[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 15 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 4501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1422]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Essex and Middlesex Counties, MA

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice, in accordance to the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and its implementing 
regulations contained in 23 CFR part 771, to advise the public that an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for proposed 
highway improvements and an interchange project on Interstate 93 (I-93) 
in Essex and Middlesex Counties, Massachusetts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John McVann, Director of Project 
Delivery, Federal Highway Administration, 55 Broadway Floor, Cambridge, 
Massachusetts 02142, Telephone: (617) 494-2416.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve I-93 in 
Essex and Middlesex Counties, Massachusetts. The proposed project would 
involve highway improvements to I-93 and the construction of a new 
break-in-access interchange near the Andover/Tewksbury/Wilmington town 
borders. Improvements to the I-93 corridor were examined in the Route 
I-93 Corridor Traffic Study finalized in 2004 and endorsed by the 
Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The proposed 
break-in-access was the subject of an Interchange Justification Report 
dated July 2006, and conditionally approved by FHWA pending the 
completion of the NEPA process. Because it is anticipated that the 
resulting project may allow for general economic development 
opportunities, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of 
Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) is a partnering agency with 
MassHighway in this project.
    The proposed project is to provide improvements for the existing 
and projected traffic demand, as well as to improve safety in the area 
where the use of the breakdown lane is allowed for regular vehicle 
travel during morning and evening peak periods. The proposed 
interchange will provide access to all three towns including potential 
new development sites. Alternatives under consideration include: (1) 
Taking no action; (2) Transportation Demand Management (TDM); (3) using 
alternate travel modes; (4) providing improvements at other local and 
interstate roadway network locations; and (5) constructing a new 
interchange. Design variations of grade, alignment, and access will be 
incorporated into and studied with the various build alternatives.
    A formal scoping meeting will be held at the Tewksbury Town Hall 
Auditorium on March 19, 2009, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (EST) for the 
participating agencies, and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) for the general 
public. 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 series of public meetings 
will be held in Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington, Massachusetts 
throughout 2009. In addition, a public hearing will be held within 60 
days of the availability of the draft EIS. Public notice will be given 
of the time and place of the meetings and hearing. The draft EIS will 
be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the 
public hearing.
    Comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties 
during the appropriate step in the NEPA process to ensure that the full 
range of issues related to this proposed action are addressed and all 
significant issues identified. Comments or questions concerning this 
proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the FHWA 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: January 15, 2009.
Lucy Garliauskas,
Division Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-1422 Filed 1-23-09; 8:45 am]
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