[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 59384] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-29015] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Statement: Indiana County, PA AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Indiana County, Pennsylvania. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David W. Cough, P.E. District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Division Office, 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101- 1720, Telephone: (717) 221-3411 -OR- Raymond Schilling, P.E., Project Manager, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 10-0, Route 286 South, Box 429, Indiana, PA 15701, Telephone: (412) 357-2800. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to identify and evaluate alternatives for transportation improvements to a 13.4 kilometer (8.3 mile) section of US 119 from US 22 at Blairsville, Pennsylvania to the US 119 intersection with State Route 56 in Homer City, Pennsylvania. Included in the proposed project will be the identification of a range of alternatives that meet the identified project need, and supporting environmental documentation and analysis to recommend a selected alternative for implementation. A complete public involvement program is part of the proposed project. Cooperating agencies for this proposed project are the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection. Documentation of the need for the proposed project was completed in 1991. The need for roadway improvements for the proposed project was based on transportation and public/social service demands, economic development, and consistency with regional and local land use planning. A Preliminary Alternative Analysis Report was prepared in 1991 to identify and evaluate potential alternatives which would meet the project need. As a result of the preliminary alternatives analysis and public input, additional alternatives are being studied. Alternatives under consideration include: No Build; Transportation System Management (TSM); Widen left on existing alignment; Widen right on existing alignment; Widening alternative that combines widening left and right; three eastern off-line alignments; and two western off-line alignments. These alternatives will be the basis for recommendation of alternatives to be carried forward for detailed environmental and engineering studies in the EIS. Incorporated into and studied with the various build alternatives will be design variations of grade and alignment. Letters describing the proposed actions 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. Public meetings will be held in the area throughout the study process. Public involvement and agency coordination will be maintained throughout the development of the EIS. To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed action are addressed and all significant issues are identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be directed to FHWA or PennDOT at the addresses provided above. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this program) Issued: October 23, 1997. J. Stephen Guhin, FHWA Assistant Division Administrator, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. [FR Doc. 97-29015 Filed 10-31-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-M