[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7109-7110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1238]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Galveston County, TX

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), TxDOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent, Bolivar Bridges EIS.

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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 
State Highway (SH) 87 bridge connecting Galveston Island and Bolivar 
Peninsula in Galveston County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary Johnson, P.E., Federal 
Highway Administration, Texas Division, 300 East 8th Street, Room 826, 
Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone (512) 536-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in 
cooperation with TxDOT, will prepare an EIS on a proposal that includes 
transportation alternatives within the southern portion of Bolivar 
Peninsula from the Bolivar ferry landing to SH 124, the northern 
portion of Galveston Island from Interstate Highway (IH) 45 at the 
Galveston Causeway to the Galveston ferry landing, and Pelican Island. 
The project area crosses Galveston Bay and the Galveston, Texas City, 
and Houston ship channels.
    TxDOT currently operates a free ferry system between Galveston 
Island and Bolivar Peninsula. Due to increased operations and 
maintenance coasts, TxDOT is proposing to replace the existing ferry 
system with a permanent bridge. Increasing traffic along SH 87 (Ferry 
Road) has resulted in lengthy delays for residents and visitors. These 
delays have resulted in slow emergency vehicle response times and long 
commute times. Public meetings were held in 200 on Bolivar Peninsula 
and Galveston Island to solicit comments regarding the existing ferry 
system and potential long term improvements. Citizens expressed a 
desire for immediate improvements to the ferry system and favored a 
bridge for long-term improvements.
    In 2001, a feasibility study was completed which evaluated the 
existing ferry system and identified and compared alternatives for a 
proposed bridge location. TxDOT is preparing an EIS to further evaluate 
viable build alternatives and a no build alternative. The 
implementation of tolling will be considered as a funding option.
    The EIS will include a recommended bridge location, number of 
lanes, roadway configuration, and operational characteristics of the 
proposed bridge. It will also include a discussion of the effects on 
socioeconomics, travel patterns, hazardous materials, cultural 
resources, traffic noise, air quality, biological resources, water 
resources, floodplains, and wetlands.
    Correspondence describing the proposed project and soliciting 
comments has been sent to appropriate Federal, state, regional, and 
local agencies, and to organizations and

[[Page 7110]]

persons who have previously expressed an interest or are known to have 
an interest in this project.
    TxDOT will conduct two public meetings in February 2006. The public 
meetings will be conducted in an open house format with no formal 
presentation. At least 30 days and 10 days prior to the public scoping 
meetings, notices will be published in newspapers generally circulated 
in the project area. These will be the first in a series of meetings to 
solicit public comments on the proposed action as part of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Persons interested in 
attending these meetings who have special communication or 
accommodation needs are encouraged to contact the local TxDOT Public 
Information Office at (713) 802-5072 at least two days prior to the 
meetings. Because the public meetings will be conducted in English, any 
requests for language interpreters or other special communication needs 
should also be made at least two days prior to the public meetings. 
Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs.
    Public involvement will occur throughout the planning process. 
Public notice will be given stating the time and place of future public 
meetings and hearings. The Draft EIS will be available for public and 
agency review and comment prior to a public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
actions 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 TxDOT at the address provided. Additional project 
information may be obtained by visiting the project Web site at http://www.bolivarbridge.com.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding governmental consultation on federal 
programs and activities apply to this program.)
Gary Johnson,
Acting District Engineer, FHWA Texas Division.
[FR Doc. 06-1238 Filed 2-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M