[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39001-39002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13240]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Sussex County, Delaware

AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Delaware 
Department of Transportation (DelDOT).

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 a proposed 
highway improvement project in eastern Sussex County, Delaware.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert F. Kleinburd, Realty and 
Environmental Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, Delaware 
Division, J. Allen Frear Federal Building, 300 South New Street, Room 
2101, Dover, DE 19904; Telephone: (302) 734-2966; or Mr. Donald Plows, 
P.E., Project Manager, Delaware Department of Transportation, 800 Bay 
Road, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903; Telephone: (302) 760-2524. DelDOT 
Public Relations office (800) 652-5600 (in DE only) or (302) 760-2080.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 
in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Transportation

[[Page 39002]]

(DelDOT), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to 
consider additional north-south capacity either as a new facility on 
new alignment or widened existing facility, west of Coastal Highway (SR 
1). The project study limits are generally bound by Old Landing Road 
(CR 274) to the south, Red Mill Pond at SR 1 to the north, SR 1 to the 
east and Love Creek to the west. Access limitations will be considered 
during the course of the study. Because of the potential for a new 
alignment alternative, access restrictions and the resulting potential 
for significant impacts on the human and natural environment, the FHWA 
has determined that an EIS is the appropriate documentation for any 
corridor changes that may be selected.
    The study of transportation changes in eastern Sussex County was 
introduced in the DelDOT sponsored State Route 1 Grid Study, 1999. As 
part of the Phase I recommendations, a network of secondary road 
connections was proposed. As part of the State Route 1 Grid Study, 
Phase II, a recommendation to create a new roadway connection between 
SR 1 west of Five Points, south to Route 9 was made. The new roadway 
connection was proposed to meet one of the new secondary road 
connections of the Phase I study, creating a new roadway corridor west 
of Plantation Road from Route 1 north of Five Points to south of Old 
Landing Road.
    Subsequent to the SR 1 Grid Study, DelDOT and Sussex County jointly 
conducted the SR 1 Land Use & Transportation Study (LUTS), August 2003. 
The stated objective of this study was ``* * * to effectively address 
joint interests in the transportation systems and land use for the 
Rehoboth/Lewes area.'' The SR 1 LUTS overall objectives were to 
increase the mobility of area residents by developing alternative 
roadway links and connections; provide a variety of ways to travel; 
reduce congestion; improve safety, maintain the character of the study 
area, and gain public acceptance of the study recommendations. The 
centerpiece long-term recommendation of the SR 1 LUTS was a new 
controlled access parkway west of Route 1 that would run from northwest 
of Five Points to Country Club Road (CR 273).
    A program of public involvement and coordination with Federal, 
State, and local agencies has been initiated. Both agency and public 
involvement will continue throughout project development. Comments are 
being solicited from 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 scoping meetings 
will be held. Additional informational meetings will be scheduled 
during the course of the study. In addition, a formal public hearing 
will be held after the draft EIS has been prepared. Public notice will 
be given of the time and place of the scoping meetings, and the formal 
public hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency 
review and comment prior to the public hearing on the draft EIS.
    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 or DelDOT at the addresses 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 program)

    Issued by: June 29, 2005.
Raymond J. McCormick,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Dover, 
Delaware.
[FR Doc. 05-13240 Filed 7-5-05; 8:45 am]
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