[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 81 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24909-24910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3949]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental impact statement: Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties, 
NC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of intent.

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[[Page 24910]]

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway 
project in Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties, North Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clarence W. Coleman, P.E., Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 New Bern Avenue, Ste 410, 
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1418, Telephone: (919) 856-4346.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the North 
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the North Carolina 
Turnpike Authority (NCTA), will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) addressing proposed improvements to east-west 
transporation mobility in the area around the City of Gastonia and 
other municipalities in southern Gaston County. As part of this 
proposed action, the NCDOT also proposes to improve mobility, access 
and connectivity between southern Gaston County and Mecklenburg County. 
The proposed project study area consists of the following general 
boundaries: I-85 to the north, the South Carolina State line to the 
south, the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to the east, and the 
I-85 and US 29-74 junction to the west. The proposed action is 
consistent with the thoroughfare plans approved by the Gaston Urban 
Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Mecklenburg-Union 
MPO.
    Alternatives to be studied in detail include:
    1. No-Build.
    2. Construction of a new location highway. Sixteen detailed study 
alternatives or corridors will be studied in the Draft EIS.
    The proposed project is being developed as a candidate toll road. 
Accordingly, in conjunction with development of the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement and other on-going project development activities, 
NCTA is conducting a study to evaluate the feasibility of developing 
the proposed highway as a toll road and funding it, in whole or in 
part, through the issuance of ``revenue bonds.''
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have 
been sent to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies. Citizens' 
informational workshops, meetings with local officials, and a public 
hearing will be held. Information on the dates, times and locations of 
the citizens' informtional workshops and public hearings will be 
advertised in the local news media, and newsletters will be mailed to 
those on the project mailing list. 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 Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Issued on: April 20, 2006.
Clarence W. Coleman,
Operations Engineer, Raleigh, North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 06-3949 Filed 4-26-06; 8:45am]
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