Environmental Impact Statement: Erie and Genesee Counties, New York

Michael Canavan
Federal Highway Administration
September 30, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60009-60010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23585]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Erie and Genesee Counties, New 
York

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT; New York State 
Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

ACTION: Revised notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this revised notice to advise the public 
that FHWA and NYSDOT will not be preparing an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the proposed project to improve or relocate the 
Williamsville Toll Barrier in the counties of Erie and Genesee, New 
York (NYSDOT Project Identification Number: 5528.28). A Notice of 
Intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on 
February 16, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan McDade, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, New York Division, Leo 
W. O'Brien Federal Building, 9th Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl 
Street, Albany, New York 12207, Telephone: (518) 431-4127, or Michael 
A. Shamma, New York State Thruway Authority, 200 Southern Boulevard, 
P.O. Box 189, Albany, New York 12201-0189.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York 
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and the New York State 
Thruway Authority (NYSTA), will not prepare an EIS as previously 
intended on a proposal to relocate or improve the Williamsville Toll 
Barrier in the Town of Amherst, Erie County, New York. The purpose of 
the project was to develop alternatives to address safety and 
operational concerns, relieve congestion, and address community 
concerns about air and noise pollution associated with the toll 
barrier. However, during the timeframe of the environmental studies, 
significant fiscal restraints, right of way takings, potential 
environmental impacts, and public controversy have significantly 
deteriorated the viability of the current project. In addition, new 
tolling technology, All Electronic Toll Collection (AETC) that is 
currently in the pilot testing stage for NYSTA, may reduce the lifespan 
of a new Toll Barrier from 50 years down to 10-15 years. This would 
reduce the benefit cost ratio to a point where it would not be a 
prudent financial investment. NYSTA has used relevant information from 
the environmental studies completed to date and prepared a feasibility

[[Page 60010]]

assessment on immediate and mid-term improvements to the current toll 
barrier that will improve operations, safety, and reduce congestion. 
Proposed immediate actions in the feasibility study will improve 
operations and safety, and mid-term improvements have the potential to 
address all capacity issues at the barrier today, as well as maintain 
viability of the toll plaza for the next 10 years. The improvements now 
being considered will not have a significant impact on the environment 
and will be progressed as Categorical Exclusion(s) or equivalent under 
the State Environmental Quality Review Process.

(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.)

    Authority:  23 U.S.C. 315; 23 CFR 771.123.

    Issued on: September 23, 2013.
Michael Canavan,
Chief, Operating Officer, Federal Highway Administration, Albany, New 
York .
[FR Doc. 2013-23585 Filed 9-27-13; 8:45 am]
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