[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 250 (Friday, December 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-32199]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 30, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Amador County, CA
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway
project in Amador County, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis A. Scovill, Chief, District Operations, Federal Highway
Administration, 980 9th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814-2724,
Telephone: (916) 498-5034.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the California
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve State Route (SR) 49 in Amador
County, California. The proposed project would provide a bypass of the
existing SR 49 between Martell on the south near the junction with SR
88, and SR 16 on the north, a distance of 11.6 km.
Improvements in this area are considered necessary to alleviate
major deficiencies of the existing narrow roadbed, short-radius curves,
inadequate sight distances and excessively steep grades; and the
necessity for interregional traffic to traverse the narrow congested
city streets of Sutter Creek, Amador City and Drytown. Alternatives
under consideration include (1) taking no action; (2) constructing a
two or four-lane, limited access highway on an alignment which
partially utilizes the existing alignment; and (3) constructing a two
or four-lane, limited access highway on an alignment which bypasses the
existing route to the west. Travel demand on SR 49 is expected to
double by the design year 2020, resulting in severe congestion and
unacceptable levels of service.
The proposed project has the potential of affecting a number of
known historic resources, including one or more eligible for the
National Register of Historic Places.
Construction is expected to occur in several stages, with some
portions of the route being built before others. Initial construction
of all stages will be for two lanes with passing lanes provided where
needed. However, Caltrans will initially purchase adequate right of way
for the eventual four lane project.
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies, and to
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are
known to have interest in this proposal. A public meeting will be held
in January, 1995, for scoping purposes. Additional informal meetings
are expected to be held with appropriate groups who express further
interest in the project. A public hearing will be held. Public notice
will be given of the time and place of all formal meetings and the
hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review
and comment prior to the public hearing.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to the FHWA at the address provided above. (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.)
Issued on: December 22, 1994.
Dennis A. Scovill,
Chief, District Operations, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 94-32199 Filed 12-29-94; 8:45 am]
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