81 FR 70247 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Highway Project in Los Angeles County, California
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 196 (October 11, 2016)
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 196 (October 11, 2016)
| Page Range | 70247-70248 | |
| FR Document | 2016-24480 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 70247-70248] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-24480] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Highway Project in Los Angeles County, California AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for proposed highway improvements on Interstate 605 (I-605) and State Route 60 (SR-60). The limits of the Interstate 605 (I-605) and State Route 60 (SR-60) Improvement Project (Project) will traverse the cities of Baldwin Park, El Monte, City of Industry, Pico Rivera, South El Monte, Whittier, and unincorporated Los Angeles County. Improvements on I-605 are proposed from south of Slauson Avenue to the I-605/Interstate 10 (I-10) Interchange, and improvements on SR-60 are proposed from Santa Anita Avenue to east of Turnbull Canyon Road. A Project Study Report- Project Development Study (PSR-PDS) for the Project was approved in December 2015 (not attached). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Kosinski, Deputy District Director, Division of Environmental Planning, District 7, 100 South Main Street, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 897-0703. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective July 1, 2007, the FHWA assigned, and Caltrans assumed, environmental responsibilities for this Project pursuant to 23 United States Code (U.S.C.) 327. Caltrans will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Project. The purpose of the Project is to reduce congestion, improve freeway operations, improve and enhance safety, and improve local and system interchange operations. The Project proposes widening along southbound and northbound I-605 and the addition of one mixed flow lane (a standard freeway lane where vehicles with any number of occupants can drive anytime) along westbound SR-60 within the Project limits. The Project will also include the addition of auxiliary lanes, where necessary (lanes used to separate entering, exiting, or weaving traffic from through traffic). Improvements to local streets and interchanges would be required as part of the Project. Interchanges that would be affected include the I-605/Slauson Avenue Interchange, I- 605/Washington Boulevard Interchange, I-605/Whittier Boulevard Interchange, I-605/Beverly Boulevard Interchange, I-605/Rose Hills Road Interchange, I-605/Peck Road Interchange, I-605/SR 60 Interchange, I- 605/Valley Boulevard Interchange, and SR 60/Peck Road Interchange. The following five Project alternatives are under consideration. Alternative 1: No Build Alternative In this alternative, there would be no reconstruction or improvements to I-605 or SR-60. I-605 within the Project limits would continue to have four mixed flow lanes that are 11-feet wide, with 2- foot-wide median shoulders, plus one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane and a 1-foot-wide HOV buffer. Alternative 2: Standard Alternative (Lane/Shoulder Widths) Alternative 2 would meet Caltrans' Highway Design Manual standards for travel lanes and shoulders. This alternative includes adding one mixed flow lane on southbound and northbound I-605 and widening all lanes to 12 feet, for a total of five, 12-foot-wide mixed flow lanes. The 2-foot-wide median shoulders would be widened to 10 feet, and the 1-foot-wide HOV buffer would be widened to four feet. One 12-foot-wide mixed flow lane would also be added on westbound SR-60. Right-of-Way (ROW) acquisitions would be required to accommodate the proposed improvements and to meet Caltrans' Highway Design Manual standards. Alternative 3: Reduced Standard Alternative (Lane/Shoulder Widths) Alternative 3 includes many of the design elements identified in Alternative 2; however, this alternative includes features that do not meet Caltrans' Highway Design Manual standards to reduce ROW acquisitions. On I-605, only two of the five mixed flow lanes would be 12-feet wide, as the remaining three lanes would be 11-feet wide. The 2-foot-wide median shoulders would be widened to 10 feet, and the 1- foot-wide HOV buffer would be widened to two feet. Alternative 4: Hybrid Alternative Alternative 4 includes many of the same design elements identified in Alternative 2; however, this alternative includes features that do not meet Caltrans' Highway Design Manual standards to reduce ROW acquisitions. Like Alternative 2, this alternative includes five mixed flow lanes on I-605, but only one mixed flow lane would be 12-feet wide, which is added to the outside travel lane. The remaining portion of the highway, consisting of the four 11-foot-wide mixed flow lanes, the 2-foot-wide median shoulders, and 1-foot-wide HOV buffer, would not be improved as part of this alternative. Alternative 5: Transportation Systems Management/Transportation Demand Management (TSM/TDM) The TSM/TDM Alternative would add transportation system and demand management techniques to existing features within the Project limits. Improvements that may be included as part of this alternative are additional ramp metering, improved signal timing, increased transit service, improved signage, development of rideshare/carpool programs, and installation of intelligent transportation systems. Build Alternatives 2 through 4 may include may include additional design variations, which provide optional lane use (general purpose, HOV), optional on and off ramp modifications, and other operational improvements. Build [[Page 70248]] alternatives proposed may be refined or be removed from further consideration, as engineering and environmental analysis is conducted for the Project. Analysis supporting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will determine