[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38708-38709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15662]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Ouachita 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 bridge 
and highway project in Ouachita 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 
in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and 
Development (DOTD), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) on a proposal to construct the LA 143--US 165 Connector and 
Ouachita River Bridge in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
    The proposed project consists of a 1.8-mile highway north of the 
corporate limits of West Monroe connecting Louisiana Highway 143 (LA 
143) to a new bridge crossing of the Ouachita River, and a 3.7-mile 
highway north of the Monroe city limits connecting the new bridge to 
U.S. Highway 165 (US 165). The southern connection intersects with US 
165 at the Forsythe Avenue Extension and the future Kansas Lane 
Connector. The northern connection intersects with US 165 at Fink's 
Hideaway Road.
    The LA 143--US 165 Connector and Ouachita River Bridge project is 
designed to reduce traffic congestion on existing Ouachita River bridge 
crossings north of Interstate 20, link rural transportation facilities, 
and provide a segment of independent utility for a future, complete 
roadway loop around the cities of Monroe and West Monroe in an effort 
to move people and goods more efficiently across the Ouachita River and 
within rural portions of Ouachita Parish.
    The bridge location and new highway alignments were developed in 
the Stage 0 Feasibility Report prepared in July 2008 and supported by 
the Ouachita Council of Governments Monroe Urbanized Metropolitan 
Transportation Plan 2035 Study. Two build alternatives proposed in the 
Stage 0 Report, along with the No Build alternative, will be evaluated 
in the EIS. An additional build alternative may also be developed for 
evaluation in the EIS depending upon social, economic, and 
environmental considerations made known through formal scoping meetings 
that will be held upon initiation of the project. Incorporated into and 
studied with the various build alternatives will be design variations 
of grade and alignment and a Level I Toll Study.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are 
known to have an interest in this proposal. Federal agencies with 
jurisdiction by law with regard to social, economic, and environmental 
impacts of this proposal will be requested to be a Cooperating Agency 
in this matter in accordance

[[Page 38709]]

with 40 Code of Federal Regulations 1501.6. In addition to scoping 
meetings, numerous public involvement initiatives, including public 
meetings, newsletters, and stakeholder and local official briefings, 
will be held throughout the course of study. A Draft EIS will be 
available for public and agency review prior to a public hearing. 
Public notice will be given, in local newspapers, of the availability 
of the Draft EIS and the time and place of all public meetings and the 
public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 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: June 21, 2012.
Charles W. Bolinger,
Division Administrator, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
[FR Doc. 2012-15662 Filed 6-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P