[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 20714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07936]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Cook County, Illinois

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Revised Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this revised notice of intent to advise 
the public that an environmental impact statement is being prepared for 
the proposed I-290 highway improvement project in Cook County, 
Illinois, and that the project limits in the Notice of Intent (NOI) 
published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2010 have been 
expanded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Michael Bowen, P.E., Acting 
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive 
Park Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4600. John 
Fortmann, P.E., Acting Deputy Director of Highways, Acting Region One 
Engineer, District 1, Illinois Department of Transportation, 201 W. 
Center Court, Schaumburg, IL. 60196-1096, Phone: (847) 705-4110.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois 
Department of Transportation, is preparing an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve Interstate 290 (I-290) located 
in Cook County, Illinois. Based on public input and studies conducted 
to date, FHWA and IDOT now will include an additional section of I-290 
from east of IL 50 (Cicero Avenue) to Racine Avenue in the EIS so that 
the limits of the proposed improvements are from west of Mannheim Road 
to Racine Avenue, a total distance of 13.0 miles. The additional 
section between east of Cicero Avenue and Racine Avenue may include 
operational improvements consisting of the potential conversion of two 
or more lanes of the eight lane expressway to accommodate managed lanes 
or various tolling strategies.
    Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary due to safety 
concerns, operational issues, traffic congestion, and age of facility. 
Alternatives under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) a 
full range of multi-modal build alternatives that involve 
reconstruction of all, or portions of, I-290 and the rehabilitation of 
the remainder to include operational changes.
    Improvements to I-290 have the potential to affect environmental 
features in the project area depending on the alternative selected. The 
corridor is located in a highly developed mature urban setting with 
limited biological and natural resources. The built environment has the 
potential to be effected. Some features include: cemeteries, parks, 
special waste sites, nearby historic districts, possible residential 
and commercial displacements, sensitive noise receptors, a crossing of 
the Des Plaines River, and related indirect and cumulative impact 
considerations.
    Letters have been sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local 
agencies reflecting the revised project limits, describing the proposed 
action, and soliciting comments. Input from Resource Agencies will 
continue to be obtained through the established stakeholder involvement 
methods including the Corridor Advisory Group (CAG) and NEPA/404 Merger 
process.
    The Illinois Department of Transportation's Context Sensitive 
Solutions (CSS) process will continue to be used for public 
involvement. The existing Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP) will be 
updated to ensure that the full range of issues related to the change 
in project limits are identified and addressed. The SIP will continue 
to provide meaningful opportunities for all stakeholders to participate 
in defining transportation issues and solutions for the study area. The 
Corridor Advisory Group will continue as a primary method of 
stakeholder interaction. In addition, a public hearing and comment 
period will be held following the release of the Draft EIS. Public 
notice will be given for the time and place of the public hearing. A 
project Web site has been established (www.eisenhowerexpressway.com) as 
one element of the project public involvement process.
    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: April 1, 2013.
J. Michael Bowen,
Acting Division Administrator, Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 2013-07936 Filed 4-4-13; 8:45 am]
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