[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78968-78969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32496]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Federal Aviation Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Cook and DuPage Counties, IL

AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Revised Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA and FAA are issuing this notice to advise the public 
that a Tier Two Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the 
Elgin O'Hare--West Bypass in Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman R. Stoner, P.E., Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park 
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4600. Jim Keefer, 
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, 
Phone: (847) 294-7336. Diane M. O'Keefe, P.E., Deputy Director of 
Highways, Region One Engineer, Illinois Department of Transportation, 
201 West Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196, Phone: (847) 705-
4110. Kristi Lafleur, Executive Director, Illinois State Toll Highway 
Authority,

[[Page 78969]]

2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515, Phone: (630) 241-6800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is a revision of a June 8, 2011, 
Notice of Intent [76 FR 33401]. The revised notice is being issued to 
inform the public that the FHWA and FAA, in cooperation with the 
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State 
Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), will prepare a Tier Two Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Elgin O'Hare--West Bypass. The 
ISTHA is being added as a joint lead agency because ISTHA will be the 
primary agency responsible for implementing the project, including the 
design, operation and maintenance necessary to complete the highway 
components identified in the EIS. The study area for the EIS is along 
the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway/Thorndale Avenue between Chicago O'Hare 
International Airport (O'Hare) and Lake Street/US Route 20, and on a 
proposed alignment connecting I-90 and I-294 along the west side of 
O'Hare. The Tier Two EIS will present further detail on the 
alternatives for the preferred transportation system concept that 
resulted from the Tier One EIS, an evaluation of the environmental 
impacts of the alternatives, and actions for mitigating project impacts 
to environmental resources.
    The primary environmental resources that may be affected are: 
residential, commercial, and industrial properties; streams and 
floodplains; wetlands; and open space. This project is being developed 
using the Illinois Department of Transportation's Context Sensitive 
Solutions policy. Alternatives to be evaluated will include (1) taking 
no action and (2) complete transportation system alternatives for the 
Tier One corridor that include consideration of design options, 
financing options, construction sequencing options, and the inclusion 
of transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
    The Tier One Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP), which met the 
SAFETEA-LU Coordination Plan requirements, will be updated to ensure 
that a full range of issues related to Tier Two of this project are 
identified and addressed. The SIP provides meaningful opportunities for 
all stakeholders to participate in defining transportation issues and 
solutions for the study area. The web site established for this project 
(www.elginohare-westbypass.org) is one element of the project public 
involvement program.
    Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the Tier 
Two EIS are invited from all interested parties and should be directed 
to the FHWA at the address provided above. The Tier Two Draft EIS will 
be available for public and agency review after its publication. A 
public hearing will be held during the public comment period for the 
draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time and place of public 
meetings and hearing. The Tier Two EIS will conclude with the selection 
of a preferred alternative documented in the Record of Decision.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program).

James G. Keefer,
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Des Plaines, Illinois.
    Issued on: December 12, 2011.
Norman R. Stoner,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Springfield, 
Illinois.
[FR Doc. 2011-32496 Filed 12-19-11; 8:45 am]
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