the improvements necessary to meet the existing and future transportation needs in the corridor. The following permits/approvals may be required to construct the Project:33 U.S.C. 408 Section 408 Permit (United States (U.S.) Army Corps of Engineers) Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Permit (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) Section 1602 Agreement (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Caltrans Statewide Permit and Construction General Permit CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification and/or Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) (Regional Water Quality Control Board) South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rules 403, 1403, and 1166 Clean Air Act, Transportation Conformity Determination (FHWA; Caltrans) Section 106 Compliance with National Historic Preservation Act Section 7 Consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the event that Federally-listed species are affected Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Memorandum of Agreement Various City Encroachment Permits Caltrans will be holding public scoping meetings to provide an overview of the Project, summarize the environmental process, and receive input regarding the environmental issues and the suggested scope and content of the EIS. These meetings will include separate agency and public scoping. One round of three meetings will be held on November 1st through November 3rd. Please refer to the table below for meeting details: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- City Date Time Location ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- City of Industry................. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m............ Public Scoping Meeting, 2016. Industry Hills Expo Center, 16200 Temple Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744. South El Monte................... Wednesday, Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m............ Public Scoping Meeting, 2016. South El Monte Senior Center, 1556 Central Ave., South El Monte, CA 91733. Whittier......................... Thursday, Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m............ Public Scoping Meeting, 2016. Palm Park, Palm A-B Room, 5703 Palm Ave., Whittier, CA 90601. Whittier......................... Thursday, Nov. 3, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m............ Agency Scoping Meeting, 2016. Palm Park, Palm A-B Room, 5703 Palm Ave., Whittier, CA 90601. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and Participating Agencies; tribal governments and local agencies and private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. The Draft EIS is anticipated to be available for public and agency review and comment in mid-2019. Public meetings will be held in study area communities during the public and agency review and comment period. In addition, public hearings will be held for the Project. Public notice will be given for the time and place of the public meetings and hearings. The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearings. To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed action is addressed and all significant concerns are identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions about this proposed action and the EIS should be directed to Caltrans at the address 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 3, 2016. Josue M. Yambo, Senior Transportation Engineer, Project Delivery Division, Federal Highway Administration, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 2016-24480 Filed 10-7-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2016 / Notices 70247
State Justice Institute Board of Avenue to the I–605/Interstate 10 (I–10) flow lane on southbound and
Directors Interchange, and improvements on SR– northbound I–605 and widening all
Chase T. Rogers (Chair), Chief Justice, 60 are proposed from Santa Anita lanes to 12 feet, for a total of five, 12-
Supreme Court of Connecticut, Avenue to east of Turnbull Canyon foot-wide mixed flow lanes. The 2-foot-
Hartford, CT Road. A Project Study Report-Project wide median shoulders would be
Daniel J. Becker (Vice Chair), State Development Study (PSR–PDS) for the widened to 10 feet, and the 1-foot-wide
Court Administrator, Utah Project was approved in December 2015 HOV buffer would be widened to four
Administrative Office of the Courts, (not attached). feet. One 12-foot-wide mixed flow lane
Salt Lake City, UT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: would also be added on westbound SR–
Gayle A. Nachtigal (Secretary), Senior Ronald Kosinski, Deputy District 60. Right-of-Way (ROW) acquisitions
Circuit Court Judge, Washington Director, Division of Environmental would be required to accommodate the
Planning, District 7, 100 South Main proposed improvements and to meet
County Circuit Court, Hillsboro, OR
Hernan D. Vera (Treasurer), Principal, Street, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA Caltrans’ Highway Design Manual
Bird Marella P.C., Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 897–0703. standards.
Jonathan Lippman, Chief Judge of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective Alternative 3: Reduced Standard
State of New York (ret.); Of Counsel, July 1, 2007, the FHWA assigned, and Alternative (Lane/Shoulder Widths)
Latham & Watkins, LLP, New York, Caltrans assumed, environmental Alternative 3 includes many of the
NY responsibilities for this Project pursuant design elements identified in
David V. Brewer, Justice, Supreme Court to 23 United States Code (U.S.C.) 327. Alternative 2; however, this alternative
of Oregon, Salem, OR Caltrans will prepare an includes features that do not meet
Wilfredo Martinez, County Judge, 9th Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Caltrans’ Highway Design Manual
Judicial Circuit of Florida, Orlando, for the proposed Project. The purpose of standards to reduce ROW acquisitions.
