[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66355-66357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23917]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: El Paso 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: 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 study the effects of the project on Interstate Highway 10 
(I-10), known as the Downtown 10 project. The limits of the proposed 
project are from Executive

[[Page 66356]]

Center Boulevard (Blvd.) to State Loop (SL) 478 (Copia Street) in El 
Paso County, Texas. The proposed project is approximately 5.7 miles in 
length.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hugo Hernandez, TxDOT Project Manager, 
13301 Gateway Boulevard West, El Paso, TX, 79928-5410, (915) 790-4243, 
[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.

Purpose and Need

    The Downtown 10 project is needed because of:

     Traffic congestion and mobility issues
     Concerns surrounding incident management
     Failure to meet current design standards
    By providing a long-term transportation solution for the City of El 
Paso, El Paso County, and the region, the purpose of the proposed 
project is to:

 Improve mobility and long-term congestion management
 Improve incident management
 Bring the facility up to current design standards

Proposed Action

    The proposed project would improve I-10 from Executive Center Blvd. 
and SL 478 (Copia Street), a distance of approximately 5.7 miles. 
Traveling through downtown El Paso, the proposed improvements may 
include widening and reconstruction of the mainlanes, continuous 
frontage roads, retaining walls, bridges, ramps, and cross streets to 
overcome deterioration of pavement and bridges to include bicycle and 
pedestrian facilities.

Alternatives

    The EIS will evaluate a range of build alternatives and a no-build 
alternative.
    Provided below is background information on alternative analyses 
conducted to date. From 2017 through 2019, the TxDOT Reimagine I-10 
Corridor Study (study) included extensive public outreach and high-
level engineering/environmental evaluations of future needs for the I-
10 corridor. The study resulted in a recommended study alternative for 
the entire 55-mile-long corridor. As a result, the Downtown 10 project 
(Segment 2 of the study) was initiated, and the first Public Meeting 
was held virtually from June 25 through July 15, 2020. The Public 
Meeting showed the recommended study alternative and requested 
additional public and stakeholder input in order to create more 
detailed conceptual alternatives. After Public Meeting #1, TxDOT 
utilized detailed engineering and environmental constraint criteria and 
the public/stakeholder feedback to identify 18 build alternatives, 
which were narrowed to nine conceptual build alternatives. The 
constraint criteria included mobility, design, multimodal, and 
environmental considerations.
    The conceptual alternatives were then screened to three viable 
build alternatives (Alternatives D, G, and H). This process was 
presented in Public Meeting #2 (held virtually from February 24 through 
March 16, 2021) for additional public feedback and further study. The 
no-build alternative has and will be carried through the process as a 
baseline condition. Possible build alternatives include the following:

Alternative D

    Alternative D proposes reconstruction and widening of the existing 
I-10 facility. From Executive Center Boulevard to University Drive, 
Alternative D shifts the I-10 alignment to the north/east. From 
University Drive to Campbell Street, Alternative D follows the existing 
alignment. From Campbell Street to Ange Street, Alternative D shifts 
the I-10 alignment to the north. From Ange Street to Piedras Street, 
Alternative D shifts the I-10 alignment to the south. From Piedras 
Street to SL 478 (Copia Street), Alternative D follows the existing 
alignment. Alternative D proposes new eastbound and westbound non-
tolled managed lanes called adaptive lanes, an additional eastbound and 
westbound general purpose lane, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge at 
Prospect Street, the addition of an eastbound one-way collector roadway 
between Kansas Street and Piedras Street, a shared use path from 
Executive Center Boulevard to University Drive and from Santa Fe Street 
to SL 478 (Copia Street), and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations 
along cross street bridges. Additional capacity, operational, and 
bicycle and pedestrian accommodations would be considered for this 
alternative.

Alternative G

    Alternative G proposes reconstruction and widening of the existing 
I-10 facility. From Executive Center Boulevard to Yandell Drive, 
Alternative G shifts the I-10 alignment to the north/east. From Yandell 
Drive to Santa Fe Street Alternative G follows the existing alignment. 
From Santa Fe Street to Ange Street, Alternative G shifts the I-10 
alignment to the north. From Ange Street to Piedras Street, Alternative 
G shifts the I-10 alignment to the south. From Piedras Street to SL 478 
(Copia Street), Alternative G follows the existing alignment. 
Alternative G proposes new eastbound and westbound non-tolled managed 
lanes called adaptive lanes, an additional eastbound and westbound 
general purpose lane, the addition of one-way collector roadways 
(eastbound and westbound) between Executive Center Boulevard and Santa 
Fe Street, the addition of an eastbound one-way collector roadway 
between Kansas Street and Piedras Street, a shared use path from 
Executive Center Boulevard to SL 478 (Copia Street), bi-directional 
cycle tracks from Santa Fe Street to Stanton Street, and bicycle and 
pedestrian accommodations along cross street bridges. Additional 
capacity, operational, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations would 
be considered for this alternative.

