[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 40 (Thursday, February 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10855-10856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3767]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Los Angeles County, CA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public 
that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a 
proposed highway widening project on Interstate 5 in the cities of 
Santa Fe Springs, Commerce, Montebello, Downey, and East Los Angeles, 
in Los Angeles County, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Kosinski, Deputy District 
Director, Caltrans District 7, 100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 
90012 (213) 897-0703.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective July 1, 2007, the Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA) assigned, and the California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans) assumed, environmental responsibilities for 
this project pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal for constructing freeway 
improvements to Interstate 5 (I-5) from Interstate 605 (I-605) though 
the I-5/Interstate 710 (I-710) interchange in Los Angeles County, 
California. The project consists of widening I-5 to accommodate High 
Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and/or general purpose lanes. Depending 
on the alternative selected, the project may also include modifications 
to the I-605 and I-710 interchanges. A Major Investment Study (MIS) for 
the project was completed in July 1998. It identified a fully standard 
ten-lane, at-grade facility as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).
    The purpose of the proposed project is to (1) improve level of 
service during AM and PM peak periods, to reduce congestion related 
delays, and enhance safety and mobility in this segment of the I-5 
freeway as compared to the no-build condition; (2) provide continuity 
of facilities and capacity on the I-5 freeway between the I-605 and I-
710 in Los Angeles County; (3) maintain structural flexibility in the 
freeway corridor for additional future capacity improvements; (4) 
improve interchange access/egress points and levels of service; (5) 
improve access to regional transit and HOV facilities; (6) improve 
mobility on local surface streets operationally interdependent with the 
freeway corridor by reducing existing and future congestion on both the 
state and local facilities; and (7) explore Transportation System 
Management (TSM) improvements for the I-5 and parallel arterials.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) a no-build option; (2) 
implementing a Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand 
Management plan; (3) constructing a 10-lane facility with two HOV 
lanes; and (5) constructing a 12-lane facility (may be constructed in 
stages depending on availability of funding) with two or four HOV 
lanes. Alternatives that promote transit use, improve access to the 
Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, and engineering designs that are 
compatible with the alternatives proposed for the I-710 Freeway 
(including the I-710 Mini-Study) are also important considerations.
    These basic alternatives will have additional design variations, 
which provide optional lane use (general, HOV, or auxiliary use), 
optional on and off ramp modifications, and other engineering details. 
These alternatives may be refined, combined with various different 
alternative elements, or be removed from further consideration, as

[[Page 10856]]

more analysis is conducted on the project alternatives.
    The following permits would be required to construct the proposed 
project:
     Section 404 nationwide permit from the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers
     Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the 
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
     Section 1601 Streambed Alteration Agreement from the 
California Department of Fish and Game
     Encroachment permits from the various cities in which 
project construction would occur.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, Participating Agencies, and 
local agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have 
previously expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. In 
addition, a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of 
the time and place of the meeting and hearing. The Environmental Impact 
Statement will be available for public and agency review and comment 
prior to the public hearing. A Public Scoping meeting is currently 
scheduled for February 27, 2008 in the City of Commerce.
    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 Caltrans at the address 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.)

Nancy Bobb,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. E8-3767 Filed 2-27-08; 8:45 am]
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