[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 60 (Friday, March 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 17376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05601]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Smith County, Texas

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

ACTION: Federal notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of TxDOT, is issuing this notice to advise 
the public that an EIS will be prepared for a proposed transportation 
project to construct Toll 49, Segment 6 located partially within and 
just east of the City of Tyler in Smith County, Texas. The project is 
sponsored by the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Ford, Project Delivery Manager, 
Environmental Affairs Division, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 
E 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2483, telephone (512) 416-2687, 
email: [email protected]. TxDOT's normal business hours are 8:00 
a.m. to 5 p.m. (central time), Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review, consultation, and 
other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for 
this project are being, or have been, carried out by TxDOT pursuant to 
23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9, 2019, 
and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
    Toll 49, Segment 6 will be an extension of Toll 49 from the Toll 
49, Segment 5 eastern terminus at State Highway (SH) 110 to United 
States (US) 271. There is no existing facility; therefore, the project 
is proposed on a new location. The proposed roadway will consist of an 
interim two-lane facility (one lane in each direction) with an 
intermittent single passing lane that alternates direction along the 
length of the corridor (Super 2) and an ultimate four-lane divided 
highway.
    The EIS will evaluate a range of build alternatives and a no-build 
alternative. Possible build alternatives include three route options 
identified in the Toll 49, Segment 6 Feasibility Study completed in 
November 2019. The three route options begin at the Toll 49, Segment 5 
terminus at SH 110, end at different locations on US 271, and range 
from 10 to 13 miles long. TxDOT will issue a single Final Environmental 
Impact Statement and Record of Decision document pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 
139(n)(2), unless TxDOT determines statutory criteria or practicability 
considerations preclude issuance of a combined document.
    In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139, cooperating agencies, 
participating agencies, and the public will be given an opportunity for 
continued input on project development. A public scoping meeting is 
planned for Spring 2020 at a location to be determined. An agency 
scoping meeting will also be held with participating and cooperating 
agencies. The agency and public scoping meetings will provide an 
opportunity for the participating/cooperating agencies and public to 
review and comment on the draft coordination plan and schedule, the 
project purpose and need, the range of alternatives, and methodologies 
and level of detail for analyzing alternatives. In addition to the 
agency and public scoping meetings, a public hearing will be held. 
Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and 
hearing.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction.)

    Issued on: March 12, 2020.
Michael T. Leary,
Director, Planning and Program Development, Federal Highway 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-05601 Filed 3-26-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-22-P