[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 91 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25258-25259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11663]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD 95-044]


Public Hearings on Impacts of the Proposed Goethals Bridge 
Project, Staten Island, NY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public hearings.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Commandant has authorized two 
public hearings to be held by the Commander, First Coast Guard District 
at Staten Island, New York and Elizabeth, New Jersey, jointly with the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of these hearings is to 
consider an application by the Port Authority of New York and New 
Jersey for Coast Guard approval of location and plans of a proposed 
three-lane, fixed, vehicular, bridge project across Arthur Kill, mile 
11.5 between Staten Island, New York and Elizabeth, New Jersey, 
adjacent to the existing Goethals Bridge. The Corps of Engineers 
approval is needed for placement of fill associated with this project. 
All interested persons may present data, views and comments, orally or 
in writing, concerning the impact of the proposed bridge project on 
navigation and the human environment. Of particular concern at this 
time is the impact the proposed action will have on the environment.

DATES: The hearings will be held on June 13, 1995 commencing at 3:30 
p.m. and June 15, 1995 commencing at 2 p.m. Final comments for the 
record must be received by July 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed or delivered to Commander (obr), 
First Coast Guard District, Governors Island, New York, New York 10004-
5073. The June 13 hearing will be held at the New Dorp High School, 465 
New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, NY. The June 15 hearing will be held at 
the Elizabeth City Hall, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Miss Evelyn Smart, Environmental Protection Specialist, First Coast 
Guard District, Governors Island, New York, New York 10004-5073, (212) 
668-7165.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed new fixed bridge will be 2171 
meters (7123 feet) in length crossing Arthur Kill and Old Place Creek 
on the Staten Island approach. The proposed structure will provide 
navigation a minimum vertical clearance of 41.2 meters (135 feet) above 
Mean High Water and minimum horizontal clearance of 152.4 meters (500 
feet) measured normal to the axis of the channel. Two bridge design 
options, tied-arch and cable-stayed, are being considered for the main 
bridge span.
    The purpose of this project is to improve crossing capacity of the 
Staten island bridges system to meet present and anticipated future 
traffic demands. The project is also designed to eliminate the 
functional obsolescence of current design features on the existing 
bridge and to improve traffic service. The proposed additional bridge 
is also intended to improve truck traffic flow and related shipments of 
goods moved within the metropolitan region.
    Consideration of approval of the location and plans for the 
proposed vehicular bridge is the regulatory action precipitating the 
Coast Guard's involvement in this project. The Corps of Engineers is 
involved because of the project need for the placement of fill in the 
waterway.
    The Coast Guard, as Federal lead agency, has determined that this 
project will have a significant impact on the environment and is 
preparing a Draft Environmental Impact/4(f) Statement (DEIS). The Corps 
of Engineers is a cooperating agency.
    Alternatives were selected through a screening evaluation process 
which addressed transportation facility and systems options including: 
new highway or tunnel crossings; continued use of existing but modified 
crossing facilities; transit alternatives; freight movement 
alternatives; HOV alternatives; travel demand management schemes; 
transportation systems management and intelligent vehicle highway 
systems. The DEIS evaluates the No Action alternative and three 
transportation improvement alternatives: Goethals South crossing; 
Goethals North crossing; expanded Goethals HOV lane.
    Significant environmental impact issues which will be addressed in 
the DEIS are land use, socioeconomic impacts, archaeological resources, 
water quality, wetlands, fish and wildlife, coastal zone, navigation, 
construction, traffic, air and noise, aesthetics, and hazardous 
materials. Information concerning availability of the DEIS may be 
obtained from Ms. Evelyn Smart at the phone number listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    The hearings will be informal. Representatives of the Coast Guard 
and Corps of Engineers will preside, make brief opening statements and 
announce the procedures to be followed at the hearings. Each person who 
wishes to make an oral statement should contact Ms. Evelyn Smart at the 
phone number under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT before the hearing 
dates. Such notification should include the approximate time needed to 
make the presentation and the hearing location at which the 
presentation will be made. Comments previously submitted are a matter 
of record and need not be resubmitted at the hearings. Speakers are 
encouraged to provide written copies of their oral statement to the 
hearing officers at the time and place of the hearings.
    Interested persons who are unable to attend either hearing may also 
participate in the consideration of the proposed project by submitting 
their written comments by mail to the Commander (obr), First Coast 
Guard District at the address under ADDRESSES by July 14, 1995. Copies 
of all written communications will be available for review by 
interested persons after the hearings at the office of the Commander 
(obr), First Coast Guard District, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. Each written comment should 
identify the proposed project, clearly state the reason for any 
objections, comments or proposed changes to the plans, and include the 
name and address of the person or organization submitting the comment. 
All comments received, whether in writing or presented orally at the 
public hearings, will be fully considered before final agency action is 
taken on the proposed bridge permit application.
    A transcript of the hearings will be available for public review 
approximately 30 days after the [[Page 25259]] hearings. All comments 
will be made a part of the official case record.

    Dated: May 5, 1995.
M.F. McCormack,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety 
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 95-11663 Filed 5-10-95; 8:45 am]
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