[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38606-38608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16094]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[Docket No. FHWA-2010-0059]
Temporary Closure of I-70 (I-70/I-465 West Leg Interchange to the
I-70/I-65 South Split Interchange) on October 7, 2010, in Indianapolis,
IN
AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice and Request for Comment.
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SUMMARY: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has requested
FHWA approval of INDOT's proposed plan to temporarily close a segment
of I-70 (from the I-70/I-465 west leg interchange to the I-70/I-65
south split interchange) on October 7, 2010, for a 12-hour period from
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The closure is requested to accommodate a concentrated
I-70 beautification project sponsored by INDOT. The request is based on
the provisions 23 CFR 658.11 which authorizes the deletion of segments
of the federally designated routes that make up the National Network
designated in Appendix A of 23 CFR Part 658 upon approval by the FHWA.
The FHWA seeks comments from the general public on this request
submitted by INDOT for a deletion in accordance with section 658.11(d)
for the considerations discussed in this notice.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before 30 days after date of
publication in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: The letter of request along with justifications can be
viewed electronically at the docket established for this notice at
http://www.regulations.gov. Hard copies of the documents will also be
available for viewing at the DOT address listed below.
Mail or hand deliver comments to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or fax comments to (202) 493-
2251. Alternatively, comments may be submitted via the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov (follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments). All comments should include the
docket number that appears in the
[[Page 38607]]
heading of this document. All comments received will be available for
examination and copying at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring
notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed,
stamped postcard or you may print the acknowledgment page that appears
after submitting comments electronically. All comments received into
any docket may be searched in electronic format by the name of the
individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted
on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Persons
making comments may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70,
Pages 19477-78), or you may view the statement at http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael P. Onder, Team Leader
Truck Size and Weight and Freight Operations and Technology Team, (202)
366-2639, Raymond W. Cuprill, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-
0791, Federal Highway Administration; 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, and Mr. Robert Tally, FHWA Division
Administrator-Indiana, (317) 226-7476. Office hours for FHWA are from
7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access and Filing
You may submit or retrieve comments online through the Federal
eRulemaking portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. The Web site is
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Electronic submission
and retrieval help and guidelines are available under the help section
of the Web site.
An electronic copy of this document may also be downloaded from
Office of the Federal Register's home page at: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register and the Government Printing Office's Web page at:
http://www.gpoaccess.gov.
Background
The INDOT has submitted a request to FHWA for approval of the
temporary closure of a segment of I-70 in Indiana (from the I-70/I-465
west leg interchange to the I-70/I-65 south split interchange) on
October 7, 2010, for a 12-hour period from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The
incoming request and supporting documents can be viewed electronically
at the docket established for this notice at http://www.regulations.gov.) This closure will be undertaken in support of the
I-70 beautification project that will take place with the participation
of approximately 9,100 Lilly ``Day of Service'' volunteers. These
volunteers will be working within five different I-70 interchanges
along both sides of I-70. Approximately 5,600 volunteers will be
assigned to work on the north side of I-70 and approximately 3,500
workers will be assigned to the south side. Both groups have 1 hour
appropriated for arrival and parking as well as 1 hour for departure
from the construction corridor. A comprehensive plan for the arrival
and departure times, parking, and emergency evacuation (should it be
necessary) has been developed. The INDOT has indicated that by closing
the Interstate through the work zone, lengthy delays caused by the
restriction of lanes will be eliminated as well as distractions to the
motoring public caused by the 9,100 workers and associated activities.
In addition, the temporary closure would eliminate the risk of work
zone accidents in the area of these work zones. The INDOT believes that
the best way to ensure the safety of the workers will be to eliminate
vehicular travel through the corridor while the work in the interchange
areas is being conducted. The closure also provides additional safety
to the motorists by eliminating the distraction that could be caused by
the significant amount of workers within the interchanges and by
eliminating the need for traffic restrictions in the actual work zone.
