[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38606-38608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16094]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2010-0059]


Temporary Closure of I-70 (I-70/I-465 West Leg Interchange to the 
I-70/I-65 South Split Interchange) on October 7, 2010, in Indianapolis, 
IN

AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comment.

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SUMMARY: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has requested 
FHWA approval of INDOT's proposed plan to temporarily close a segment 
of I-70 (from the I-70/I-465 west leg interchange to the I-70/I-65 
south split interchange) on October 7, 2010, for a 12-hour period from 
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The closure is requested to accommodate a concentrated 
I-70 beautification project sponsored by INDOT. The request is based on 
the provisions 23 CFR 658.11 which authorizes the deletion of segments 
of the federally designated routes that make up the National Network 
designated in Appendix A of 23 CFR Part 658 upon approval by the FHWA.
    The FHWA seeks comments from the general public on this request 
submitted by INDOT for a deletion in accordance with section 658.11(d) 
for the considerations discussed in this notice.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before 30 days after date of 
publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: The letter of request along with justifications can be 
viewed electronically at the docket established for this notice at 
http://www.regulations.gov. Hard copies of the documents will also be 
available for viewing at the DOT address listed below.
    Mail or hand deliver comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or fax comments to (202) 493-
2251. Alternatively, comments may be submitted via the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov (follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments). All comments should include the 
docket number that appears in the

[[Page 38607]]

heading of this document. All comments received will be available for 
examination and copying at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring 
notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard or you may print the acknowledgment page that appears 
after submitting comments electronically. All comments received into 
any docket may be searched in electronic format by the name of the 
individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted 
on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Persons 
making comments may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70, 
Pages 19477-78), or you may view the statement at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael P. Onder, Team Leader 
Truck Size and Weight and Freight Operations and Technology Team, (202) 
366-2639, Raymond W. Cuprill, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-
0791, Federal Highway Administration; 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, and Mr. Robert Tally, FHWA Division 
Administrator-Indiana, (317) 226-7476. Office hours for FHWA are from 
7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access and Filing

    You may submit or retrieve comments online through the Federal 
eRulemaking portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. The Web site is 
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Electronic submission 
and retrieval help and guidelines are available under the help section 
of the Web site.
    An electronic copy of this document may also be downloaded from 
Office of the Federal Register's home page at: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register and the Government Printing Office's Web page at: 
http://www.gpoaccess.gov.

