[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78967-78968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32492]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Second Tier Environmental Impact Statement: Jackson County, MO

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
Second Tier Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for 
proposed improvements to I-70 from west of the

[[Page 78968]]

Paseo Boulevard interchange to east of the Blue Ridge Cutoff 
interchange in Jackson County, Missouri.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Ms. Peggy J. Casey, Program Development Team Leader, FHWA Division 
Office, 3220 West Edgewood, Suite H, Jefferson City, MO 65109, 
Telephone: (573) 636-7104; or Mr. David Nichols, Chief Engineer, 
Missouri Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 
65102, Telephone: (573) 751-4586.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Missouri 
Department of Transportation (MoDOT), will prepare a Second Tier EIS to 
consider impacts of improvements to I-70 from west of the Paseo 
Boulevard interchange to east of the Blue Ridge Cutoff interchange in 
Jackson County, Missouri. The project length is approximately 6.8 
miles.
    In July 2008, FHWA in partnership with MoDOT initiated the I-70 
First Tier EIS process for approximately 18 miles of I-70 corridor from 
the end of the last ramp termini east of the Missouri and Kansas state 
line to east of the I-470 interchange, including the entire Kansas 
City, Missouri Central Business District (CBD) Freeway Loop. Its 
purpose was to determine an improvement strategy for the corridor to 
address the following needs: Improve safety, reduce congestion, restore 
and maintain existing infrastructure, improve accessibility, and 
improve goods movement. Various concepts were combined to develop 15 
initial strategies that were screened down to four first tier 
strategies. These four strategies included the No-Build Strategy, 
Improve Key Bottlenecks Strategy, Add General Lanes Strategy, and 
Transportation Improvement Corridor Strategy. After analysis and public 
review, the First Tier EIS identified a Selected Strategy to improve 
the I-70 corridor. The Selected Strategy is the Improve Key Bottlenecks 
Strategy from the downtown loop to east of I-435. From east of I-435 to 
I-470, the Selected Strategy is either the Improve Key Bottlenecks 
Strategy or the Add General Lanes Strategy. In March 2010, the Draft 
First Tier EIS was published. A 49-day comment period, which included 
two public hearings and an online public hearing, followed publication 
of the draft. In December 2010, the Final First Tier EIS was published, 
with a Record of Decision published in April 2011.
    The First Tier EIS recommended that the second tier environmental 
studies for the 18-mile I-70 corridor be divided into five sections of 
independent utility (SIU). The intent of the second tier environmental 
studies is to build on and extend the work of the First Tier EIS for 
improving I-70 as part of the Mid-America Regional Council's long-range 
transportation plan. Each SIU will be evaluated to the appropriate 
level of detail (CE, EA, or EIS) within the National Environmental 
Policy Act process.
    FHWA and MoDOT are now preparing a Second Tier EIS that covers the 
section of I-70 from west of the Paseo Boulevard Interchange to east of 
the Blue Ridge Cutoff interchange, encompassing two SIUs from the First 
Tier EIS. The two SIUs are the Urban SIU (Paseo Boulevard to U.S. 40) 
and I-435 Interchange SIU (U.S. 40 to Blue Ridge Cutoff). The Second 
Tier EIS will carry forward and refine the needs identified from the 
First Tier EIS and conduct an alternative analysis based on the Improve 
Key Bottlenecks Strategy. Through this study, more specific definitions 
of the improvements and their potential impacts will be developed for 
consideration by the general public and the various environmental and 
community resource agencies. Examples of these improvements include 
modifying access, fixing existing pavement and bridges, improving 
interchange ramps, adding collector-distributor roads, and providing 
for bus transit on shoulder. The Second Tier EIS will also evaluate a 
no-build alternative and alternatives coordinated with ongoing regional 
transit studies.
    As part of the scoping process, interagency coordination meetings 
will be held with federal and state resource agencies and local 
agencies. In addition, informational meetings with the public and 
community representatives will be held to solicit input on the project. 
A location public hearing will be held to present the findings of the 
Draft Second Tier EIS. Public notice will be given announcing the time 
and place of all public meetings and the hearing. The Draft Second Tier 
EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to 
the public hearing.
    The Second Tier EIS will conform to the environmental review 
process as established in Section 6002 of the Safe, Accountable, 
Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users 
(SAFETEA-LU). The Section 6002 environmental review process requires 
the following activities: Identification and invitation of cooperating 
and participating agencies; establishment of a coordination plan; and 
opportunities for additional agency and public comment on the project's 
purpose and need, strategies, and methodologies for determining 
impacts.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action is addressed and all significant issues are identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments and 
questions concerning this proposed action and the Second Tier EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA or MoDOT at the addresses provided 
above. Concerns in the study area include potential impacts to natural 
resources, cultural resources, and communities.

(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: December 14, 2011.
Peggy J. Casey,
Program Development Team Leader, Jefferson City.
[FR Doc. 2011-32492 Filed 12-19-11; 8:45 am]
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