[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 97 (Friday, May 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29375-29376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10055]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Nueces County, TX

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 the proposed 
U.S. Highway (US) 181 Harbor Bridge replacement highway project in 
Nueces County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John R. Mack, P.E. District Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration--Texas Division, 300 East 8th Street, 
Austin, Texas 78701. Telephone: 512-536-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas 
Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) for a proposal to replace the existing US 181 
Harbor Bridge in Nueces County, Texas. The proposed improvement would 
involve replacement of the existing Harbor Bridge and approaches where 
US 181 crosses the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, a roadway distance of 
approximately 2.25 miles.
    The need for the proposed bridge improvements is based on a number 
of identified deficiencies in the existing structure, including high 
maintenance

[[Page 29376]]

costs, safety issues, capacity needs, shipping height restrictions, and 
connectivity to adjacent areas. The purpose of the improvements is to 
address these deficiencies while identifying future plans for the US 
181 roadway structure and the area it serves.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action, and 
(2) replacing the existing US 181 Harbor Bridge and approach roads with 
a facility built to current highway standards. A Feasibility Study 
prepared in 2003 evaluated four corridor alternatives along existing 
and new location right-of-way and a No-Build alternative, resulting in 
the identification of a recommended study corridor. A reasonable number 
of alignment alternatives will be identified and evaluated in the EIS, 
as well as the No-Build Alternative, based on input from federal, 
state, and local agencies, as well as private organizations and 
concerned citizens.
    Impacts caused by the construction and operation of the proposed 
improvements would vary according to the alternative alignment 
utilized. Generally, impacts would include the following: Impacts to 
residences and businesses, including potential relocation; impacts to 
parkland; transportation impacts (construction detours, construction 
traffic, and mobility improvement); air and noise impacts from 
construction equipment and operation of the roadway; social and 
economic impacts, including impacts to minority and low-income 
residents; impacts to historic cultural resources; water quality 
impacts from construction and roadway runoff; and impacts to waters of 
the U.S. including wetlands from right-of-way encroachment.
    A letter that describes the proposed action and a request for 
comments will be sent to appropriate federal, state, and local 
agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously 
expressed interest in the proposal. TxDOT completed a Feasibility Study 
for the project in June 2003. In conjunction with the Feasibility 
Study, TxDOT developed a public involvement plan, sponsored three 
citizens' advisory committee (CAC) meetings, held two public meetings, 
and distributed two newsletters. An agency scoping meeting will be held 
by TxDOT on June 23, 2005 to brief agency representatives on project 
plans, introduce project team members, obtain comments pertaining to 
the scope of the EIS, identify important issues, set goals, and respond 
to questions. A continuing public involvement program will include a 
project mailing list, project newsletters, a June 23, 2005 public 
scoping meeting (public notice will be given of the time and place), 
and numerous informal meetings with interested citizens and 
stakeholders. In addition, a public hearing will be held after the 
publication of the Draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time 
and place of 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 regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program)

    Issued on: May 10, 2005.
John R. Mack,
District Engineer, Austin, Texas.
[FR Doc. 05-10055 Filed 5-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M