[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 26170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4130]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Bannock County, Idaho

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 
highway project in Bannock County, Idaho.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Edwin B. Johnson, Field Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 3050 Lakeharbor Lane, Suite 
126, Boise, Idaho, 83703, Telephone: (208) 334-9180, ext. 116, or Mr. 
Dennis Clark, Environmental Section Manager, Headquarters, Idaho 
Transportation Department, P.O. Box 7129 Boise, Idaho 83707-1129, 
Telephone: (208) 334-8203.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Idaho 
Transportation Department (ITD), will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for a proposal to provide a new access point along 
Interstate 15 (I-15) in Bannock County, Idaho. The proposed new access 
point project area is located between the existing I-86 system 
interchange (approximate location Mile Post (MP) 72.0), and terminating 
to the north at approximate MP 75.5 along I-15.
    The purpose of this project is to locate a new service type access 
point to I-15, north of the existing I-86/I-15 system interchange in 
the Pocatello/Chubbuck metropolitan area located in Bannock County. 
Rapid residential growth in the northeastern bench and in the northern 
Chubbuck areas coupled with future commercial development has and will 
continue to create congestion and safety concerns at the existing 
interstate access points at the I-86/US 91 Chubbuck Interchange and at 
the I-15/Pocatello Creek Road Interchange, creating the need for this 
project.
    This project will enhance access and cross-freeway mobility, 
improve traffic operations within the corridor, and provide safe and 
efficient movement of people, goods and services while giving full 
consideration to local roads as primary transportation corridors. This 
project is needed because congestion and safety concerns are rising 
within the project corridor and travel times for local and through 
traffic have increased. These conditions have arisen from increased and 
projected regional travel demand due to planned community growth, 
limited local city street connectivity to and across I-15, and mobility 
limitations at existing interchanges.
    Seven enhancement concepts are under consideration, including: (a) 
Taking a no-build action, (b) applying enhanced Transportation Systems 
and Transportation Demand Management methods to the existing local 
roads, (c) constructing one of five build action options which include: 
a new service interchange near the 2-1/2 mile overpass; a new service 
interchange connecting with Tyhee Road; a new interchange connection 
with Siphon Road; and two different new interchange options at the 
existing Chubbuck Road Overpass.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments and 
input will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, 
and to private organizations and citizens. A series of public meetings 
will be held in the Chubbuck/Pocatello area. A scoping meeting and a 
public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time 
and place of the meetings and hearing. The draft EIS will be made 
available for both 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 or ITD at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to the 
program.)


    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on April 25, 2006.
Stephen A. Moreno,
Division Administrator, Boise, Idaho.
[FR Doc. 06-4130 Filed 5-2-06; 8:45 am]
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