[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22000-22001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8795]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: City of Bakersfield, Kern County, 
CA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public 
that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the 
proposed 24th Street Improvement Project in Kern County, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Hobbs, Senior Environmental 
Planner, Southern San Joaquin Valley Management Branch, Caltrans, 2015 
E. Shields Avenue, Suite 100, Fresno, CA 93726, telephone: 559-243-
8222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Effective July 1, 2007, the FHWA assigned, and the Caltrans 
assumed, environmental responsibilities for this project pursuant to 23 
U.S.C. 327. Caltrans as the delegated NEPA lead agency will prepare an 
EIS on a proposal to improve the existing 24th Street from State Route 
(SR) 99 to M Street in the City of Bakersfield. Analysis supporting the 
EIS will determine the type of facility necessary to meet the existing 
and future transportation needs along 24th Street. The proposed project 
would improve transportation operations along 24th Street and the Oak 
Street/24th Street intersection to accommodate existing and future 
traffic volumes and achieve acceptable levels of service within the 
corridor. The proposed infrastructure improvements would alleviate 
existing traffic congestion and would result in improvement of local 
circulation. The proposed EIS would evaluate a set of three 
alternatives for the improvements to the Oak Street/24th Street 
intersection, a set of three alternatives for the proposed widening of 
24th Street between Oak Street and D Street; and reconstruction of 23rd 
Street and 24th Street between D Street and M Street (approximately 1.7 
miles).
    The No Action Alternative would be considered and result in no 
action being taken and no improvements would be made to the facility.
    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 public scoping meeting will 
be held on April 30, 2008, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1300 17th Street, 
Bakersfield, California, at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools 
Conference Rooms, 1st Floor, to provide additional opportunities for 
public input on the proposed project.
    A public hearing will be held. A Public Notice will be issued to 
announce the time and place of 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.

[[Page 22001]]

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.)

    Issued on: April 16, 2008.
Nancy Bobb,
Director, State Programs. Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento, 
California.
 [FR Doc. E8-8795 Filed 4-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P