[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 59838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29674]



[[Page 59838]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Jackson County, Missouri

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for proposed 
improvements to the transportation system in Jackson County, Missouri.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Donald Neumann, Programs Engineer, 
FHWA Division Office, 209 Adams St., Jefferson City, MO 65101, 
Telephone: (573) 636-7104 or Mr. Steve Noble, Manager, Long Range 
Transportation Planning, Mid-America Regional Council, 600 Broadway, 
Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 65105, Telephone: (816) 474-4240.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Mid-
America Regional Council (MARC), will prepare an EIS for proposed 
improvements to the transportation system in Jackson County, Missouri. 
Improvements to the corridor are considered necessary to provide for a 
safe and efficient transportation network.
    MARC initiated a Major Investment Study (MIS) in April 1997 to 
identify and evaluate potential transportation improvements in the 
Missouri River Corridor. The area studied during the MIS is generally 
located along the Missouri River in Clay and Jackson Counties. The 
boundaries of the study area were I-70 on the south, I-35 on the west, 
N. 48th Street on the north, and M-7 on the east. The east-west 
distance of the study area is approximately 17 miles. The north-south 
distance ranges from six miles on the eastern end to approximately 10 
miles on the western end. Major Routes studied included M-210, U.S. 24, 
M-78, M-12, Chouteau Trafficway, Front Street, and the proposed Little 
Blue and South Riverfront Expressways. As a result of the MIS, this EIS 
will address the impacts associated with improvements on Front Street 
between I-29/35 and I-435, improvements on the Chouteau Trafficway 
between I-35 and Front street (excluding the Chouteau Bridge which is 
currently under construction), and construction of the South Riverfront 
and Little Blue River Expressways.
    The goals of the proposed project established during the MIS 
include: 1) improve the safety of the Missouri River Corridor 
facilities; 2) improve mobility in the Missouri River Corridor; 3) 
facilitate the development of an efficient, integrated transportation 
system; 4) support economic development; 5) manage the transportation 
system to maximize the return on the Region's investment in highway and 
transit networks; 6) maintain or improve the quality of the natural 
environment, and 7) enhance quality of life. A location study will run 
concurrently with the preparation of the EIS. It will advance both 
``build'' and ``no build'' alternatives for evaluation by the EIS.
    The scoping process, which began during the MIS, will continue with 
appropriate federal, state, local agencies, private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in 
this proposal. Preliminary information has been issued to local 
officials and other interested parties. Additional public meetings will 
be held to further engage the regional community in the decisionmaking 
process and to obtain public comment. A public hearing will be held to 
present the findings of the DEIS. The DEIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues 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 MARC at the addresses provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12373 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program).

    Issued: October 27, 1998.
Donald L. Neumann,
Programs Engineer, Jefferson City.
[FR Doc. 98-29674 Filed 11-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M