Environmental Impact Statement: Aurora, CO |
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Ronald A. Speral
Federal Highway Administration
14 July 1994
[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 134 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17112]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Environmental Impact Statement: Aurora, CO
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 a
combined environmental impact/Section 4(f) evaluation will be prepared
for a proposed project in Aurora, Colorado.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ronald A. Speral, Design/Environmental Coordinator, FHWA Colorado
Division; 555 Zang Street, Room 250; Lakewood Colorado 80228; Telephone
(303) 969-6730, extension 368.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Colorado
Department of Transportation (CDOT), the U.S. Army Corps Engineers, and
the Regional Transportation District (RTD), will prepare draft and
final environmental impact statements and draft and final Section 4(f)
evaluations (for use of parkland) on a proposal to improve SH 83
(Parker Road) in Aurora, Colorado. The City of Aurora and the Colorado
Division of Parks and Recreation will be commenting agencies. The
proposed improvement would involve upgrading the I-225/Parker Road
interchange, widening Parker Road along the \3/4\ mile segment between
Peoria Street and Hampden Avenue, and constructing new grade
separations to replace the Parker Road Intersections at Vaughn Way and
at Hampden Avenue. These improvements to Parker Road are considered
necessary to relieve significant existing traffic congestion and safety
problems.
The alternatives to be considered in the EIS/4(f) evaluation
include the following:
(1) The No Build Alternative (taking no action)
(2) Congestion Management Alternative. This alternative would
consist of the implementation of several traditional and/or
nontraditional congestion management strategies. The potential
operational benefits of any combination of strategies would be
considered. Only those combined strategies that are capable of meeting
the project's mobility objectives (including a minimum peak hour Level
of Service ``E'' for general traffic) will be analyzed for their
environmental impacts.
(3) Alternative 3 (as referenced in the Citizens' Advisory
Committee Final Report and Recommendation to Aurora City Council,
November 1992), described as follows:
At I-225, a two-lane flyover ramp (Ramp G) would elevate from the
right side of Parker Road and cross over it south of the existing
interchange (toward Cherry Creek State Park). The ramp would cross over
I-225 near RTD's Nine Mile park-n-Ride.
An on-ramp from the intersection of Parker Road and Peoria Street
to southbound I-225 would replace the existing on-ramp between the
park-n-Ride and I-225.
A loop ramp around the park-n-Ride would replace the signal on
Parker Road that now serves the southbound I-225 to southeast--bound
Parker Road movement.
All other existing ramps would remain at grade, but would be
relocated slightly to accommodate widening of Parker Road. The
northbound I-225 off-ramp to northwest-bound Parker Road would provide
for triple (one new) left turn lanes.
South of I-225, Vaughn Way would be grade separated to pass beneath
Parker Road. Two way access roads, providing right-in, right-out access
to and from Parker Road, would replace the existing signalized
intersection.
At Hampden Avenue, a half (split) urban interchange would replace
the existing intersection.
All of the above improvements would eliminate three existing
signals for through traffic movements along the \3/4\ mile segment of
Parker Road.
(4) Alternative 8 (as referenced in the November 1992 Report),
would be identical to Alternative 3, with the exception of the
alignment of Ramp G. The two-lane flyover ramp would cross over I-225
near the north end of the I-225 structures over Parker Road.
All build alternatives will include pedestrian and bicycle facility
improvements. Operationally feasible congestion management strategies
will be investigated in conjunction with the build alternatives and
incorporated as appropriate.
Seventeen public meetings have been held on the project since March
31, 1992. An agency scoping meeting was held by CDOT with FHWA, the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Colorado Division of Parks and
Recreation, RTD, and the City of Aurora on April 20, 1994. Letters
describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to
appropriate federal, state, and local agencies. ``Open house'' and/or
informal meetings for the general public will be held during
development of the draft EIS. A public hearing will be conducted during
the public comment period for the draft EIS/4(f) evaluation. Public
notice will be given of the time and place of future public meetings
and for the hearing. The draft EIS/4(f) evaluation will be available
for public and agency review during a 45-day comment period.
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 draft EIS/4(f)
evaluation 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: July 6, 1994.
Ronald A. Speral,
Design/Environmental Coordinator, Lakewood, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 94-17112 Filed 7-13-94; 8:45 am]
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