FL the Project is to reduce congestion, On I–605, only two of the five mixed
Marsha J. Rabiteau, Executive Director, improve freeway operations, improve flow lanes would be 12-feet wide, as the
Legal Policy Strategies Group, and enhance safety, and improve local remaining three lanes would be 11-feet
Bloomfield, CT and system interchange operations. The wide. The 2-foot-wide median shoulders
John B. Nalbandian, Partner, Taft Project proposes widening along would be widened to 10 feet, and the 1-
Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Cincinnati, southbound and northbound I–605 and foot-wide HOV buffer would be
OH the addition of one mixed flow lane (a widened to two feet.
Isabel Framer, President, Language standard freeway lane where vehicles
Access Consultants LLC, Copley, OH with any number of occupants can drive Alternative 4: Hybrid Alternative
Jonathan D. Mattiello, Executive anytime) along westbound SR–60 Alternative 4 includes many of the
Director (ex officio) within the Project limits. The Project same design elements identified in
Jonathan D. Mattiello, will also include the addition of Alternative 2; however, this alternative
Executive Director.
auxiliary lanes, where necessary (lanes includes features that do not meet
used to separate entering, exiting, or Caltrans’ Highway Design Manual
[FR Doc. 2016–24382 Filed 10–7–16; 8:45 am]
weaving traffic from through traffic). standards to reduce ROW acquisitions.
BILLING CODE P
Improvements to local streets and Like Alternative 2, this alternative
interchanges would be required as part includes five mixed flow lanes on I–605,
of the Project. Interchanges that would but only one mixed flow lane would be
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION be affected include the I–605/Slauson 12-feet wide, which is added to the
Avenue Interchange, I–605/Washington outside travel lane. The remaining
Federal Highway Administration
Boulevard Interchange, I–605/Whittier portion of the highway, consisting of the
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Boulevard Interchange, I–605/Beverly four 11-foot-wide mixed flow lanes, the
Environmental Impact Statement for a Boulevard Interchange, I–605/Rose Hills 2-foot-wide median shoulders, and 1-
Proposed Highway Project in Los Road Interchange, I–605/Peck Road foot-wide HOV buffer, would not be
Angeles County, California Interchange, I–605/SR 60 Interchange, I– improved as part of this alternative.
605/Valley Boulevard Interchange, and
AGENCY: Federal Highway SR 60/Peck Road Interchange. Alternative 5: Transportation Systems
Administration (FHWA), DOT. The following five Project alternatives Management/Transportation Demand
are under consideration. Management (TSM/TDM)
ACTION: Notice of intent.
The TSM/TDM Alternative would add
SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the Alternative 1: No Build Alternative transportation system and demand
California Department of Transportation In this alternative, there would be no management techniques to existing
(Caltrans), is issuing this notice to reconstruction or improvements to I– features within the Project limits.
advise the public that a Draft 605 or SR–60. I–605 within the Project Improvements that may be included as
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) limits would continue to have four part of this alternative are additional
will be prepared for proposed highway mixed flow lanes that are 11-feet wide, ramp metering, improved signal timing,
improvements on Interstate 605 (I–605) with 2-foot-wide median shoulders, increased transit service, improved
and State Route 60 (SR–60). The limits signage, development of rideshare/
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
plus one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV)
of the Interstate 605 (I–605) and State lane and a 1-foot-wide HOV buffer. carpool programs, and installation of
Route 60 (SR–60) Improvement Project intelligent transportation systems.
