Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Dane and Columbia Counties, Wisconsin

Johnny M. Gerbitz
Federal Highway Administration
November 20, 2014

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 69187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27476]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS): Dane and Columbia Counties, Wisconsin

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Wisconsin Department of 
Transportation (WisDOT), DOT.

ACTION: Federal Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
EIS will be prepared for a proposed freeway corridor improvement 
project on I-39/90/94 from the US 12/18 Interchange to the I-39/WIS 78 
interchange in Dane and Columbia Counties in south-central Wisconsin.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Blankenship, Major Projects 
Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 525 Junction Road, 
Suite 8000, Madison, Wisconsin, 53717-2157, Telephone: (608) 829-7510.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Wisconsin 
Department of Transportation (WisDOT), will prepare an EIS for proposed 
improvements in the I-39/90/94 corridor and adjacent local road systems 
from the US 12/18 interchange (Madison Beltline interchange) to the I-
39/WIS 78 interchange (south of Portage), approximately 35 miles. The 
project limits also include WIS 30 from East Washington Avenue to I-39/
90/94, I-94 from I-39/90 to County N, US 151 from I-39/90/94 to Main 
Street in Sun Prairie, and the I-39/90/94, US 51 & WIS 19 triangle in 
DeForest, including operational areas of influence at each interchange. 
The purpose of this project is to address bridge structural needs 
including replacement of the Wisconsin River crossing; highway and 
roadside safety issues and design deficiencies; accommodate existing 
and projected traffic volumes; and improve the transportation system's 
ability to support local and regional tourism economies. The EIS will 
evaluate a range of alternatives for the I-39/90/94 mainline and system 
interchanges, adjacent arterial roads, and connections to the local 
road network. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 
139, 23 CFR771, and 40 CFR parts 1500-1508. Completion of the draft EIS 
is expected in 2017, and the final EIS in 2019.
    Public involvement is a critical component of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and will occur throughout the 
development of the draft and final EIS. All environmental documents 
will be made available for review 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, with public involvement meetings held 
throughout the environmental document process. Public notice will be 
given as to the time and place of public involvement meetings. A public 
hearing will be held after the completion of the Draft EIS.
    Inquiries about the EIS can be sent to i399094@dot.wi.gov. A public 
Web site will be maintained for the EIS to provide information about 
the project and allow for on-line public comment 
(www.i399094@dot.wi.gov). To ensure the full range of issues related to 
the proposed action are addressed and all significant issues 
identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested 
parties. Comments and questions concerning the proposed action and this 
notice should be directed to the FHWA address provided above.
    Projects receiving Federal funds must comply with Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act, and Executive Order 12898 ``Federal Actions to 
Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations.'' Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of 
race, color, age, sex, or country of national origin in the 
implementation of this project. It is also Federal policy to identify 
and address any disproportionately high and adverse effects of federal 
projects on the health or environment of minority and low-income 
populations to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.

(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 12, 2014.
Johnny M. Gerbitz,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, Madison, 
Wisconsin.
[FR Doc. 2014-27476 Filed 11-19-14; 8:45 am]
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