[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 165 (Friday, August 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43569-43570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21367]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford
Counties, Illinois
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 a
transportation corridor study followed by an environmental impact
statement will be prepared for a proposed project in the eastern Peoria
metropolitan area which included the counties of Peoria, Tazewell and
Woodford.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Walter Waidelich, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4622.
Dale E. Risinger, District Engineer, Illinois Department of
Transportation, 401 Main Street, Peoria, Illinois 61602-1111, Phone:
(309) 671-3333.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois
Department of Transportation, will prepare a transportation corridor
study followed by an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the
eastern Peoria metropolitan area. The proposed corridors being studied
are commonly known as the Eastern Ring Road. The proposed project is a
study of three corridors approximately 32 km in length which will link
Illinois Route 6 on the west side of the Illinois River to Interstate
74 on the east side of the Illinois River. Project limits are generally
defined by a connection to Illinois Route 6 near Mossville on the
northwest, and Interstate 74 at the south and eastern limit.
Communities involved include Mossville, Spring Bay, Germantown Hills,
Washington, East Peoria, and Morton, Illinois.
This two year proposed project will study three corridors, select a
preferred corridor for detailed engineering and environmental analysis,
select a recommended alignment within the preferred corridor and create
a final corridor protection map. All potential corridors will be
studied through extensive data collection, aerial mapping, field
inspection, and environmental and engineering studies. Use of this
information will help in creating design and operational criteria,
drainage and flood plain inventory, an identification of corridor
impacts, exhibits for the public input, and a corridor protection map.
A preferred corridor will be recommended and presented at a Public
Hearing. Alternate alignments will be studied for the preferred
corridor once it has been identified. Alternates studied will address
engineering and environmental concerns in order that an alignment can
be identified which meets the transportation needs of the region and
minimizes the impacts to the environment. Alignment studies will
produce one preferred alternate with its location, type of facility,
preliminary interchange geometrics, engineering and environmental
impacts identified, preliminary measures to minimize harm, probable
construction cost estimate and estimated right of way requirements
identified. A second Public Information Meeting will be held to obtain
input during the alignment selection process with the final selected
alignment presented at a Public Hearing. Right of way requirements will
be established for corridor preservation and a corridor protection map
will be prepared for the recommended alignment.
The transportation corridor study will be followed by an
Environmental Impact Statement. Alternatives to be studied include (1)
Taking no action; including the development of ancillary facilities to
enhance mass transit and/or traffic demand management (2) upgrading
existing facilities and (3) construction on a new alignment as
identified in the corridor study.
The scoping process undertaken as part of this proposed project
will include distribution of a scoping information packet, coordination
with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and review sessions
as needed. A formal scoping meeting is not planned. Further details of
the proposed project and a scoping informational packet may be obtained
from one of the contact people listed in this notice.
[[Page 43570]]
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Research, and Construction. The regulations implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)
Issued on: August 12, 1996.
Walter Waidelich,
Engineering Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration, Illinois
Division, Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 96-21367 Filed 8-22-96; 8:45 am]
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