Environmental Impact Statement: Northwest Corridor Project--Municipalities of Hatillo, Camuy, Quebradillas, Isabela, Moca and Aguadilla, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Luis D. López-Rivera
Federal Highway Administration
August 4, 2014

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45230-45231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18309]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Northwest Corridor Project--
Municipalities of Hatillo, Camuy, Quebradillas, Isabela, Moca and 
Aguadilla, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
Northwest Corridor highway project within the Municipalities of 
Hatillo,

[[Page 45231]]

Camuy, Quebradillas, Isabela, Moca and Aguadilla in the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis D. L[oacute]pez-Rivera, PE, 
Environmental Specialist, FHWA Puerto Rico Division Office, 350 Avenue 
Carlos Chard[oacute]n Suite 210, San Juan PR 00918-2161; Telephone: 
(787) 766-5600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Puerto 
Rico Highway & Transportation Authority (PRHTA), will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal for improvements to 
the Hatillo-Aguadilla Northwest Corridor in the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico. The proposed project starts at PR-22/PR-2 intersection in the 
municipality of Hatillo, and ends at State Road PR-2 between kilometers 
128.0 and 130.0 in the municipality of Aguadilla for a total length of 
approximately 45 kilometers.
    The main goals of the Northwest Corridor project are: (1) Complete 
an expressway from San Juan to Aguadilla; (2) provide a more efficient 
system linkage in the study corridor; (3) alleviate local congestion on 
PR-2 in the municipalities of Hatillo, Camuy, Quebradillas, Isabela, 
Moca, and Aguadilla; (4) reduce travel time in at least 20% from 
Hatillo to Aguadilla; (5) improve traffic safety conditions from 
Hatillo to Aguadilla; (6) reduce the vehicle operating and maintenance 
costs of vehicle owners using the route; (7) reduce vehicle air 
emissions; and (8) promote the socioeconomic development of the 
northwest region of Puerto Rico.
    Alternates under consideration include but are not limited to the 
following: (1) Taking no action; (2) widening the existing four-lane 
and at grade intersections to six-lanes and intersection overpasses at 
State Road PR-2; (3) constructing a four-lanes, limited access highway 
on new location; (4) and (5) constructing four-lanes, limited access 
highway segments on two new locations in combination with widening the 
existing four-lane and at grade intersections to six-lanes and 
intersection overpasses on other State Road PR-2 segments; (6) Dynamic 
Toll Lanes at State Road PR-2 from Hatillo to Aguadilla and 
constructing a four lanes limited access highway on the Aguadilla 
segment. The EIS will be developed in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139, 23 
CFR 771, and 40 CFR 1500-1508.
    Public involvement will occur throughout the development of the 
environmental studies and the EIS. These documents will be made 
available for review and comments by federal and state resource 
agencies and the public. Specific efforts to encourage involvement by, 
and solicit comments from, minority and low-income populations in the 
project study area will be made. A series of public information 
meetings will be held during the project study. In addition, a public 
hearing will be held after the completion of the Draft EIS. Public 
notice will be given as to the time and place of all public information 
meetings and hearings.
    Inquiries related to the Hatillo-Aguadilla Northwest Corridor 
Project EIS can be sent to FHWA at the address provided above or at 
http://www.corredornoroeste.com. 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.
    The EIS process will conclude with a Record of Decision selecting 
either the no build alternative or a preferred alternative.

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

    Dated: July 29, 2014.
Luis D. L[oacute]pez-Rivera,
Environmental Specialist, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
[FR Doc. 2014-18309 Filed 8-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P