee 
Division Office, 640 Grassmere Park Road, Suite 112, Nashville 37211, 
Telephone: 615-781-5763

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Tennessee 
Department of Transportation (TDOT), will prepare an EIS on a proposal 
to improve U.S. 127/S.R. 28 in Cumberland and Fentress Counties, 
Tennessee. The proposed project will improve U.S. 127N/S.R. 28 between 
I-40 at Crossville and S.R. 62 at Clarkrange, a distance of 
approximately 14 miles. Improvements to the corridor are considered 
necessary to provide for existing and projected traffic demand, improve 
safety, and help achieve existing local and regional economic 
development goals.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) Taking no action; (2) 
widening the existing two-lane highway to five lanes along the existing 
alignment; (3) widening the existing two-lane highway to five lanes at 
the project beginning and end and widening to four lanes between the 
two proposed five-lane sections; and (4) constructing a four-lane 
section on new location west of the existing highway from north of 
Tabor Loop to south of Clear Creek then rejoining the existing highway 
alignment and improving it to four lanes to just south of Clarkrange, 
where it would transition to a new five-lane section along the existing 
roadway.
    The alternatives development, screening process, Citizens' Resource 
Team input, and current project public involvement process will be 
incorporated into the NEPA process. A Public Involvement Plan has been 
developed to include the public in the project development process. The 
plan proposes utilizing the following outreach efforts to provide 
information and solicit input: Newsletters, the Internet, e-mail, 
informal meetings, public information meetings and other efforts as 
necessary and appropriate. As part of the scoping process federal, 
state, and local agencies and officials; private organizations; 
citizens; and interest groups will have an opportunity to provide input 
into the development of the EIS and identify issues of concern. It is 
anticipated that one formal agency scoping meeting will be held. A 
public hearing will be held upon completion of the Draft EIS and public 
notice will be given of the time and place of the hearing. A toll-free 
information line and a Web site have already been put in place for the 
project.
    The Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be available for 
public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions 
are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions 
concerning the proposed action should be directed to the FHWA contact 
person identified above at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this proposed program.)
    Issued on: February 8, 2005.
Brian K. Brasher,
Acting Field Operations Team Leader.
[FR Doc. 05-2764 Filed 2-11-05; 8:45 am]
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