[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 144 (Friday, July 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41385-41386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14572]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Cole County, MO

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for proposed 
improvements to U.S. 50/U.S. 63, (Rex Whitton Expressway), in Jefferson 
City, Cole County, Missouri.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Peggy Casey, Environmental 
Projects Engineer, FHWA Division Office, 3220 West Edgewood, Suite H, 
Jefferson City, MO 65109, Telephone: (573) 638-2620 or Mr. Kevin Keith, 
Chief Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 270, 
Jefferson City, MO 65102, Telephone: (573) 751-2803.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Missouri 
Department of Transportation (MoDOT), will prepare an EIS for a 
proposal to upgrade the existing U.S. 50/U.S. 63 (Rex Whitton 
Expressway) facility. MoDOT completed a Problem Definition Study for 
the study area in April 2006. The study identified issues and potential 
concepts to address the issues.
    The proposed action will accomplish several goals: (1) Provide 
sufficient roadway capacity and improve traffic operations, (2) improve 
traffic safety, (3) address geometric and structural deficiencies, (4) 
and improve access to major activity centers and encourage development.
    The proposed project study area is defined as the area in Jefferson 
City from just east of the U.S. 50/U.S. 54 Tri-level interchange to the 
Eastland Drive interchange for an approximate length of 3 miles; and 
from 300 feet south of U.S. 50/U.S. 63 to McCarty Street on the north. 
An additional area to the north of McCarty will be studied to address 
access to the Missouri State Prison Redevelopment site. The width of 
the study area varies from 400 to 800 feet.
    Known potential impacts include access changes, and residential, 
commercial and institutional acquisitions/relocations. Properties 
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places which are 
protected by Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 
1966 may also be impacted. Other potential Section 4(f) impacts are to 
the East Miller Park, the Lincoln University Recreation Park, and the 
Lincoln University Tennis Courts. The Lincoln University Tennis Courts 
are also protected by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act 
requirements. A floodplain development permit from the State Emergency 
Management Agency may be required.
    It is anticipated that the following will be invited to be 
participating agencies on this project: The U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, the State Emergency Management Agency, the Missouri 
Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural 
Resources, and the State Historic Preservation Office.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) No build, (2) build 
alternatives, and (3) transportation management options. The Problem 
Definition Study looked at a number of alternatives but made no 
recommendation. The EIS will look at the work done in this study as a 
starting point and use this information in developing and evaluating 
the reasonable alternatives.
    To date, preliminary coordination has occurred with local officials 
and other interested parties. A public meeting and two stakeholder 
meetings were held during the Problem Definition Study. As part of the 
scoping process, an

[[Page 41386]]

interagency coordination meeting will be held August 14, 2007 with 
federal, state, and local agencies. In addition, public information 
meetings and further meetings for community officials will be held to 
solicit public and agency input on the project coordination plan, the 
purpose and need for the project, and the reasonable range of 
alternatives. A location public hearing will be held to present the 
findings of the Draft EIS. Public notice will be given announcing the 
time and place of all public meetings and the hearing. The Draft EIS 
will be 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 are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments and questions concerning this proposed action should be 
directed to FHWA or MoDOT at the addresses 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: July 19, 2007.
Peggy J. Casey,
Environmental Project Engineer, Jefferson City.
 [FR Doc. E7-14572 Filed 7-26-07; 8:45 am]
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