[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61369-61370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26563]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; City of Missoula, Montana

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA hereby gives notice that it intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for an urban corridor (involving 
Russell Street and South 3rd Street) all within the limits of the City 
of Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. The study will evaluate possible 
improvements to these existing roadways and all practical alignment 
alternatives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dale Paulson, Program Development 
Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, 
Montana 59602; Telephone: (406) 449-5303 ext. 239; Mr. Joel M. Marshik, 
Manager, Environmental Services, Montana Department of Transportation, 
2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Montana 59602; Telephone: (406) 444-7632; 
or Mr. Joe Oliphant, Project Development Coordinator, City of Missoula, 
435 Ryman Street, Missoula, Montana 59802-4207, Telephone: (406) 523-
2877.

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 Office of 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.

Background

    The FHWA, in cooperation with the Montana Department of 
Transportation (MDT) and the City of Missoula, will

[[Page 61370]]

prepare an EIS in response to the need for upgrading sections of two 
urban arterials (Russell Street and South 3rd Street) all within the 
limits of the City of Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. The Russell 
Street section begins at the intersection of Mount Avenue, and extends 
approximately 2.44 km (1.52 mi) northerly to the intersection of West 
Broadway Street. The South 3rd Street section begins at its 
intersection with Reserve Street and continues easterly for a distance 
of approximately 1.60 km (1.0 mi) until it intersects with Russell 
Street.
    The project is needed to meet current and future demand of 
motorized vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and to improve safety. 
Alternatives are expected to include taking no action; widening of 
Russell Street; and widening of South 3rd Street. Other alternatives 
may become evident as a result of public and agency input during the 
scoping process. All build alternatives will include improvements to 
non-motorized facilities and will consider a range of transportation 
system management (TSM) and transportation demand management (TDM) 
measures. Possible configurations of the Russell Street bridge across 
the Clark Fork River, will also be considered in the study.
    The EIS will examine the short and long-term impacts on the natural 
and built environment. The impact assessment will include (but not be 
limited to): Impacts on the social environment; changes in land use; 
aesthetics; changes in traffic; economic consequences; air, noise and 
water quality, wildlife, and fisheries. In addition, environmental 
justice aspects will be addressed as part of the impact assessment. The 
EIS will also examine measures to mitigate significant adverse impacts 
resulting from the proposed action.
    Comments are being solicited from Federal, State, and local 
agencies, Tribes and from private organizations and citizens who have 
interest in this proposal. Public information meetings, feedback 
sessions, and other outreach efforts will be conducted to discuss the 
potential alignments.
    The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review, and a 
public hearing will be held to receive comments. Public notice will be 
given of the time and place of all meetings and hearings. Comments and/
or suggestions from all interested parties are requested, to ensure 
that the full range of all issues, and significant social and 
environmental issues in particular, are identified and reviewed. 
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and/or its EIS 
should be directed to the FHWA, MDT or the City of Missoula at the 
addresses listed previously.

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

    Issued on: October 11, 2000.
Dale W. Paulson,
Program Development Engineer, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-26563 Filed 10-16-00; 8:45 am]
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