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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 67211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22008]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Loudon, 
Anderson, and Knox Counties, TN

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: 

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otice of intent.

SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare a Supplemental 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement in cooperation with the Tennessee 
Department of Transportation (TDOT) for Route 475 (Knoxville Parkway) 
in Loudon, Knox, and Anderson Counties, Tennessee. This project is 
intended to improve regional and national transportation needs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Walter Boyd, P.E., Field 
Operations Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration--Tennessee 
Division Office, 640 Grassmere Park Road, Suite 112, Nashville, TN 
37211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Transportation 
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the 
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), intends to prepare a 
Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Route 
475 (Knoxville Parkway).
    A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) FHWA-EIS-(TN-EIS-01-
02-D) for the project was approved and released for public review in 
December 2001. The original DEIS contained analysis of three 
alternative alignments, called the Blue, Orange, and Green 
Alternatives. Based on the findings of the DEIS and comments provided 
by the public, TDOT identified the Orange Alternative as the preferred 
alignment to carry forward in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. 
The proposed project corridor begins at Interstate 75 (I-75) 
approximately 5.8 miles southwest of the I-40/I-75 merge southwest of 
Knoxville near Lenoir City. From this location, the corridor extends in 
a northeasterly direction to I-75 approximately 3.0 miles northwest of 
the I-75/SR-61 interchange, north of Knoxville near the City of Norris.
    Since the DEIS was approved, the alternatives development and 
screening process for the Route 475 project has continued through the 
Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process (http://www.knoxvilleparkway.com). The CSS process identified two new 
alternatives that follow the general alignment of the original Orange 
alternative, but have been shifted at various locations based primarily 
on input from the CSS team. Furthermore, the number and type of access 
points along the corridor have been modified on these two alternatives. 
The purpose of the SDEIS is to develop and study these two new 
alternatives.
    Letters describing the proposed NEPA study and soliciting input 
will be sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies that 
have expressed or are known to have an interest or legal role in this 
proposal. Private organizations, citizens, and interest groups will 
have an opportunity to provide input into the development of the SDEIS 
and identify issues that should be addressed. Notices of public 
meetings or public hearings will be given through various forums 
providing the time and place of the meeting along with other relevant 
information. The SDEIS will be available for public and agency review 
and comment prior to the public hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed 
action are identified and taken into account, comments and suggestions 
are invited from all interested parties. Comments and questions 
concerning the proposed action and SDEIS should be directed to FHWA at 
the address provided above.

    Issued on: October 31, 2005.
Walter Boyd,
Field Operations Team Leader, Nashville, Tennessee.
[FR Doc. 05-22008 Filed 11-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M
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