[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 218 (Monday, November 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 66217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9159]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: City of Salem, Polk and Marion 
Counties, OR

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, Oregon Department of 
Transportation, and City of Salem.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice of intent to advise the public that an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) will be prepared for solutions to improve mobility 
across the Willamette River in the City of Salem and Marion and Polk 
Counties, Oregon.

DATES: Public and Agency scoping meetings will be held in Salem, Oregon 
during November 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward J. DeCleva, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, The Equitable 
Building, Suite 100, 530 Center Street NE., Salem, OR 97301, (503) 587-
4710.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Oregon 
Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Salem will prepare 
an EIS for solutions to improve mobility across the Willamette River in 
Salem, Oregon. The existing Marion and Center Street bridges in Salem 
(Oregon Highway 22) are the only vehicular crossings of the Willamette 
River within the Salem-Keizer urban area. Increasing traffic volumes 
and continued population growth are causing congestion levels on the 
bridges and the connecting infrastructure to exceed Oregon Highway Plan 
mobility standards. Without mobility improvements, congestion is 
forecast to worsen in the future. Additional information on the Salem 
River Crossing project can be found on the project Web site at http://www.salemrivercrossing.org.
    A reasonable range of alternatives will be considered in the EIS, 
including alternatives identified in the 2002 Willamette River Crossing 
Study General Corridor Evaluation that are still valid and meet the 
project purpose and need. A No Build alternative also will be studied.
    The lead agencies will evaluate significant transportation, 
environmental, social, and economic impacts of the alternatives. 
Potential areas of impact include: support of State, regional, and 
local land use and transportation plans and policies, neighborhoods, 
land use and economics, cultural resources, environmental justice, and 
natural resources. All impacts will be evaluated for both the 
construction period and the long-term period of operation. As relevant, 
measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate any significant impacts, will 
be developed.
    A series of public and agency meetings will be held in Salem, 
Oregon throughout the EIS study process. 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 made 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 proposal will be accepted at the public 
meetings or can be sent to the FHWA at the address provided above or 
via the project Web site at http://www.salemrivercrossing.org.

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

    Dated: November 3, 2006.
Ed DeCleva,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Oregon Division.
[FR Doc. 06-9159 Filed 11-9-06; 8:45 am]
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