[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10417-10418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4564]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Tioga County, PA, and Steuben 
County, NY

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 in Tioga County, Pennsylvania and Steuben County, New 
York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradley D. Keazer, District Engineer, 
Federal Highway Administration, 228 [[Page 10418]] Walnut Street, P.O. 
Box 1086, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108-1086, Telephone: 717-782-4422, 
or Russell E. Campbell, Project Manager, Pennsylvania Department of 
Transportation, District 3-0, 715 Jordan Avenue, Montoursville, 
Pennsylvania 17754-0218, Telephone: 717-368-4380.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the New York State 
Department of Transportation, will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve the safety and capacity on 
U.S. Route 15 in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and Steuben County, New 
York. The approximate length of the study area is 12 miles (6 miles in 
each state).
    In Pennsylvania, the project begins just south of the U.S. Route 15 
and PA 287 intersection and continues north to the PA/NY state line. 
The New York section begins at the state line and continues north to 
the project terminus just south of Presho, where the existing two lane 
roadway becomes a four-lane, limited access highway.
    This 12-mile section of U.S. Route 15 was programmed because of 
several transportation considerations. It is a direct tie between the 
major economic areas of Williamsport and Corning. This is the last 
section of U.S. Route 15 between these two cities to come under 
consideration for upgrade (all other sections of U.S. Route 15 are 
either under design, construction, or studies are being activated). The 
upgrade would improve access to nearby recreational areas and would 
sustain the existing economy of the area by providing improved access. 
A facility constructed to present design standards would improve 
safety.
    A two-phased study approach will be used to identify and evaluate 
alternatives. The initial phase is for scoping and needs assessment. 
The study will then involve the development of potential alternatives 
through the study area. Each of the alternatives will be developed such 
that a means of comparison can be made along with the No-Build 
Alternative. Upgrade of the existing facility and new alignments may be 
considered.
    Concurrent with the development of the alternatives, various types 
of data will be gathered which will describe the study area as it 
relates to the alternatives. The following environmental areas will be 
investigated for EIS preparation: Traffic, air quality, noise and 
vibration; surface water resources; aquatic environmental; floodplains; 
groundwaters; soils and geology; wetlands; vegetation and wildlife; 
endangered species; agricultural lands assessment; visual; 
socioeconomics and land use; construction impacts; energy; municipal, 
industrial, and hazardous waste; historic and archaeological structures 
and sites; Section 4(f) evaluation; and wild and scenic rivers. The 
above information will be utilized to refine the alternatives or 
eliminate a particular alternative from further considerations because 
of the potential for negative socioeconomic, environmental, or 
engineering impacts.
    The second phase will utilize the alternatives selected in the 
initial phase and perform a detailed analysis on each. These 
alternatives will be the basis for the detailed environmental and 
engineering studies and the Environmental Impact Statement. From this 
analysis a preferred alternative will be identified which meets the 
needs of traffic demand, and satisfies the environmental, 
socioeconomic, and engineering evaluations and public feedback.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal agencies as well as State and local 
agencies in New York and Pennsylvania, and to private organizations and 
citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in 
this proposal. A series of public and agency meetings will be held 
throughout the development of the project. In addition, a public 
hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place 
of the meetings and hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public 
and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    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 or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the FHWA or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 
at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding ingovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program)

    Issued on: February 15, 1995.
Manuel A. Marks,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania.
[FR Doc. 95-4564 Filed 2-23-95; 8:45 am]
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