(Project) will traverse the cities of Alternative 2: Standard Alternative Build Alternatives 2 through 4 may
Baldwin Park, El Monte, City of (Lane/Shoulder Widths) include may include additional design
Industry, Pico Rivera, South El Monte, Alternative 2 would meet Caltrans’ variations, which provide optional lane
Whittier, and unincorporated Los Highway Design Manual standards for use (general purpose, HOV), optional on
Angeles County. Improvements on I– travel lanes and shoulders. This and off ramp modifications, and other
605 are proposed from south of Slauson alternative includes adding one mixed operational improvements. Build
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![70248 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2016 / Notices
alternatives proposed may be refined or • Section 1602 Agreement (California • Section 7 Consultation with U.S. Fish
be removed from further consideration, Department of Fish and Wildlife) and Wildlife Service in the event that
as engineering and environmental • National Pollutant Discharge Federally-listed species are affected
analysis is conducted for the Project. Elimination System (NPDES) Permit • Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR)
Analysis supporting the • Caltrans Statewide Permit and Memorandum of Agreement
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Construction General Permit • Various City Encroachment Permits
will determine the improvements • CWA Section 401 Water Quality Caltrans will be holding public
necessary to meet the existing and Certification and/or Waste Discharge scoping meetings to provide an
future transportation needs in the Requirement (WDR) (Regional Water overview of the Project, summarize the
corridor. Quality Control Board) environmental process, and receive
The following permits/approvals may • South Coast Air Quality Management input regarding the environmental
be required to construct the Project: District (SCAQMD) Rules 403, 1403, issues and the suggested scope and
• 33 U.S.C. 408 Section 408 Permit and 1166 content of the EIS. These meetings will
(United States (U.S.) Army Corps of • Clean Air Act, Transportation include separate agency and public
Engineers) Conformity Determination (FHWA; scoping. One round of three meetings
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Caltrans) will be held on November 1st through
Permit (U.S. Army Corps of • Section 106 Compliance with November 3rd. Please refer to the table
Engineers) National Historic Preservation Act below for meeting details:
City Date Time Location
City of Industry ...................... Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 ........ 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m ... Public Scoping Meeting, Industry Hills Expo Center,
16200 Temple Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744.
South El Monte ..................... Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 ... 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m ... Public Scoping Meeting, South El Monte Senior Center,
1556 Central Ave., South El Monte, CA 91733.
Whittier .................................. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 ....... 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m ... Public Scoping Meeting, Palm Park, Palm A–B Room,
5703 Palm Ave., Whittier, CA 90601.
Whittier .................................. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 ....... 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m ... Agency Scoping Meeting, Palm Park, Palm A–B Room,
5703 Palm Ave., Whittier, CA 90601.
Letters describing the proposed action Issued on: October 3, 2016. DATES: Comments must be received on
and soliciting comments will be sent to Josue M. Yambo, or before November 10, 2016. All
appropriate Federal, State, and Senior Transportation Engineer, Project comments will be investigated by
Participating Agencies; tribal Delivery Division, Federal Highway FMCSA. The exemptions will be issued
governments and local agencies and Administration, Sacramento, California. the day after the comment period closes.
private organizations and citizens who [FR Doc. 2016–24480 Filed 10–7–16; 8:45 am] ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
have previously expressed or are known BILLING CODE 4910–22–P bearing the Federal Docket Management
to have interest in this proposal. The System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA–
Draft EIS is anticipated to be available 2016–0207 using any of the following
for public and agency review and DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION methods:
comment in mid-2019. Public meetings • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
will be held in study area communities Federal Motor Carrier Safety http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
during the public and agency review Administration on-line instructions for submitting
and comment period. In addition, comments.
[Docket No. FMCSA–2016–0207]
public hearings will be held for the • Mail: Docket Management Facility;
Project. Public notice will be given for Qualification of Drivers; Exemption U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
the time and place of the public Applications; Vision New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
meetings and hearings. The Draft EIS Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
will be available for public and agency AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Washington, DC 20590–0001.
review and comment prior to the public Administration (FMCSA), DOT. • Hand Delivery: West Building
hearings. ACTION: Notice of applications for Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
To ensure that the full range of issues exemptions; request for comments. New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
related to this proposed action is DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
addressed and all significant concerns SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of through Friday, except Federal
are identified, comments and applications from 18 individuals for Holidays.
suggestions are invited from all exemption from the vision requirement • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
interested parties. Comments or in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Instructions: Each submission must
questions about this proposed action Regulations. They are unable to meet include the Agency name and the
and the EIS should be directed to the vision requirement in one eye for docket numbers for this notice. Note
Caltrans at the address provided above. various reasons. The exemptions will that all comments received will be
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance enable these individuals to operate posted without change to http://
Program Number 20.205, Highway commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in www.regulations.gov, including any
Planning and Construction. The interstate commerce without meeting personal information provided. Please
regulations implementing Executive the prescribed vision requirement in see the Privacy Act heading below for
Order 12372 regarding one eye. If granted, the exemptions further information.
intergovernmental consultation on would enable these individuals to Docket: For access to the docket to
Federal programs and activities apply to qualify as drivers of commercial motor read background documents or
this program.) vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. comments, go to http://
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Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:33:54
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:33:54
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of intent. | |
| Contact | Ronald Kosinski, Deputy District Director, Division of Environmental Planning, District 7, 100 South Main Street, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 897-0703. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 70247 |
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