Alternative H

    Alternative H proposes reconstruction and widening of the existing 
I-10 facility. From Executive Center Boulevard to Yandell Drive, 
Alternative H shifts the I-10 alignment to the north/east. From Yandell 
Drive to Santa Fe Street, Alternative H follows the existing alignment. 
From Santa Fe Street to Ange Street, Alternative H shifts the I-10 
alignment to the north. From Ange Street to Piedras Street Alternative 
H shifts the I-10 alignment to the south. From Piedras Street to SL 478 
(Copia Street), Alternative H follows the existing alignment. 
Alternative H proposes new eastbound and westbound non-tolled managed 
lanes called adaptive lanes, an additional eastbound and westbound 
general purpose lane, the addition of one-way collector roadways 
(eastbound and westbound) between Executive Center Boulevard and Santa 
Fe Street, the addition of an eastbound one-way collector roadway 
between Kansas Street and Piedras Street, eastbound and westbound 
collector-distributor connectors between Campbell Street and SL 478 
(Copia Street), a shared use path from Executive Center Boulevard to SL 
478 (Copia Street), bi-directional cycle tracks from Santa Fe Street to 
Stanton Street, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations along cross 
street bridges. Additional capacity, operational, and bicycle and 
pedestrian accommodations would be considered for this alternative.

[[Page 66357]]

Potential Project Impacts

    Section 106 and Section 4(f) Historic Properties. The proposed 
build alternatives will be evaluated for potential adverse impacts to 
historic properties (i.e., properties that are eligible for or listed 
in the National Register of Historic Places) within the study area.
    Environmental Justice (EJ). The proposed build alternatives will be 
evaluated for potential adverse impacts to EJ communities due to 
anticipated relocations as well as other impacts such as access, noise, 
and visual aesthetics. Additional analysis and public involvement will 
be conducted during the National Environmental Policy Act process to 
assess if the project would result in any disproportionately high and 
adverse effects on low-income and minority communities.
    Air Quality. The project is located in the El Paso Moderate 
Nonattainment area for Particulate Matter (PM) 10, Attainment/
Maintenance Area for Carbon Monoxide (CO), and the 2015 Marginal 
Nonattainment area for Ozone (O3). As such, the proposed build 
alternatives will be evaluated for potential adverse impacts to air 
quality and will be subject to a project level conformity 
determination.
    The EIS will evaluate the potential impacts and benefits to the 
resources/communities identified above as well as the following other 
subject areas: Limited English Proficiency communities, land use, 
right-of-way, social and community resources, traffic noise, wildlife 
and threatened and endangered species, water resources, hazardous 
materials sites, and visual resources.
    It is anticipated that the following would be required: Texas 
Antiquities Code permit and concurrence, Section 106 historic/
archeological resources concurrence, Section 4(f) evaluation approval, 
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Nationwide Permit(s), and conformity 
determination under the Clean Air Act.

Tentative Schedule

Agency Scoping Meeting: November 30, 2022
Public Scoping Meeting: November 30, 2022
    In addition to the public scoping meeting, a public hearing will be 
held after the Draft EIS is prepared. Public notice will be given of 
the time and place of the hearing. After the public hearing and end of 
Draft EIS comment period, issuance of the Final EIS/Record of Decision 
is anticipated. If a build alternative is selected, all permits and 
authorization decisions would occur before construction. TxDOT will 
issue a single Final EIS 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. An in-person public scoping 
meeting is planned for Wednesday, November 30, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 7 
p.m. MT at the El Paso Convention Center (Juarez Room) One Civic Center 
Plaza, El Paso, Texas, 79901. A virtual option will go live at 4 p.m. 
MT on November 30, 2022. Additional information on both options will be 
provided at https://www.txdot.gov/ by searching for ``El Paso Downtown 
10--Virtual Public Scoping Meeting with In-Person Option''.
    The public scoping meeting will provide an opportunity for the 
public to review and comment on the draft coordination plan and 
schedule, the project's purpose and need, the range of alternatives, 
and methodologies and level of detail for analyzing alternatives. It 
will also allow the public an opportunity to provide input on any 
expected environmental impacts, anticipated permits or other 
authorizations, and any significant issues that should be analyzed in 
depth in the EIS. In addition to the public scoping meeting, a public 
hearing will be held after the draft EIS is prepared. Public notice 
will be given of the time and place of the hearing.
    The public meeting will be conducted in English. If you need an 
interpreter or document translator because English is not your primary 
language or you have difficulty communicating effectively in English, 
one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and need 
assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. 
If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a person 
with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and 
participate in the public meeting, please contact Lauren Macias-
Cervantes, Public Information Officer, El Paso District, at 
[email protected] or please call (915) 790-4341 no later 
than 4 p.m. MT, Monday, November 21, 2022. Please be aware that advance 
notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time 
for TxDOT to arrange.
    The public is requested to identify in writing potential 
alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to this proposed 
project. Such information may be provided in writing by mail to the 
TxDOT El Paso District Office, Attn: Downtown 10/Hugo Hernandez, 13301 
Gateway Boulevard West, El Paso, Texas 79928-5410. Electronic comments 
may also be submitted by email to [email protected] or through the 
virtual site. Additionally, members of the public may also call (915) 
209-0027 and leave recorded comments. Comments must be received by 
January 11, 2023.

(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. 2022-23917 Filed 11-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P