[Federal Register: August 14, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 158)]
[Notices]
[Page 47640-47641]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14au08-61]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Assessment: Jefferson County, IN and Trimble
County, KY
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI).
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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this
notice to advise the public that FHWA will prepare an Environmental
Assessment (EA) to determine the need and feasibility of improvements
to the Ohio River Crossing along U.S. 421 in Jefferson County, Indiana
and Trimble County, Kentucky. This project will adhere to the
requirements of section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU. The existing bridge
connects the historic communities of Milton, Kentucky and Madison,
Indiana. The objectives of this study are to assess the feasibility of
rehabilitating or replacing the bridge, as well as other alternatives,
for improving safety and mobility in the general project vicinity.
Comments on the scope of the EA for the proposed project should be
forwarded no later than September 12, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Address all comments concerning this
notice to Greg Rawlings of the FHWA Kentucky Division at 502.223.6728
or via e-mail at Gregory.Rawlings@FHWA.dot.gov. For additional
information, contact Robert Martin, P.E., Project Manager for the
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, at 502.564.3730 or via e-mail at
RobertD.Martin@KY.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Kentucky
Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Indiana Department of Transportation
(INDOT), will prepare an EA to determine the need and feasibility of
rehabilitating or replacing the Milton Madison Bridge and its
approaches over the Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky. The
current structure was originally constructed in 1929 then later
rehabilitated in the late 1990s. The existing bridge is 3,181 feet in
length and has two 10-foot travel lanes. The study area includes the
existing U.S. 421 corridor and the general vicinity of the communities
of Milton, Kentucky and Madison, Indiana. The nearest alternate
crossings are the I-65 Kennedy Bridge in Louisville (46 miles
downstream) and the bridge at Markland Locks and Dam (26 miles
upstream). The condition of the Milton Madison Bridge is prompting this
project, coupled with other issues including traffic demand and
accessibility.
The objectives of this study are to assess the feasibility of
rehabilitating or replacing the bridge, as well as other alternatives,
for improving safety and mobility in the general project vicinity. This
study will conform to Kentucky's environmental guidance, Indiana's
procedural manual for preparing environmental documents, and the new
SAFETEA-LU section 6002 requirements.
Environmental Issues: Possible environmental impacts include
effects to historical properties, historic districts, or archaeological
sites, specifically as related to Madison's status as a National
Historic Landmark; displacement of commercial and/or residential
properties; increased noise; viewshed impacts; impacts to water
resources, flood plains, prime farmland, sensitive biological species
and their habitat; land use compatibility impacts; community impacts;
and impacts to agricultural lands.
Alternatives: The EA will consider alternatives that include the
No-Build (Do Nothing) Alternative as well as a full range of build
alternatives including rehabilitating the existing structure, applying
transportation system management principles, and constructing a new
bridge on the existing or new alignment.
Scoping and Comment: FHWA encourages broad participation in the EA
process and review of the resulting environmental documents. Comments,
questions, and suggestions related to the project and potential
socioeconomic and environmental concerns are invited from all
interested agencies and the public at large to ensure that the full
range of issues related to the proposed action and all reasonable
alternatives are considered and all significant issues are identified.
These comments, questions, and suggestions should be forwarded to
either phone number or e-mail address listed above.
Early Coordination Letters will be sent to the appropriate Federal,
State and local agencies by September 2008 describing the project,
following a project kick-off coordinated through a media news release.
An invitation letter will be sent to potential Cooperating Agencies,
Participating Agencies, and Section 106 Consulting Parties inviting the
agencies to officially take part in the study, encouraging agency
comments and suggestions concerning the proposed project, and further
defining the roles of agencies. Existing and future conditions will be
identified as work progresses and presented to stakeholders, agencies,
and the public. The draft purpose and need for the project will be
developed and preliminary alternatives identified. The agencies,
stakeholders, and public will have an opportunity to review and comment
on this information. The purpose and need and preliminary alternatives
will be available for public review and a Resource Agency Meeting,
Project Advisory Group Meeting, and Public Information Meeting will be
held. Public notice will be given as to the time and place of the
meetings. Agencies and the public will also have an opportunity to
comment at various study stages, including: (1) Definition of purpose
and need; (2) establishment of screening criteria; (3) screening of
initial alternatives; (4) selection of final alternatives; and (5) the
review of environmental documentation. Project Advisory Group meetings
will be conducted regularly as the project moves forward to secure
input from key stakeholders as decisions are made.
Notices of availability for the purpose and need and identification
of
[[Page 47641]]
preliminary alternatives, evaluation and screening of preliminary
alternatives, and identification of final alternatives will be provided
through direct mail, e-mail, the project Web site available at http://
www.miltonmadisonbridge.com, and other media. Notification also will be
sent to Federal, State, local agencies, persons and organizations that
submit comments or questions. Precise schedules and locations for
public meetings will be announced in the local news media and the
project Web site. Interested individuals and organizations may request
to be included on the mailing list for distribution of meeting
announcements and associated information.
Other Approvals for Federal Permits: The following approvals for
Federal permits are anticipated to be required: The Navigational Permit
Application from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Section 404 Permit from
the Army Corps of Engineers. Additionally, Section 401 Permits may be
required from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and the
Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.205, Highway
Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive
Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal
programs and activities apply to the program.)
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123; 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: July 30, 2008.
Dennis Luhrs,
Assistant Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration,
Frankfort, Kentucky.
[FR Doc. E8-18832 Filed 8-13-08; 8:45 am]
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