[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 6622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2772]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Caddo Parish, LA

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 an 
Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a proposed highway 
project in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Carl M. Highsmith, Project 
Delivery Team Leader, Louisiana Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, 5304 Flanders Drive, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, 
Telephone: (225) 757-7615; or online at www.I49shreveport.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Louisiana 
Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the Northwest 
Louisiana Council of Governments (NLCOG), will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct the I-49 Inner City 
Connector.
    The proposed project is an approximate 3.8 mile new freeway 
designed to connect existing I-49 at its current junction with I-20 to 
future I-49 North at its proposed junction with I-220 in Shreveport, 
Louisiana. The proposed project will provide for improved connectivity 
and reduce the distance between existing I-49 and future I-49 North by 
approximately 7 miles. Alternatives under consideration include: (1) 
Taking no action; (2) constructing an elevated freeway on new location; 
(3) constructing an at-grade freeway on new location; and (4) 
constructing a freeway that is partly elevated and partly at-grade on 
new location. Incorporated into and studied with the various build 
alternatives will be design variations of grade and alignment.
    Letters describing the proposed project and soliciting comments 
were 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 Community Input 
Meetings were held at various locations in Shreveport in December 2011. 
In addition, a second round of Community Input Meetings are planned for 
spring 2012 followed by a Public Hearing late 2012. 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. A formal scoping meeting was held at NLCOG on 
October 18, 2011, when the NLCOG approved the decision to move the 
project forward as an Environmental Assessment. On December 1, 2011, 
FHWA determined the required class of action to comply with the NEPA 
process as an Environmental Impact Statement. Additional public scoping 
was conducted during the Community Input Meetings held in December 
2011.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
project are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments, 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed project 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 12, 2012.
Charles W. Bolinger,
Division Administrator, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
[FR Doc. 2012-2772 Filed 2-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P