[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66892-66893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21911]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Jackson County, OR

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 a proposed 
transportation improvement in the City of Medford, Jackson County, 
Oregon.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elton Chang, Environmental 
Coordinator, Federal Highway Administration, The Equitable Center, 530 
Center Street, NE., Suite 100, Salem, Oregon 97301, Telephone: (503) 
399-5749, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Oregon 
Department of Transportation (ODOT), will prepare an (EIS) on a 
proposal to solve the long-term (design year 2025) transportation 
demands in the Oregon Highway 62 / Crater Lake Highway Corridor. 
Improvements are considered necessary to provide for existing and 
projected traffic demand and a safe and efficient transportation system 
meeting modern design standards. The Oregon Highway Plan classifies 
this segment of Oregon Highway 62 as a Statewide National Highway and a 
freight route of statewide significance. Alternatives will be developed 
as part of the Alternatives Analysis component that will be 
incorporated into the EIS. Alternatives under consideration include (1) 
taking into action; (2) improving the existing Oregon Highway 62 / 
Crater Lake Highway corridor with a series of access/frontage roads; 
and (3) construction of a new roadway on new

[[Page 66893]]

alignment to reduce congestion in the corridor. Phased construction/
improvements will be evaluated during the project development process, 
including evaluating interim solutions for a highway segment between 
the intersections of Poplar Drive and Delta Waters. Various build 
alternatives to be studied will include design variations of grade and 
alignment. Build alternatives will also consider improvements to the 
existing transit service; use of Transportation System Management, and 
Transportation Demand Management measures to alleviate traffic 
congestion; improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities; and 
access management.
    Information describing the proposed action and soliciting comments 
will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have expressed or are known to 
have an interest in this proposal. Formal agency and public scoping 
meetings as well as additional public and agency meetings will be held 
during the course of the National Environmental Policy Act process. In 
addition, a public hearing will be held. The draft EIS will be 
available for public and agency review and comments 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.

(Catalogue 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 on: October 27, 2005.
Elton Chang,
Environmental Coordinator, Oregon Division, FHWA.
[FR Doc. 05-21911 Filed 11-2-05; 8:45 am]
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