```

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93822-93823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27823]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement: Cameron, Hidalgo, And Willacy 
Counties, Texas

AGENCY: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Federal notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FHWA, on behalf of TxDOT, is issuing this notice to advise the 
public that an EIS will be prepared for a proposed transportation 
project to study the effects of constructing a highway improvement 
project from Interstate Highway (I-) 69C/United States Highway (US) 281 
to I-69E/US 77 in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties, Texas (CSJ: 
0921-02-353). The proposed project will be referred to herein as I-69 
Connector, or the I-69 Connector Project. The proposed project is 
approximately 25 miles in length.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francisco Chapa, P.E., TxDOT Pharr 
District Project Manager, 600 West I-2, Pharr, Texas, 78577, (956) 702-
6344, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review, consultation, and 
other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for 
this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 
23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9, 2019, 
and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
    The purpose and need of the proposed I-69 Connector is to 
alleviate/reduce traffic congestion and improve regional mobility, to 
improve and increase transportation network connectivity, to address 
future population growth and travel demands, and to provide an east-
west hurricane evacuation route.
    The proposed project would evaluate a new potential connection from 
I-69C/US 281 to I-69E/US 77 in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties, 
Texas (CSJ: 0921-02-353). The proposed project could potentially 
include constructing a highway on new location for approximately 25 
miles with grade separations at intersections with major crossroads.
    The EIS will evaluate a range of build alternatives and a no-build 
alterative. Possible build alternatives include the four alternatives 
that were evaluated in the I-69 Connector Route Feasibility Study. Each 
alternative would be evaluated on the same right-of-way width and level 
of detail during the Alternative Analysis process.

Alternative A

    Alternative A starts on the western end at the intersection of I-
69C/US 281 and State Highway (SH) 107. It follows SH 107 for 
approximately 3.2 miles to the east, where SH 107 curves north, before 
continuing on new location eastward for approximately 12.3 miles. After 
intersection with International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)'s 
North Floodway, the alignment follows SH 107 southeast for 2.2 miles 
before turning north at the intersection of Farm-to-Market (FM) 1425 
for approximately 1.1 miles and continuing east for approximately 6.5 
miles until the eastern end of the project at I-69E/US 77. Alternative 
A is on partial new location and approximately 25.5 miles long.

Alternative B

    Alternative B starts on new alignment at the western end at I-69C/
US 281 and approximately 0.15 mile south of E. Richardson Road. This 
alignment continues east for approximately 3.4 miles, and curves 
slightly south at the intersection of SH 107 before continuing on new 
location for approximately 12.3 miles. After the alignment's 
intersection with the IBWC's North Floodway, the alignment moves 
slightly south until the intersection with FM 1425 for approximately 
2.1 miles, then continues east for approximately 7 miles until the 
eastern end of the project at I-69E/US 77. Alternative B is on new 
location and approximately 24.8 miles long.

Alternative C

    Alternative C starts on new alignment at the western end at I-69C/
US 281 and approximately 0.70 mile north of E. Richardson Road. The 
alignment continues east for approximately 9.7 miles until curving 
south after the intersection with FM 88. The alignment continues east 
for approximately 15.3 miles until the eastern end of the project at I-
69E/US 77. Alternative C is on new location and approximately 25 miles 
long.

Alternative D

    Alternative D starts on new alignment at the western end at I-69C/
US 281 and approximately 0.7 mile north of E. Richardson Road. The 
alignment continues east for approximately 9.3 miles until curving 
north 0.3 mile west of the intersection with FM 88. The alignment 
continues northeast for approximately 4.3 miles then continues east for 
approximately 9.6 miles until the intersection with I-69E/US 77. 
Alternative D is on new location and approximately 23 miles long.
    Section 106 and Section 4(f) Historic Properties. The proposed 
build alternatives will be evaluated for potential adverse impacts to 
historic properties (i.e. properties that are eligible for or listed in 
the National Register of Historic Places) within the study area.
    Environmental Justice (EJ). The proposed build alternatives will be 
evaluated for potential adverse impacts to EJ communities due to 
anticipated relocations as well as other impacts such as access, noise, 
and visual aesthetics. Additional analysis and public involvement will 
be conducted during the National Environmental Policy Act process to 
assess if the project would result in any disproportionately high and 
adverse effects on low-income and minority communities.
    Wildlife and threatened and endangered species. The proposed build 
alternatives will be evaluated for potential adverse impacts to 
wildlife and threatened and endangered species within the study area.
    Floodplains. The proposed build alternatives will be evaluated for 
potential adverse impacts to floodplains within the study area.
