[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 33033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5201]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Henderson and Buncombe Counties, 
NC

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advice the public that an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a multi-land 
widening of I-26 between NC 225 and I-40 in Asheville in Buncombe and 
Henderson Counties, North Carolina (TIP Projects I-4400 & I-4700).

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) 856-4350, 
extension 133 or Joseph S. Qubain, Project Manager, North Carolina 
Department of Transportation (NCDOT), 1548 Mail Service Center, 
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548, Telephone: (919) 733-7844, 
extension 209.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the NCDOT, 
will prepare an EIS on a proposal to widen I-26 between NC 255 south of 
Hendersonville and I-40 near Asheville in Buncombe and Henderson 
Counties, North Carolina. The proposed project would be approximately 
22.2 miles in length.
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to relieve 
forecasted congestion along the I-26 corridor. Alternatives under 
consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) Transportation Systems 
Management/Travel Demand Management (TSM/TDM) that incorporates 
operational improvements and demand mitigation programs and initiatives 
to meet the transportation demand within the I-26 corridor; and (3) a 
multi-lane widening of I-26 within the existing right-of-way that 
includes rehabilitation and widening of existing bridge structures 
within the project limits, including the Blue Ridge Parkway structure 
over I-26. The EIS will also include a regional cumulative impact study 
for the I-26 corridor.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action is addressed and all significant issues are identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action, the EIS and the cumulative 
impact study should be directed to the FHWA at the address provided 
above.

    Issued on: June 1, 2006.
Thomas D. Riggsbee,
Area Engineer, Raleigh, North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 06-5201 Filed 6-5-06; 9:14 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M