[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 158 (Thursday, August 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47640-47641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18832]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Assessment: Jefferson County, IN and Trimble 
County, KY

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that FHWA will prepare an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) to determine the need and feasibility of improvements 
to the Ohio River Crossing along U.S. 421 in Jefferson County, Indiana 
and Trimble County, Kentucky. This project will adhere to the 
requirements of section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU. The existing bridge 
connects the historic communities of Milton, Kentucky and Madison, 
Indiana. The objectives of this study are to assess the feasibility of 
rehabilitating or replacing the bridge, as well as other alternatives, 
for improving safety and mobility in the general project vicinity.
    Comments on the scope of the EA for the proposed project should be 
forwarded no later than September 12, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Address all comments concerning this 
notice to Greg Rawlings of the FHWA Kentucky Division at 502.223.6728 
or via e-mail at [email protected]. For additional 
information, contact Robert Martin, P.E., Project Manager for the 
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, at 502.564.3730 or via e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Kentucky 
Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Indiana Department of Transportation 
(INDOT), will prepare an EA to determine the need and feasibility of 
rehabilitating or replacing the Milton Madison Bridge and its 
approaches over the Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky. The 
current structure was originally constructed in 1929 then later 
rehabilitated in the late 1990s. The existing bridge is 3,181 feet in 
length and has two 10-foot travel lanes. The study area includes the 
existing U.S. 421 corridor and the general vicinity of the communities 
of Milton, Kentucky and Madison, Indiana. The nearest alternate 
crossings are the I-65 Kennedy Bridge in Louisville (46 miles 
downstream) and the bridge at Markland Locks and Dam (26 miles 
upstream). The condition of the Milton Madison Bridge is prompting this 
project, coupled with other issues including traffic demand and 
accessibility.
    The objectives of this study are to assess the feasibility of 
rehabilitating or replacing the bridge, as well as other alternatives, 
for improving safety and mobility in the general project vicinity. This 
study will conform to Kentucky's environmental guidance, Indiana's 
procedural manual for preparing environmental documents, and the new 
SAFETEA-LU section 6002 requirements.
    Environmental Issues: Possible environmental impacts include 
effects to historical properties, historic districts, or archaeological 
sites, specifically as related to Madison's status as a National 
Historic Landmark; displacement of commercial and/or residential 
properties; increased noise; viewshed impacts; impacts to water 
resources, flood plains, prime farmland, sensitive biological species 
and their habitat; land use compatibility impacts; community impacts; 
and impacts to agricultural lands.
    Alternatives: The EA will consider alternatives that include the 
No-Build (Do Nothing) Alternative as well as a full range of build 
alternatives including rehabilitating the existing structure, applying 
transportation system management principles, and constructing a new 
bridge on the existing or new alignment.
    Scoping and Comment: FHWA encourages broad participation in the EA 
process and review of the resulting environmental documents. Comments, 
questions, and suggestions related to the project and potential 
socioeconomic and environmental concerns are invited from all 
interested agencies and the public at large to ensure that the full 
range of issues related to the proposed action and all reasonable 
alternatives are considered and all significant issues are identified. 
These comments, questions, and suggestions should be forwarded to 
either phone number or e-mail address listed above.
    Early Coordination Letters will be sent to the appropriate Federal, 
State and local agencies by September 2008 describing the project, 
following a project kick-off coordinated through a media news release. 
An invitation letter will be sent to potential Cooperating Agencies, 
Participating Agencies, and Section 106 Consulting Parties inviting the 
agencies to officially take part in the study, encouraging agency 
comments and suggestions concerning the proposed project, and further 
defining the roles of agencies. Existing and future conditions will be 
identified as work progresses and presented to stakeholders, agencies, 
and the public. The draft purpose and need for the project will be 
developed and preliminary alternatives identified. The agencies, 
stakeholders, and public will have an opportunity to review and comment 
on this information. The purpose and need and preliminary alternatives 
will be available for public review and a Resource Agency Meeting, 
Project Advisory Group Meeting, and Public Information Meeting will be 
held. Public notice will be given as to the time and place of the 
meetings. Agencies and the public will also have an opportunity to 
comment at various study stages, including: (1) Definition of purpose 
and need; (2) establishment of screening criteria; (3) screening of 
initial alternatives; (4) selection of final alternatives; and (5) the 
review of environmental documentation. Project Advisory Group meetings 
will be conducted regularly as the project moves forward to secure 
input from key stakeholders as decisions are made.
    Notices of availability for the purpose and need and identification 
of

[[Page 47641]]

preliminary alternatives, evaluation and screening of preliminary 
alternatives, and identification of final alternatives will be provided 
through direct mail, e-mail, the project Web site available at http://www.miltonmadisonbridge.com, and other media. Notification also will be 
sent to Federal, State, local agencies, persons and organizations that 
submit comments or questions. Precise schedules and locations for 
public meetings will be announced in the local news media and the 
project Web site. Interested individuals and organizations may request 
to be included on the mailing list for distribution of meeting 
announcements and associated information.
    Other Approvals for Federal Permits: The following approvals for 
Federal permits are anticipated to be required: The Navigational Permit 
Application from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Section 404 Permit from 
the Army Corps of Engineers. Additionally, Section 401 Permits may be 
required from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and the 
Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.205, Highway 
Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive 
Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal 
programs and activities apply to the program.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: July 30, 2008.
Dennis Luhrs,
Assistant Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
Frankfort, Kentucky.
[FR Doc. E8-18832 Filed 8-13-08; 8:45 am]
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