[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 63408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31291]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Henderson and Warren Counties, 
Illinois

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 the 
construction of U.S. Route 34 as a four-lane highway. The proposed 
project will extend from east of the Village of Gulfport in Henderson 
County, Illinois to the vicinity of Monmouth in Warren County, 
Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis Johnson, Environmental Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 
3250 Executive Park Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 
492-4600
Dale E. Risinger, District Engineer, Illinois Department of 
Transportation, 401 Main Street, Peoria, Illinois 61602-1111, Phone: 
(309) 671-3333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action is the construction of a 
four-lane divided highway in Henderson and Warren Counties, Illinois 
which will be approximately 47 km (29 miles) in length. The project 
will begin just east of Gulfport, Illinois extending east through a 
corridor in the vicinity of U.S. Route 34, ending east of Monmouth, 
Illinois. The proposed project may bypass communities within its 
limits.
    The proposed action will enhance traffic access, improve traffic 
circulation, provide safer and more efficient access to the urban area, 
provide a divided highway design for high operating speeds and 
continuity from the Illinois/Iowa border to I-74 in Galesburg, 
Illinois. Primary environmental resources which may be impacted are 
local property tax income, agricultural land and wetlands. Alternatives 
under consideration include: (1) Taking no action or (2) improvement of 
the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane facility between Gulfport 
and U.S. Route 67 including improvement of the existing northwest 
bypass around Monmouth. Several proposed alignment alternatives will be 
evaluated.
    The scoping process undertaken as part of this proposed project 
will include distribution of a scoping information packet, coordination 
with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and review 
sessions as needed. A formal scoping information packet may be obtained 
from one to the contact persons listed above.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, a 
comprehensive public involvement program will be undertaken. A public 
meeting concerning the proposed action will be held in the study area 
prior to the public hearing. Public notice will be given of the time 
and place of the meeting and hearing. The Draft EIS will be available 
for public agency review and comment 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 Illinois 
Department of Transportation contact persons.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernment consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued on: November 14, 1997.
Dennis Johnson,
Environmental Engineer, Springfield.
[FR Doc. 97-31291 Filed 11-26-97; 8:45 am]
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