[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 156 (Wednesday, August 12, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 48756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17574]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Travis 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 two non-tolled managed lanes in each direction 
along Interstate Highway 35 (I-35) from US Highway 290 (US 290) East to 
US 290 West/State Highway (SH) 71, and add direct connectors at I-35/US 
290 East, in Austin, Travis County, Texas (referred to as the Capital 
Express Central Project).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Kaliszewski, P.E., Transportation 
Engineer, TxDOT Austin District, 7901 N I-35, Austin, TX 78753; Phone: 
(512) 832-7183; Email: [email protected].

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.
    TxDOT will prepare an EIS for proposed improvements to I-35 through 
the city of Austin, Texas. The project is anticipated to be 
approximately 8 miles long on I-35, from US 290 East to US 290 West/SH 
71.
    The EIS will evaluate a range of build alternatives and a no-build 
alternative. Possible alternatives include lowered sections of managed 
and general purpose lanes. Each build alternative would include various 
operational and safety enhancements that optimize the roadway 
footprint, and would reconstruct ramps, bridges, and intersections; 
improve frontage roads; enhance bicycle and pedestrian accommodations; 
accommodate transit routes; and add direct connectors at I-35/US 290 
East.
    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 Fall/Winter 2020. Event details are still being 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, the 
schedule, and the project purpose and need, as well as providing the 
opportunity to discuss the range of alternatives and methodologies and 
level of detail for analyzing alternatives. In addition to the agency 
and public scoping meetings, public meetings and comprehensive 
stakeholder engagement will take place and 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.)

Michael T. Leary,
Director, Planning and Program Development, Federal Highway 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-17574 Filed 8-11-20; 8:45 am]
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