[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 50 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12249-12250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4725]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Knox County, City of Vincennes, 
Indiana and Lawrence County, IL

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that FHWA will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the relocation of railroad lines in Knox 
County, Indiana and Lawrence County, Illinois. The proposed rail 
relocation study will involve the relocation of the two CSX 
Transportation (CSXT) railroad mainline tracks, the north-south 
mainline and the east-west mainline that traverses through the City of 
Vincennes and portions of Knox County, Indiana and Lawrence County 
Illinois.

DATES: Comments on the scope of the EIS for the proposed project should 
be forwarded no later than April 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Brock Hoegh, 
Project Planner, HNTB Indiana, Inc., 111 Monument Circle, Suite 1200, 
Indianapolis, IN 46204, Telephone: (317) 636-4682, E-mail: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Heil, Environmental Specialist, 
Federal Highway Administration, Telephone: (317) 226-7480; or Frank 
Litherland, INDOT Project Manager, Telephone 812-882-8364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Indiana 
Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Illinois Department of 
Transportation (IDOT), will prepare an EIS to evaluate alternative 
alignments for the relocation of the two CSXT railroad mainline tracks, 
the north-south mainline and the east-west mainline that traverses 
through the City of Vincennes and portions of Knox County, Indiana and 
Lawrence County, Illinois. The north-south mainline is CSXT's main 
route from Chicago to points south and southeast. The east-west 
mainline is one of CSXT's routes to St. Louis. The east-west mainline 
extends from Cincinnati to St. Louis. The two mainlines cross just 
north of downtown. The majority of the train traffic travels on the 
north-south CSXT mainline and consists of approximately 50 trains per 
day. The east-west mainline has approximately 15 trains

[[Page 12250]]

per day. The relocation of the north-south mainline will require the 
construction of a new corridor approximately 10 to 13 miles in length 
depending on the alignment alternative. The east-west corridor may be 
approximately 8 to 9 miles in length. The relocation of the railroad 
corridors would eliminate at least 47 grade crossings. The relocated 
rail corridors would be entirely grade separated.
    The numerous grade crossings with high vehicle traffic volumes 
within the city limits require the CSXT trains to reduce speed as they 
pass through Vincennes. Two CSXT mainlines cross in the middle of the 
city, and trains that switch between mainlines move slowly, creating 
traffic backups, emergency vehicle delays, and delays in rail 
operations. Frequently, train movements literally cut the city in half. 
In addition, the large volumes of trains and vehicular traffic crossing 
the railroad corridor increase the probability of collisions at the 
crossings.
    Cooperating Agencies: The Federal Railroad Administration has 
agreed to serve as a cooperating agency. No others have been yet 
identified for this project.
    Environmental Issues: Possible environmental impacts include 
displacement of commercial and residential properties, increased noise 
in some areas, decreased noise in other areas, effects to historical 
properties or archaeological sites, viewshed impacts, impacts to water 
resources, wetlands, farmed wetlands, prime farmland, sensitive 
biological species and habitat, land use compatibility impacts, and 
impacts to agricultural lands.
    Alternatives: The EIS will consider alternatives that include: (1) 
Taking no action; (2) rail relocation and reconstruction of railroad 
line(s) and grade separations on new location.
    Scoping and Comment: FHWA encourages broad participation in the EIS 
process and review of the resulting environmental documents. A scoping 
meeting will be conducted in the City of Vincennes area at a date and 
place, which will be widely publicized well in advance of the meeting. 
Comments, questions, and suggestions related to the project and 
potential environmental concerns are invited from all interested 
agencies and the public at large to ensure that the full range of 
issues related to the proposed action and all reasonable alternatives 
are considered and all significant issues are identified. These 
comments, questions, and suggestions should be forwarded to the address 
listed above. The public is invited to participate in the scoping 
process as well. Notices of availability for the Draft EIS, Final EIS, 
and Record of Decision will be provided through direct mail, the 
Federal Register and other media. Notification also will be sent to 
Federal, State, local agencies, persons, and organizations that submit 
comments or questions. Precise schedules and locations for public 
meetings will be announced in the local news media. Interested 
individuals and organizations may request to be included on the mailing 
list for the distribution of meeting announcements and associated 
information.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.205, Highway 
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: March 9, 2007.
Robert F. Tally, P.E.,
Division Administrator, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[FR Doc. E7-4725 Filed 3-14-07; 8:45 am]
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