[Federal Register: June 1, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 103)]
[Notices]
[Page 26271-26272]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jn09-81]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Polk County, IA
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT, Polk County.
SUMMARY: The FHWA and Iowa DOT are issuing this notice to advise the
public a tiered EIS will be prepared for a proposed roadway project in
Polk County, Iowa. This is a change from a standard EIS to a tiered
EIS. The Notice of Intent for the original EIS was published on July
21, 2005. The planned tiered EIS will evaluate potential transportation
improvement alternatives for serving northeast Des Moines and its
neighboring communities between I-80/US65 west of Altoona to US69/NE
126 Avenue north of Ankeny.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael La Pietra, Environment and
Realty Manager, FHWA Iowa Division Office, 105 Sixth Street, Ames, IA
50010, Phone 515-233-7302; or James P. Rost, Director, Office of
Location and Environment, Iowa Department of Transportation, 800
Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010, Phone 515-239-1798.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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gpoaccess@gpo.gov; or sending a fax to 202-512-1262.
Access to this notice is also available to Internet users through
the Federal Register's home page at http://www.nara.gov/fedreg.
Background
The FHWA, in coordination with the Iowa Department of
Transportation and Polk County will prepare a Tiered EIS for the
proposed Northeast Beltway study. The proposed project would include
roadway improvements to provide a high-speed connection from I-80 near
Altoona to U.S. 69 north of Ankeny.
The purpose of the Northeast Polk County Beltway is to prepare for
increased travel demand in and around Ankeny and its neighboring
communities. Traffic congestion on I-35 between Des Moines and Ankeny
would be alleviated, and traffic would be reduced on the Northeast
systems interchange (35/80/235).
Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2)
widening existing roadways; and (3) constructing a roadway in a new
location. The build alternative will include consideration of various
alignments and grades.
The Northeast Beltway will be reclassified from an EIS to a tiered
EIS. A tiered EIS is more appropriate for the Northeast Beltway project
due to funding constraints and construction scheduling. Decisions made
in the first tier document will include build or no build, project
corridor, and logical termini for project segmentation. A specific
alignment within the corridor would be identified in the Tier Two
documents.
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 series of public meetings
will be held in 2009 and 2010. In addition, a public hearing will be
[[Page 26272]]
held upon completion of the draft EIS. Public notice will be given of
the time and place of the public meetings and public hearing. The draft
EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to
the public hearing.
Another public information meeting will be held to identify
significant issues to be addressed in the tiered environmental impact
statement. The date and location of the meeting have not yet been
determined but will be advertised in various local media.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this 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 the FHWA or Iowa Department of Transportation at
the address provided in the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
(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.)
(Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48)
Dated: May 26, 2009.
Lubin M. Quinones,
Division Administrator, FHWA, Iowa Division.
[FR Doc. E9-12639 Filed 5-29-09; 8:45 am]
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