[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44716-44717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15270]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement Seattle, WA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), USDOT.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this revised notice of intent to update 
the public, Tribes, and agencies of changes made to the previous notice 
of intent for a proposed highway project along SR 99 in Seattle, King 
County, Washington. The previous notice of intent was published in the 
Federal Register on September 26, 2003. It announced that a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be prepared for the Alaskan 
Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project. The Draft EIS for the 
Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project was published March 
31, 2004. Since the Draft EIS was issued, the project's purpose and 
need statement has been revised to include access and safety 
improvements from the Battery Street Tunnel north to Roy Street.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan Hall (FHWA) 711 South Capitol 
Way, Suite 501, Olympia, Washington, 98501 (telephone 360-753-8079); 
Kathryn Stenberg, WSDOT Urban Corridors Office, 999 Third Avenue, Suite 
2424, Seattle, Washington, 98104 (telephone 206-382-5279).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, Washington State Department of 
Transportation (WSDOT), in cooperation with the City of Seattle will 
prepare a supplemental draft EIS and a final environmental impact 
statement documenting the environmental impacts for improvements 
proposed along the existing SR 99 corridor now partially served by the 
Alaskan Way Viaduct and Alaskan Way Seawall located in downtown 
Seattle, King County, Washington. The Alaskan Way Viaduct is one of two 
primary north-south limited access routes through downtown Seattle and 
is a vital link in the region's roadway system. The Alaskan Way Seawall 
provides supports for the soils that hold up the viaduct's foundations.
    Since the previous notice of intent, the lead agencies have revised 
the project's purpose and need statement to address the need for safety 
and access improvements to the SR 99 corridor from the Battery Street 
Tunnel north to Roy Street.
    The revised purpose and need statement for the project is provided 
below:
    The purpose of the proposed action is to provide a transportation 
facility and seawall with improved earthquake resistance. The project 
will maintain or improve mobility, accessibility, and traffic safety 
for people and goods along the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct Corridor as 
well as improve access to and from SR 99 from the Battery Street Tunnel 
north to Roy Street. The southern terminus of the project would be 
approximately Spokane Street. The north terminus would be Roy Street 
north of the existing Battery Street Tunnel.
    The Alaskan Way Viaduct and Alaskan Way Seawall are both at the end 
of their useful life. Improvements to both are required to protect 
public safety and maintain the transportation corridor. Because these 
facilities are at risk of sudden and catastrophic failure in an 
earthquake, FHWA, WSDOT and the City of Seattle seek to implement these 
improvements as quickly as possible. Improvements between the Battery 
Street Tunnel and Roy Street will be needed to improve access to and 
from SR 99 and to improve local street connections once the viaduct is

[[Page 44717]]

replaced. FHWA, WSDOT and the City of Seattle have identified the 
following underlying needs the project should address: seismic 
vulnerability, traffic safety, roadway design deficiencies, and bicycle 
and pedestrian safety and accessibility.

    Issued on: April 1, 2005.
Mary E. Gray,
Environmental Program Specialist, Olympia, Washington.
[FR Doc. 05-15270 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
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