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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 66173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32860]

[[Page 66173]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement: Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise 
Counties, Virginia

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that a draft environmental impact statement 
will be prepared for a proposed transportation corridor between Route 
23 in Pound, Virginia and the West Virginia State Line, including the 
Virginia Counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bruce Turner, Planning and Environment Program Manager, Federal Highway 
Administration, The Dale Building, Suite 205, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, 
Richmond, Virginia 23229, Telephone 804-281-5111.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Virginia 
Department of Transportation (VDOT), will prepare an Environment Impact 
Statement (EIS) on a proposed highway from Route 23 in Pound, Virginia 
to the West Virginia State Line. The National Highway System 
Designation Act of 1995 extended the Coalfields Expressway from West 
Virginia into Virginia and defined the roadway as going to Pound, 
Virginia generally following State route 83 through Buchanan, Dickenson 
and Wise Counties. The proposed project involves a location study for 
the Coalfields Expressway in Virginia. The corridor will be developed 
as a two lane facility on an ultimate four lane design. Improvements 
could involve existing Route 83, a new highway on new location, or a 
combination of both. Access control will also be developed as part of 
this study.
    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) taking no action (no 
build); (2) transportation system management (improvement to the 
existing roadway network); (3) mass transit; and (4) various build 
alternatives on both new location and combinations of existing and new 
location. The build alternatives will incorporate variations of 
vertical and horizontal grade alignments.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, private 
organizations, and citizens who have previously expressed or are known 
to have an interest in this proposal. The scoping process is 
anticipated to begin in Fall of 1997. A series of public informational 
meetings and a public hearing will be held in the near future. Public 
notice will be given indicating the time and place of the meetings and 
hearing. The Draft EIS 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 are identified, 
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments or questions concerning the proposed action and the Draft EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA 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 proposed action.)

    Issued on: December 5, 1997.
Bruce Turner,
Planning and Environment Program Manager, Richmond, Virginia.
[FR Doc. 97-32860 Filed 12-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
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