Environmental Impact Statement: Council Bluffs, IA

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72716-72717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33612]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Council Bluffs, IA

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 will be prepared for a proposed viaduct 
and roadway project in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Taylor, Assistant 
Transportation Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Iowa Division 
Office, 105 6th Street, Ames, Iowa 50010, Telephone: (515) 233-7307. 
Harry S. Budd, Director, Office of Project Planning, Iowa Department of 
Transportation, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010, Telephone: (515) 
239-1391. Mr. Greg Reeder, City Engineer, Council Bluffs Public Works 
Department, 209 Pearl Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 Telephone: 
(712) 328-4635.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
and suitable communications software from the Government Printing 
Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet 
users may reach the Federal Register's home page at: http://
www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at: 
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Transportation 
(Iowa DOT) and the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed construction of a 
viaduct on Avenue G over the Union Pacific and Chicago, Central and 
Pacific railroad corridor that bisects Council Bluffs, Iowa. The 
proposed project begins at 16th and Avenue G and extends east to 8th 
Street. From 8th and

[[Page 72717]]

Avenue G the proposed project will consider improved roadway 
connections to Kanesville Boulevard. The total length of the project is 
approximately 1.6 km (1 mile).
    The existing rail corridor is crossed by an over capacity, 4-lane 
viaduct constructed in the early 1950's and several at-grade crossings. 
The proposed viaduct crossing is considered necessary to provide for 
existing and projected traffic demand and to improve public safety in 
this sector of the City of Council Bluffs.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) 
improvement of existing roadway corridors; and (3) a new connecting 
roadway corridor. The ``new'' roadway scenario will consider various 
alignments.
    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. Public involvement will be 
sought throughout the analysis of this proposal. In addition, a public 
hearing will be offered. A scoping meeting will be held for identifying 
significant issues to be addressed in the environmental impact 
statement. Public notice will be given of the time and place of all 
public meetings. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency 
review 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 and 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the FHWA, Iowa DOT, or the City of Council Bluffs at the 
addresses provided under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
highway Planning and Construction. The regulation implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation of 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48)

    Dated: December 14, 1999.
Bobby Blackmon,
Division Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-33612 Filed 12-27-99; 8:45 am]
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