Environmental Impact Statement: Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Charles W. Bolinger
Federal Highway Administration
November 20, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69743-69744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27788]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Caddo Parish, Louisiana

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Revised Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this revised notice of intent to advise 
the public of modifications to the I-49 Inner City Connector 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The previous notice of intent 
described the I-49 Inner City Connector as an approximate 3.8 mile new 
freeway designed to connect existing I-49 to future I-49 North at its 
proposed junction with I-220 in Shreveport, Louisiana. During the 
public involvement process undertaken as part of the EIS, a build 
alternative utilizing an existing roadway was proposed and will be 
studied in the EIS. This alternative represents an approximate 12 mile 
connector to link existing I-49 at its junction with Louisiana Highway 
3132 to future I-49 North at its proposed junction with I-220. This NOI 
revises the NOI issued on February 8, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Bolinger, Division 
Administrator, Louisiana Division, Federal Highway Administration, 5304 
Flanders Drive, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Telephone: 225-757-7600. 
See also the project Web site at http://www.i49shreveport.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Louisiana 
Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the Northwest 
Louisiana Council of Governments (NLCOG), is preparing an EIS on a 
proposal to construct the I-49 Inner City Connector.
    The I-49 Inner City Connector is freeway designed to connect 
existing I-49 to future I-49 North at its proposed junction with I-220 
in Shreveport, Louisiana. The project's purpose and need are to provide 
connectivity between existing I-49 and future I-49 and is intended to 
improve economic opportunities by providing increased access to the 
interstate system. Alternatives currently under consideration include: 
(1) Taking no action; (2) constructing an elevated freeway on new 
location; (3) constructing a freeway that is partly elevated and partly 
at-grade on new location; and (4) upgrade and modification of existing 
roadways. Build alternatives for the I-49 Inner City Connector involve 
a travel distance of approximately three and one-half miles up to 
approximately 12 miles. Incorporated into and studied with the various 
build alternatives will be design variations of grade and alignment.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments were 
sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private 
organizations and citizens who have previously

[[Page 69744]]

expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. A series of 
Public Meetings were held at various locations in Shreveport in 
December 2011 and December 2012 to discuss the four build alternatives 
under consideration. An additional round of Public Meetings will be 
held in early 2014 to present the new build alternative along with the 
four original build alternatives. A Public Hearing will also 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. A formal scoping meeting was 
held at NLCOG on October 18, 2011, when the project was approved to 
move forward as an Environmental Assessment. On December 1 2011, FHWA 
determined the required class of action to comply with the NEPA process 
as an Environmental Impact Statement. Additional public scoping was 
conducted during the Public Meetings held in December 2011.
    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 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 intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Issued on: November 8, 2013.
Charles W. Bolinger,
Division Administrator, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
[FR Doc. 2013-27788 Filed 11-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P