[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43835-43836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6631]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environment Impact Statement: Jefferson and St. Clair Counties, 
AL

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 a proposed 
highway project in Jefferson and St. Clair Counties, Alabama.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine A. Batey, Acting Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Alabama Division Office, 
500 Eastern Blvd, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36117-2018, Telephone: 
(334) 223-7370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Alabama 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an EIS for Federal-aid 
Project STPAA-PE00(6). The proposed project would involve an extension 
of the Birmingham Northern Beltline from Interstate 59 in Trussville, 
Jefferson County, to Interstate 20 in the vicinity of Leeds, St. Clair 
County, Alabama, for a distance of about 10 miles.
    The Birmingham Northern Beltline is a planned limited access 
facility

[[Page 43836]]

intended to provide a circumferential expressway system around the 
Birmingham metropolitan area. The extension of the Beltline that is 
proposed under this project is considered necessary to provide a 
connecting link between Interstate 59 to Interstate 20.
    Alternatives under consideration include (1) Taking no action; and 
(2) constructing a new multi-lane, limited access highway on new 
location. Incorporated into and studied with the various build 
alternatives within the corridor study limits, will be proposed 
interchange locations and designs at the crossing of U.S. 411 (S.R. 20) 
and the route terminus at Interstate 20.
    Input for further defining the purpose and need for the proposed 
project and additional alternatives will be accomplished via the 
following. 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. Agencies will 
also be invited by letter to attend a formal Scoping Meeting. A series 
of public meetings will be held within the corridor study area. In 
addition, a public hearing will be held upon approval of the Draft EIS. 
The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and 
comment prior to the public hearing. Public notice will be given of the 
time and place of the meetings and 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 should be directed to the FHWA contact person 
identified in 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 July 27, 2006.
Bill Van Luchene,
Acting Division Administrator, Montgomery, AL.
[FR Doc. 06-6631 Filed 8-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M