[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 80 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 20912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7996]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Warren County, IA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT, Warren County.

SUMMARY: The FHWA will be issuing this notice to advise the public an 
EIS will be prepared for a proposed roadway project in Warren County, 
Iowa. The planned EIS will evaluate potential transportation 
improvement alternatives for serving West Des Moines, Des Moines, and 
Warren County between I-35 South/R35 and IA 5/South 11th Street.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael LaPietra, 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 515-239-1225.

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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telnet or FTP to: http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov">fedbbs.access.gpo.gov. Users can access the FBB via 
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Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) by 
calling the GPO Office of Electronic Information Dissemination Services 
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 Warren County, will prepare an EIS for the proposed Southwest 
Connector corridor study. The proposed project includes roadway 
improvements to provide a high-speed, 5-lane roadway between I-35 
South/R35 and IA 5/South 11th Street.
    The purpose of the SW Connector is to prepare for increased travel 
demand in and around Warren County, Des Moines, and West Des Moines. 
Construction of the proposed interchange and roadway will decrease 
congestion at the IA 5/I-35 south interchange and provide alternate 
means of travel between 11th Street and I-35 South as well as provide 
additional access to Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Warren County.
    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 2007 and 2008. 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 is 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 20, 2007.
Philip E. Barnes,
Division Administrator, FHWA, Iowa Division.
 [FR Doc. E7-7996 Filed 4-25-07; 8:45 am]
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