[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 63957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22126]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Shelby Avenue/
Demonbreun Street (Gateway Boulevard) Corridor, Davidson County, TN

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare a Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement in cooperation with the Tennessee 
Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Metropolitan Government of 
Nashville and Davidson County for the Shelby Avenue/Demonbreun Street 
(Gateway Boulevard) Corridor in Davidson County, Tennessee.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Laurie S. Leffler, Assistant 
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration-Tennessee 
Division Office, 640 Grassmere Park Road, Suite 112, Nashville, TN 
37211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Transportation 
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the 
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Metropolitan 
Government of Nashville and Davidson County, intends to prepare a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Supplemental EIS) for 
Shelby Avenue/Demonbreun Street (Gateway Boulevard) Corridor. This 
project is intended to enhance east-west transportation linkages and 
improve accessibility to the current Nashville Central Business 
District (CBD) and for future development in the CBD.
    A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (FHWA-TN-EIS-96-01-F) 
for the project was approved and released for public review on July 1, 
1998, and a Record of Decision (ROD) was issued on September 15, 1998.
    A portion of this project has been constructed. The Korean Veterans 
Memorial Bridge over the Cumberland River and the section of Gateway 
Boulevard from 1st Avenue South to 4th Avenue South have been completed 
and are open to traffic. The Supplemental EIS is being prepared to 
address the remaining unbuilt portion of the project's selected 
alignment (Alternative 8) between 4th Avenue South and 13th Avenue 
South.
    Under the selected alternative identified in the ROD, the 
structurally deficient Demonbreun Street Viaduct would have been 
demolished and a new structure would have been built across the 
Railroad Gulch from west of 11th Avenue to the project's western 
terminus at 13th Avenue. Since issuance of the ROD, the Demonbreun 
Street Viaduct has been rehabilitated and is no longer considered 
structurally deficient.
    As a result of major land use changes within the original project 
area since the ROD was issued, the environmental technical studies for 
the corridor must be updated before the remainder of the project 
between 4th and 13th Avenues can be advanced. Major new civic 
investments in the area include the Country Music Hall of Fame, the 
Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the Symphony Hall, and Hilton Park. 
In addition, the previously industrialized Railroad Gulch is being 
redeveloped with new commercial and office spaces, along with several 
major high-rise residential developments under construction, and more 
land use changes in the Gulch anticipated in the near future.
    Letters describing the supplemental environmental studies and 
soliciting input will be sent to the appropriate Federal, State, 
regional and local agencies that have expressed or are known to have an 
interest or legal role in this proposal. Private organizations, 
citizens, and interest groups will have an opportunity to provide input 
into the development of the Supplemental EIS, and to identify issues 
that should be addressed. Notices of public meetings or public hearings 
will be given through various forums, providing the time and place of 
the meeting along with other relevant information. The Supplemental 
DEIS 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 the proposed 
action are identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions 
are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions 
concerning the proposed action and Supplemental EIS should be directed 
to FHWA at the address provided above.

Laurie S. Leffler,
Assistant Division Administrator, Nashville, TN.
 [FR Doc. E7-22126 Filed 11-9-07; 8:45 am]
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