[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26600-26601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6802]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Polk County, IA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT, Polk County.
SUMMARY: The FHWA and Iowa DOT are issuing this notice to advise the 
public an EIS will be prepared for a proposed roadway project in Polk 
County, Iowa. The planned EIS will evaluate potential transportation 
improvement alternatives for serving northeast Des Moines and its 
neighboring communities between I-80/US65 west of Altoona to US69/NE 
126 Avenue north of Ankeny.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael La Pietra, Environment and 
Realty Manager, FHWA Iowa Division Office, 105 Sixth Street, Ames, IA 
50010, Phone 515-233-7302; or James P. Rost, Director, Office of 
Location and Environment, Iowa Department of Transportation, 800 
Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010, Phone 515-239-1798.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

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from the Federal Bulletin Board (FBB). The FBB is a free electronic 
bulletin board service of the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO).
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eastern time, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays) by 
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at 202-512-1530, toll-free at 888-293-6498; sending an e-mail to 
[email protected]; or sending a fax to 202-512-1262.
    Access to this notice is also available to Internet users through 
the Federal Register's home page at http://www.nara.gov/fedreg.

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Transportation 
and Polk County will prepare an EIS for the proposed Northeast Beltway 
study. The proposed project would include roadway improvements to 
provide a high-speed connection from I-80 near Altoona to U.S. 69 north 
of Ankeny.
    The purpose of the Northeast Polk County Beltway is to prepare for 
increased travel demand in and around Ankeny and its neighboring 
communities. Traffic congestion on I-35 between Des Moines and Ankeny 
would be alleviated, and traffic would be

[[Page 26601]]

reduced on the Northeast systems interchange (35/80/235).
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) 
widening existing roadways; and, (3) constructing a roadway on a new 
location. The build alternative will include consideration of various 
alignments and grades.
    Letters 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 previously expressed or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. A series of public meetings 
will be held in 2006 and 2007. In addition, a public hearing will be 
held upon completion of the draft EIS. Public notice will be given of 
the time and place of the public meetings and public hearing. The draft 
EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to 
the public hearing.
    A scoping meeting (the initial public meeting) will be held 
identifying significant issues to be addressed in the environmental 
impact statement. The date and location of the scoping meeting have not 
yet been determined but will be advertised in various local media.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues are 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 Iowa Department of Transportation at 
the address provided in the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

(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.)

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


    Dated: April 28, 2006.
Philip E. Barnes,
Division Administrator FHWA, Iowa Division.
 [FR Doc. E6-6802 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]
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