[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 32 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8134-8135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3079]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Loudoun, Fauquier, Fairfax, 
Prince William, and Stafford Counties, VA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to 
advise the public of its intent to withdraw a notice of intent to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in cooperating with the 
Virginia Department of Transportation for potential transportation 
improvements in the western portion of Northern Virginia, between Route 
7 in Loudoun County and Interstate 95 in Stafford County, to address 
growing regional transportation needs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward S. Sundra, Senior Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, Post Office Box 10249, 
Richmond, Virginia 23240-0249, Telephone 804-775-3338.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 19, 2000, the Federal Highway 
Administration published a notice of intent in the Federal Register (69 
FR 79450, December 19, 2000) to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation 
for potential transportation improvements in the western portion of 
Northern Virginia. The project, more commonly known as the Western 
Transportation Corridor, was proposed to be located between Route 7 in 
Loudoun County and Interstate 95 in Stafford County and was being 
developed to address growing regional transportation needs. However, 
like many other states in the country, the Commonwealth of Virginia has 
had to deal with budgetary and fiscal priorities brought about by the 
economic recession. As a result, the Virginia Department of 
Transportation stopped development of the Western Transportation 
Corridor and terminated the consultant contract in 2003 for the 
preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement.

[[Page 8135]]

    Despite the termination of the consultant contact, the Virginia 
Department of Transportation considered other options that might lead 
to the development of the Western Transportation Corridor. In 2004, the 
Virginia Department of Transportation put out a request to the private 
sector soliciting their interest in developing the Western 
Transportation Corridor. The solicitation did not elicit any interest, 
so the Virginia Department of Transportation will not continue to 
pursue the development of the Western Transportation Corridor at this 
time or the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.

(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 action.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: February 8, 2005.
Edward S. Sundra,
Senior Environmental Specialist.
[FR Doc. 05-3079 Filed 2-16-05; 8:45 am]
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