[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 4, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 50712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4300]



[[Page 50712]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Washoe County, NV

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 a proposed 
intersection improvement project in the City of Sparks, Washoe County, 
NV.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Abdelmoez A. Abdalla, 
Environmental Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 705 N. 
Plaza, Suite 220, Carson City, NV 89701, Telephone: (775) 687-1231; Mr. 
Daryl James, Chief, Environmental Service Division, Nevada Department 
of Transportation, 1263 S. Stewart Street, Carson City, Nevada 89712, 
Telephone: (775) 888-7686; or Mr. William Vann, Jr., Regional 
Transportation Commission, 1105 Terminal Way, Suite 108, Reno, Nevada 
89502, Telephone: (775) 335-1877.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Nevada 
Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Regional Transportation 
Commission of Washoe County (RTC), will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve the Pyramid Way (SR 445) and 
McCarran Boulevard (SR 650) intersection in the City of Sparks, Washoe 
County, Nevada. The FHWA will serve as the Lead Federal Agency while 
the NDOT and the RTC will serve as Joint Lead Agencies. The new 
SAFETEA-LU environmental review process will be followed.
    The Pyramid Way at McCarran Boulevard intersection serves the 
transportation needs of the communities in Washoe County and the City 
of Sparks. This intersection links commuters from unincorporated Washoe 
County and the City of Sparks to employment and service centers located 
within the Cities of Reno and Sparks. The current and projected traffic 
congestion and operational characteristics of this intersection 
necessitate improvement. Workshops with residents and businesses in the 
project area and regional commuters using the intersection will be held 
to solicit input on the project's purpose and need, range of 
alternatives to be considered, preferred alternative, methodologies, 
and level of details for the analysis of alternatives.
    The purpose of the proposed project is to relieve congestion, 
enhance traffic operations of the intersection, improve safety, and 
accommodate the future increase in traffic volumes. Traffic is expected 
to increase by 58% by 2012, the planned opening year of the project. In 
the surrounding area, population is anticipated to increase 112% by 
2012 while employment will increase over 400% in the same timeframe.
    The EIS will consider various improvement alternatives as well as a 
no action alternative. Alternatives that have been examined include a 
Pyramid Way grade separation, an expanded at-grade intersection, and an 
eastbound McCarran Boulevard to northbound Pyramid Way direct 
connection. Other alternatives will be considered as part of the public 
workshops and environmental review process.
    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 expressed or are known to 
have interest in this project. In addition to the workshops, project 
scoping meetings will be held in Sparks, Nevada in the Fall of 2007 
with appropriate participating and cooperating agencies as well as the 
general public. In addition, public meetings will be held during the 
development of the project and a public hearing will be held for the 
draft EIS. Public notices will be given announcing the time and place 
of the 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 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, NDOT, or RTC at the addresses provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., 49 CFR 1.48(d)(17), and 40 
CFR 1501.7.

    Issued on: August 28, 2007.
Susan Klekar,
Division Administrator, FHWA, Nevada Division.
[FR Doc. 07-4300 Filed 8-31-07; 8:45 am]
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