Background

    The INDOT has submitted a request to FHWA for approval of the 
temporary closure of a segment of I-70 in Indiana (from the I-70/I-465 
west leg interchange to the I-70/I-65 south split interchange) on 
October 7, 2010, for a 12-hour period from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The 
incoming request and supporting documents can be viewed electronically 
at the docket established for this notice at http://www.regulations.gov.) This closure will be undertaken in support of the 
I-70 beautification project that will take place with the participation 
of approximately 9,100 Lilly ``Day of Service'' volunteers. These 
volunteers will be working within five different I-70 interchanges 
along both sides of I-70. Approximately 5,600 volunteers will be 
assigned to work on the north side of I-70 and approximately 3,500 
workers will be assigned to the south side. Both groups have 1 hour 
appropriated for arrival and parking as well as 1 hour for departure 
from the construction corridor. A comprehensive plan for the arrival 
and departure times, parking, and emergency evacuation (should it be 
necessary) has been developed. The INDOT has indicated that by closing 
the Interstate through the work zone, lengthy delays caused by the 
restriction of lanes will be eliminated as well as distractions to the 
motoring public caused by the 9,100 workers and associated activities. 
In addition, the temporary closure would eliminate the risk of work 
zone accidents in the area of these work zones. The INDOT believes that 
the best way to ensure the safety of the workers will be to eliminate 
vehicular travel through the corridor while the work in the interchange 
areas is being conducted. The closure also provides additional safety 
to the motorists by eliminating the distraction that could be caused by 
the significant amount of workers within the interchanges and by 
eliminating the need for traffic restrictions in the actual work zone. 
A 12-hour condensed closure provides a safer condition for workers and 
provides better conditions than a long-term construction work zone with 
the associated work zone set ups and restrictions that would otherwise 
take place over many days.
    The FHWA is responsible for enforcing the Federal regulations 
applicable to the National Network of highways that can safely and 
efficiently accommodate the large vehicles authorized by provisions of 
the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA), as amended, 
designated in accordance with 23 CFR Part 658 and listed in Appendix A. 
In accordance with sec. 658.11, the FHWA may approve deletions or 
restrictions of the Interstate system or other National Network route 
based upon specified justification criteria in sec. 658.11(d)(2). 
Requests for deletions are published in the Federal Register for notice 
and comment.
    The FHWA seeks comments on this request for temporary deletion from 
the National Network in accordance with 23 CFR 658.11(d). Specifically, 
the request is for deletion of I-70 (from the I-70/I-465 west leg 
interchange to the I-70/I-65 south split interchange) from the National 
Network on October 7, beginning at 6 a.m., for one consecutive 12-hour 
period. The temporary closure of I-70 to general traffic should have a 
negligible impact to interstate commerce. Using a comparison of lane 
mile computations, traffic will be detoured to I-465 around the south 
side of Indianapolis adding only 2 to 3 minutes additional time to 
Interstate travel. Re-routed I-70 through traffic via I-465 is 
approximately 18 miles around the south side of I-465 (to get to the 
interchange of I-70 and I-465 on the east side). If I-70 were to remain 
open with restrictions, the mileage to I-70 and I-465 on the east side 
would be approximately 16 miles. However, vehicles would be traveling 
at a reduced speed limit, resulting in large queue lengths creating 
back-ups which would add significant time to their commute. The detour 
will have a negligible impact on interstate commerce as the I-465 
diversion route would add little distance or time to an interstate or 
long distance trip. Businesses requiring deliveries adjacent to the 
closed area will be encouraged to receive deliveries before or after 
the October 7 closure times in order to minimize these local impacts.
    Commercial motor vehicles will use I-465 around the south side of 
Indianapolis. During the time of closure there will be some INDOT 
construction along the detour route and along Interstate I-465 on the 
west side of Indianapolis. The detour route will have no lane 
restrictions for motorists during this time and INDOT will not plan for 
any lane closures in other nearby construction zones. The INDOT will 
increase the Hoosier Helper workforce (freeway service patrols) along 
I-465 to address incident response and minimize any incident impacts. 
The INDOT will issue a press release to inform the community of the 
closure and will post the closure in Road Restriction System (RRS) and 
INDOT's traveler information Web site Traffic Wise (http://www.trafficwise.in.gov) to help with notification to the motorists.
    The temporary closure plan has been prepared in accordance with 
INDOT's transportation plan and has been reviewed and approved by the 
city of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police 
Department. The INDOT has reached out to Federal, State, and local 
agencies to ensure a collaborative and coordinated effort to address 
the logistical challenges of the I-70 beautification project. The 
Illinois Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of 
Transportation have been informed of this proposal.

[[Page 38608]]

Additionally, efforts have been made to work with the various transit 
systems as well as the American Trucking Association. The INDOT has met 
with, and gained support from the Indiana Motor Trucking Association, 
and has the endorsement of the city of Indianapolis, specifically The 
Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and the local business 
districts adjacent to the closure. (Full list of endorsements can be 
viewed electronically at the docket established for this notice at 
http://www.regulations.gov).
    The INDOT has carefully evaluated all possible alternatives and 
after doing so believes the temporary closure of I-70 is the best way 
to ensure the safety not only to the volunteer workers, but also to the 
motorists. The INDOT is actively working with KIB and Lilly to develop 
an aggressive communications plan utilizing local business associations 
along the I-70 corridor, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., and media 
outlets. Special consideration will be given to local and national 
trucking publications. Event day media staging areas and command posts 
are also included in the plan.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 127, 315 and 49 U.S.C. 31111, 31112, and 
31114; 23 CFR Part 658.

    Issued on: June 22, 2010.
Victor M. Mendez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-16094 Filed 7-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P