A 12-hour condensed closure provides a safer condition for workers and
provides better conditions than a long-term construction work zone with
the associated work zone set ups and restrictions that would otherwise
take place over many days.
The FHWA is responsible for enforcing the Federal regulations
applicable to the National Network of highways that can safely and
efficiently accommodate the large vehicles authorized by provisions of
the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA), as amended,
designated in accordance with 23 CFR Part 658 and listed in Appendix A.
In accordance with sec. 658.11, the FHWA may approve deletions or
restrictions of the Interstate system or other National Network route
based upon specified justification criteria in sec. 658.11(d)(2).
Requests for deletions are published in the Federal Register for notice
and comment.
The FHWA seeks comments on this request for temporary deletion from
the National Network in accordance with 23 CFR 658.11(d). Specifically,
the request is for deletion of I-70 (from the I-70/I-465 west leg
interchange to the I-70/I-65 south split interchange) from the National
Network on October 7, beginning at 6 a.m., for one consecutive 12-hour
period. The temporary closure of I-70 to general traffic should have a
negligible impact to interstate commerce. Using a comparison of lane
mile computations, traffic will be detoured to I-465 around the south
side of Indianapolis adding only 2 to 3 minutes additional time to
Interstate travel. Re-routed I-70 through traffic via I-465 is
approximately 18 miles around the south side of I-465 (to get to the
interchange of I-70 and I-465 on the east side). If I-70 were to remain
open with restrictions, the mileage to I-70 and I-465 on the east side
would be approximately 16 miles. However, vehicles would be traveling
at a reduced speed limit, resulting in large queue lengths creating
back-ups which would add significant time to their commute. The detour
will have a negligible impact on interstate commerce as the I-465
diversion route would add little distance or time to an interstate or
long distance trip. Businesses requiring deliveries adjacent to the
closed area will be encouraged to receive deliveries before or after
the October 7 closure times in order to minimize these local impacts.
Commercial motor vehicles will use I-465 around the south side of
Indianapolis. During the time of closure there will be some INDOT
construction along the detour route and along Interstate I-465 on the
west side of Indianapolis. The detour route will have no lane
restrictions for motorists during this time and INDOT will not plan for
any lane closures in other nearby construction zones. The INDOT will
increase the Hoosier Helper workforce (freeway service patrols) along
I-465 to address incident response and minimize any incident impacts.
The INDOT will issue a press release to inform the community of the
closure and will post the closure in Road Restriction System (RRS) and
INDOT's traveler information Web site Traffic Wise (http://www.trafficwise.in.gov) to help with notification to the motorists.
The temporary closure plan has been prepared in accordance with
INDOT's transportation plan and has been reviewed and approved by the
city of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police
Department. The INDOT has reached out to Federal, State, and local
agencies to ensure a collaborative and coordinated effort to address
the logistical challenges of the I-70 beautification project. The
Illinois Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of
Transportation have been informed of this proposal.
[[Page 38608]]
Additionally, efforts have been made to work with the various transit
systems as well as the American Trucking Association. The INDOT has met
with, and gained support from the Indiana Motor Trucking Association,
and has the endorsement of the city of Indianapolis, specifically The
Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and the local business
districts adjacent to the closure. (Full list of endorsements can be
viewed electronically at the docket established for this notice at
http://www.regulations.gov).
The INDOT has carefully evaluated all possible alternatives and
after doing so believes the temporary closure of I-70 is the best way
to ensure the safety not only to the volunteer workers, but also to the
motorists. The INDOT is actively working with KIB and Lilly to develop
an aggressive communications plan utilizing local business associations
along the I-70 corridor, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., and media
outlets. Special consideration will be given to local and national
trucking publications. Event day media staging areas and command posts
are also included in the plan.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 127, 315 and 49 U.S.C. 31111, 31112, and
31114; 23 CFR Part 658.
Issued on: June 22, 2010.
Victor M. Mendez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-16094 Filed 7-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P