[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 130 (Friday, July 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 35300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17133]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Environmental Impact Statement: Sarpy and Cass Counties, NE

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Nebraska Department of 
Roads (NDOR).

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
supplement to a final environmental impact statement will be prepared 
for a proposed highway project in Sarpy and Cass Counties, Nebraska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Philip E. Barnes, PE, Operations Engineer, Federal Highway 
Administration, Room 220, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, Nebraska 
68508-3851, Phone: (402) 437-5971
Mr. Arthur Yonkey, Project Development Engineer, Nebraska Department of 
Roads, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509, Phone: (402) 479-4795

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the NDOR, will 
prepare a supplement to the final environmental impact statement (EIS) 
on a proposal to improve U.S. Highway 75 in Sarpy and Cass Counties, 
Nebraska. The original EIS for the improvements (FHWA-Neb-EIS-73-11-F) 
was approved on June 6, 1979. The proposed improvements to U.S. 75 will 
provide a divided four-lane, limited access highway along existing 
alignment between the towns of Nebraska City and Bellevue, Nebraska for 
a distance of about 48 km (29.8 miles). Improvements to the corridor 
are considered necessary to provide for existing and projected traffic 
demand and improve upon high accident locations.
    The NDOR and FHWA have determined that a supplement to the EIS will 
be required for the 20 km (12.5 mile) segment from Murray (N-1) to 
Bellevue (Fairview Road) segment of the U.S. 75 improvements studied in 
1994. The supplement will identify those aspects of the project that 
have changed, as well as those aspects of the existing environmental 
setting, that have changed since the FEIS was filed 16 years ago. Since 
the 1979 EIS, the concept is proposed to be revised as follows:
    <bullet> Murray (N-1) to south edge of Plattsmouth--changed to a 
four lane rural expressway on existing alignment;
    <bullet> Through Plattsmouth--suburban signalized four lane 
expressway; and
    <bullet> North of Plattsmouth to Bellevue (Fairview Road)--retain 
four lane highway but increase access control to that of a freeway with 
access points (Interchanges) at Bay Road and north of LaPlatte Road.
    This alternative, a bypass to the west of Plattsmouth, and no 
action (retain 1979 preferred alternative) are currently being 
considered.
    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 or are 
known to have interest in this proposal.
    An agency scoping meeting was held on April 22, 1996. A public 
scoping meeting will not be held. Public notice will be given of the 
time and place of the public hearing. This draft supplemental EIS will 
be available for public and agency review and comment prior to the 
public hearing.
    To ensure that the full range of issues relating 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 Nebraska Department of Roads at the 
addresses provided above.
Philip E. Barnes,
Operations Engineer.
[FR Doc. 96-17133 Filed 7-3-96; 8:45 am]
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