[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 52537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21455]



[[Page 52537]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Notice of Intent for Interstate 55 Interchange in Shelby County, 
Tennessee

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that a limited scope supplemental 
environmental impact statement (SEIS) will be prepared to determine 
construction phasing impacts for the Interstate 55 (I-55) Interchange 
at E.H. Crump Boulevard and South Boulevard project in the City of 
Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Claxton, Planning and Program 
Management Team Leader, Tennessee Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, 404 BNA Drive, Suite 508, Nashville, TN 37217, 
telephone: 615-781-5770.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FHWA, in cooperation with the Tennessee 
Department of Transportation (TDOT), prepared a Draft EIS (DEIS) and a 
Final EIS (FEIS) for proposed improvements to the I-55 interchange at 
E.H. Crump Boulevard in the City of Memphis. The DEIS was approved on 
March 25, 2009. The FEIS was approved on June 28, 2011. The FEIS 
examined four alternatives in detail. On January 25, 2012, FHWA issued 
a Record of Decision (ROD) identifying the Selected Alternative and the 
reasons for its selection. The Selected Alternative consists of 
replacing the existing cloverleaf interchange with a new interchange 
configuration that will provide through lanes for mainline I-55 
traffic, eliminating the need for interstate traffic to utilize single-
lane, low speed ramps in order to continue on I-55. A new multi-lane 
roundabout interchange will be constructed, replacing the existing 
cloverleaf interchange, providing improved access to and from I-55 and 
existing local roadways.
    The FEIS and ROD are available for review on the project Web site 
at http://www.tn.gov/tdot/article/i-55-crump.
    Since the issuance of the ROD, TDOT has taken several major steps 
to advance the project towards construction. Based on a 
constructability review, TDOT became aware that a total closure of the 
I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River (Memphis-Arkansas Bridge) may be 
necessary. During this possible closure, traffic would be detoured to 
the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge. A second constructability review 
determined that this closure could be up to 9 months. The impacts of a 
total closure of the I-55 bridge for up to nine months had not been 
evaluated in the ROD and therefore TDOT agreed to further explore the 
proposed construction phasing of the project via a reevaluation of the 
EIS. The reevaluation process involved additional studies on traffic, 
emergency services, and socioeconomic impacts and a public involvement 
process. TDOT held public meetings in both West Memphis, Arkansas and 
in Memphis, Tennessee to gather comments and concerns voiced by 
regional stakeholders and solicited written input through an on-line 
survey.
    Through this process, TDOT, in coordination with FHWA, determined 
that the proposed construction phasing would result in potentially 
significant impacts not previously assessed and disclosed in the EIS. 
Therefore, TDOT concluded the Reevaluation with the determination that 
a Limited Scope Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 
should be undertaken.
    The analysis of impacts relating to construction phasing, and any 
potential changes to the construction phasing that may result, will not 
change the design or location of the alternatives under consideration 
or previous environmental studies, impacts or proposed mitigation 
committed to in the project Record of Decision. The scope of the SEIS 
will be limited to the social, economic, and environmental effects of 
the construction phasing for the I-55 Interchange at E.H. Crump 
Boulevard.
    The SEIS process will include an invitation letter sent to 
potential cooperating agencies, participating agencies, and Section 106 
consulting parties inviting the agencies to officially take part in the 
SEIS process. One or more public hearings will be held to solicit 
public input. In addition, a formal comment period for the public and 
agencies will be provided following the publication of the Draft SEIS. 
Written and verbal comments on the Draft SEIS will be taken by mail and 
at the public hearings. Public notice will be given on the time and 
place of the future public hearings. The comments received will be 
responded to in the Final SEIS.
    Questions concerning this proposed closure and the SEIS should be 
directed to Steve Chipman, Project Manager, Tennessee Department of 
Transportation, 300 Benchmark Place, Jackson, TN 38301, telephone 731-
935-0157.

    Dated: August 24, 2015.
Pamela M. Kordenbrock,
Division Administrator, Nashville, TN.
[FR Doc. 2015-21455 Filed 8-28-15; 8:45 am]
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