[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 91 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 27529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4367]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Brunswick and New Hanover 
Counties, NC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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 Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, North Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clarence W. Coleman, PE., Operations 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 New Bern Avenue, Suite 
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) on a proposal to construct a multi-lane highway 
facility in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, North Carolina. Known 
as the Cape Fear Skyway, the proposed improvement would extend from US 
17 in Brunswick County, near the community of Bishop, to US 421 in the 
city of Wilmington for a distance of approximately 9.5 miles. The 
project would include a crossing of the Cape Fear River.
    The proposed highway facility is considered necessary as a means to 
improve regional traffic flow, enhance access to the North Carolina 
Ports, improve emergency service response times and facilitate 
emergency evacuation. Preliminary alternatives to be evaluated include 
(1) taking no action (2) Transportation System Management (TSM); (3) 
Transportation Demand Management (TDM); (4) Mass Transit; and (5) 
constructing a multi-lane facility on new location with full control of 
access. Incorporated into and studied with the various build 
alternatives will be design variations of grade and alignment. The EIS 
will address environmental, social, and economic impacts associated 
with the development of the proposed action.
    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 an interest in this proposal. A series of public meetings 
will be held in the vicinity of the project throughout the development 
of the EIS. In addition, 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 available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to any public hearings being held.
    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: May 4, 2006.
Clarence W. Coleman,
Operations Engineer, Raleigh, North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 06-4367 Filed 5-10-06; 8:45 am]
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