[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55676-55677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27858]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Chester 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 Chester County, Pennsylvania.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deborah Suciu Smith, Environmental Specialist, Federal Highway 
Administration, Pennsylvania Division Office, Room 558, 228 Walnut 
Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1720, Telephone: (717) 221-3785 or Michael 
J. Girman III, P.E., Project Manager, Pennsylvania Department of 
Transportation, District 6-0, 200 Radnor-Chester Road, St. David's, PA 
19087, Telephone: (610) 964-6530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to identify and evaluate 
alternatives for transportation improvements to approximately 14.5 
kilometers (9 miles) of S.R. 41 from S.R. 926 to the Delaware state 
line. Improvements in the corridor are considered necessary to address 
deficient safety, traffic congestion and poor roadway infrastructure. 
Included in the overall 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 selective 
alternative for implementation. Through a Congestion Management System 
analysis, it has been determined that project needs cannot be met 
without adding significant single occupant vehicle capacity. A complete 
public involvement program is part of the project. Cooperating agencies 
for this proposed project are the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
    A study of the project needs was prepared in 1994 and presented to 
Federal and State regulatory and resource agencies. A Preliminary 
Alternatives Analysis Report is being prepared to identify and evaluate 
potential alternatives which would meet the project need. Alternatives 
under consideration will include: No Build; Widening Alternative (two 
to four

[[Page 55677]]

lanes); Short Alternative (bypass of Avondale Borough only); and Long 
Alternative (bypass of Avondale Borough and Chatham Village). These 
alternatives will be the basis for recommendation of alternatives to be 
carried forward for detailed environmental and engineering studies in 
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. 
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. 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 on: October 8, 1998.
Deborah Suciu Smith,
FHWA Environmental Specialist, Harrisburg, PA.
[FR Doc. 98-27858 Filed 10-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M