[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31973-31974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14828]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Suffolk County, New York

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 will be prepared for the proposed 
highway project, the Long Island Travel and Information Center between 
Exits 51 and 52 adjacent to the eastbound roadway of the Long Island 
Expressway (I-495) in Suffolk County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Siracusa, Regional Director, New 
York State Department of Transportation, Region 10, State Office 
Building, 250 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788, 
Telephone: 631-952-6632

or

Robert Arnold, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
New York Division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th Floor, Clinton 
Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12207, Telephone: 518-
431-4127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York 
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to develop the Long 
Island Travel and Information Center (LITIC) in Suffolk County, New 
York. The LITIC is proposed for development between Exits 51 and 52 of 
the eastbound Long Island Expressway (LIE-I-495). The proposed facility 
would be constructed on an 11.8-acre parcel along the south side of the 
LIE, within State Row-of-Way, on which an existing parking area and 
recharge basin are presently located. The facility is needed to improve 
driver performance and safety, and to provide information to drivers 
about roadway conditions, overnight accommodations, and recreational 
attractions on Long Island. The facility, accessible only from the 
eastbound LIE, would have a traveler information center, rest rooms, 
parking for cars, trucks, buses and recreational vehicles, and related 
facilities. The existing 2-lane Carll's Straight Path bridge over the 
LIE at the western end of the project site would be replaced by a new 
3-lane bridge. The proposed project site is in the Town of Huntington.

[[Page 31974]]

    Alternatives under consideration include: (1) Taking no action; (2) 
replacing the existing seasonal parking area with a year-round travel 
and information center, and replacing the existing Carll's Straight 
Path bridge; and (3) replacing the existing seasonal parking area with 
a year-round travel and information center, and retaining the existing 
Carll's Straight Path bridge.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed 
interest in this proposal. The draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment. A formal NEPA scoping meeting will be 
held at the State Office Building Cafeteria at 250 Veterans Memorial 
Highway, in Hauppauge, New York. The scoping meeting will be held on 
June 25, 2001 from 4:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments 
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments and 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the NYSDOT or FHWA at the addresses provided above.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program.)
    Issued on: May 30, 2001.
Douglas P. Conlan,
District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 01-14828 Filed 6-12-01; 8:45 am]
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