    The EIS will evaluate the potential impacts and benefits to the 
resources/communities identified above as well as the following other 
subject areas: Limited English Proficiency communities, land use, 
right-of-way, social and community resources, traffic noise, air 
quality, water resources, hazardous materials sites, cultural 
resources, biological resources, protected lands 4(f) and 6(f), and 
visual resources.
    It is anticipated that the following would be required: Texas 
Antiquities Code permit and concurrence, Section 106 historic/
archeological resources concurrence, Section 4(f) evaluation approval, 
Section 7 consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, IBWC Permit, and 
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Section 404 Nationwide Permit(s).
    A Tentative Schedule is outlined below.

[[Page 93823]]

    The Agency Scoping Meeting was held July 29, 2024.
    Public Scoping Meeting: January 21 and 23, 2025.
    The FEIS/ROD is anticipated Summer 2027.
    In addition to the public scoping meeting, a public hearing will be 
held after the Draft EIS is prepared. Public notice will provide the 
time and place of the hearing. After the public hearing and end of 
Draft EIS comment period, issuance of the Final EIS/Record of Decision 
is anticipated. If a build alternative is selected, all permits and 
authorization decisions would occur before construction.
    The following entities have been invited to be cooperating agencies 
for this EIS: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
Conservation Service, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corp of 
Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Transit 
Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, International Boundary 
and Water Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Santa Ana National 
Wildlife Refuge, Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 
Kiowa Tribe, Mescalero Apache Tribe, Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma, Apache 
Tribe of Oklahoma, and Comanche Nation of Oklahoma.
    The following entities have been invited to be participating 
agencies for this EIS: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 
McAllen Historic Preservation Council, Texas Division of Emergency 
Management, The Texas General Land Office, Texas Historical Commission/
State Historic Preservation Officer, Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department, Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, Hidalgo County 
Regional Mobility Authority, Hidalgo County Planning and Development, 
Cameron County Planning and Development, Hidalgo County, Cameron 
County, Willacy County, Texas Department of Public Safety, City of 
Harlingen, City of Lyford, City of McAllen, City of Donna, City of 
Edinburg, City of Elsa, City of La Feria, City of La Villa, City of 
Alamo, City of San Juan, City of Weslaco, City of Mercedes, City of 
Palm Valley, City of Pharr, City of Raymondville, Town of Combes, Rio 
Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, Cameron County 
Historical Commission, Hidalgo County Historical Commission, Willacy 
County Historical Commission, Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, 
Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2, McAllen Economic Development 
Corporation (EDC), Harlingen EDC, Edinburg EDC, Alamo EDC, Donna EDC, 
Lyford EDC, Mercedes EDC, Pharr EDC, San Juan EDC, Weslaco EDC, Elsa 
EDC, and Combes EDC.
    TxDOT will issue a single Final Environmental Impact Statement and 
Record of Decision document pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 139(n)(2), unless 
TxDOT determines statutory criteria or practicability considerations 
preclude issuance of a combined document.
    In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139, cooperating agencies, 
participating agencies, and the public will be given an opportunity for 
continued input on project development. A in-person public scoping 
meeting is planned for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
CST at J. Economedes High School 1414 N Alamo Rd, Edinburg, Texas 
78541, and January 23, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST at Elma E. 
Barrera Elementary School, Hwy 107, Santa Rosa, Texas 78593. The public 
scoping meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to review 
and comment on the draft coordination plan and schedule, the project 
purpose and need, the range of alternatives, and methodologies and 
level of detail for analyzing alternatives. It will also allow the 
public an opportunity to provide input on any expected environmental 
impacts, anticipated permits or other authorizations, and any 
significant issues that should be analyzed in depth in the EIS. In 
addition to the public scoping meeting, a public hearing will be held 
after the draft EIS is prepared. Public notice will be given of the 
time and place of the meeting and hearing.
    The public meeting will be conducted in English. If you need an 
interpreter or document translator because English is not your primary 
language or you have difficulty communicating effectively in English, 
one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and need 
assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. 
If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a person 
with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and 
participate in the public scoping meeting, please contact Norma 
Robledo, TxDOT Pharr District, at (956) 702-6161 no later than 4 p.m. 
CT, Thursday, January 16, 2025. Please be aware that advance notice is 
required as some services and accommodations may require time for the 
Texas Department of Transportation to arrange.
    The public is requested to provide public comments on alternatives 
or impacts and on relevant information, studies, or analyses with 
respect to this proposed project. Comments may be provided in writing 
by mail to Francisco Chapa, TxDOT Project Manager at 600 West I-2, 
Pharr, Texas, 78577 or by email to [email protected] or to 
[email protected]. Comments must be received by Friday, 
February 7, 2025.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction.)

Michael T. Leary,
Director, Planning and Program Development, Federal Highway 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-27823 Filed 11-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
```