[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78968-78969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32496]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Cook and DuPage Counties, IL
AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Revised Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA and FAA are issuing this notice to advise the public
that a Tier Two Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the
Elgin O'Hare--West Bypass in Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman R. Stoner, P.E., Division
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4600. Jim Keefer,
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, Federal Aviation
Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018,
Phone: (847) 294-7336. Diane M. O'Keefe, P.E., Deputy Director of
Highways, Region One Engineer, Illinois Department of Transportation,
201 West Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196, Phone: (847) 705-
4110. Kristi Lafleur, Executive Director, Illinois State Toll Highway
Authority,
[[Page 78969]]
2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515, Phone: (630) 241-6800.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is a revision of a June 8, 2011,
Notice of Intent [76 FR 33401]. The revised notice is being issued to
inform the public that the FHWA and FAA, in cooperation with the
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State
Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), will prepare a Tier Two Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Elgin O'Hare--West Bypass. The
ISTHA is being added as a joint lead agency because ISTHA will be the
primary agency responsible for implementing the project, including the
design, operation and maintenance necessary to complete the highway
components identified in the EIS. The study area for the EIS is along
the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway/Thorndale Avenue between Chicago O'Hare
International Airport (O'Hare) and Lake Street/US Route 20, and on a
proposed alignment connecting I-90 and I-294 along the west side of
O'Hare. The Tier Two EIS will present further detail on the
alternatives for the preferred transportation system concept that
resulted from the Tier One EIS, an evaluation of the environmental
impacts of the alternatives, and actions for mitigating project impacts
to environmental resources.
The primary environmental resources that may be affected are:
residential, commercial, and industrial properties; streams and
floodplains; wetlands; and open space. This project is being developed
using the Illinois Department of Transportation's Context Sensitive
Solutions policy. Alternatives to be evaluated will include (1) taking
no action and (2) complete transportation system alternatives for the
Tier One corridor that include consideration of design options,
financing options, construction sequencing options, and the inclusion
of transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
The Tier One Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP), which met the
SAFETEA-LU Coordination Plan requirements, will be updated to ensure
that a full range of issues related to Tier Two of this project are
identified and addressed. The SIP provides meaningful opportunities for
all stakeholders to participate in defining transportation issues and
solutions for the study area. The web site established for this project
(www.elginohare-westbypass.org) is one element of the project public
involvement program.
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the Tier
Two EIS are invited from all interested parties and should be directed
to the FHWA at the address provided above. The Tier Two Draft EIS will
be available for public and agency review after its publication. A
public hearing will be held during the public comment period for the
draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time and place of public
meetings and hearing. The Tier Two EIS will conclude with the selection
of a preferred alternative documented in the Record of Decision.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this
program).
James G. Keefer,
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, Federal Aviation
Administration, Des Plaines, Illinois.
Issued on: December 12, 2011.
Norman R. Stoner,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Springfield,
Illinois.
[FR Doc. 2011-32496 Filed 12-19-11; 8:45 am]
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