Environmental Impact Statement: Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties, Illinois

Glenn D. Fulkerson
Federal Highway Administration
May 8, 2014

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26497-26498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10566]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford 
Counties, Illinois

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 
Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the Eastern 
Bypass Study in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties in Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine A. Batey, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park 
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4600. Joseph E. 
Crowe, P.E., Deputy Director of Highways, Region 3 Engineer, Illinois 
Department of Transportation, 401 Main Street, Peoria, Illinois 61602, 
Phone: (309) 671-3333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Illinois 
Department of Transportation (IDOT), will prepare a Tier 1 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Eastern Bypass 
Study. The anticipated project termini are Interstate 74, east of the 
city of East Peoria, and Illinois Route 6, north of the city of Peoria. 
The study area covers approximately 200 square miles in Peoria, 
Tazewell, and Woodford Counties in Illinois. The project is being 
considered in order to improve vehicular mobility and access across the 
Illinois River and between Tazewell and Woodford Counties.
    The Tier 1 EIS will evaluate alternatives including a No Action 
Alternative, transportation system management strategies, existing or 
new transit improvements, and various Build Corridor Alternatives. The 
No Action Alternative will draw upon highway improvements already 
planned in the study area. The Tier 1 EIS will develop and evaluate a 
range of reasonable Build Corridor Alternatives, including a new 
crossing of the Illinois River, within which the proposed project could 
be constructed. The Build Alternatives will be developed at a corridor 
level and will address transportation and social benefits, 
environmental and social impacts, and other possible effects. The Tier 
1 EIS will conclude with a Record of Decision identifying one or more 
corridors that can encompass one or more transportation alternatives to 
be studied in subsequent Tier 2 NEPA documents.
    The Tier 1 EIS will evaluate potential effects on the social, 
economic, and physical environment, including land use and 
socioeconomic conditions, ecological resources, and cultural resources, 
at a corridor level commensurate with a Tier 1 EIS. Potentially 
affected resources include: agricultural, residential, commercial, and 
industrial properties; streams, wetlands and floodplains; woodlands, 
park land, natural areas, and land and water reserves; and historic 
properties.
    A scoping meeting for the Tier 1 EIS was held on November 1, 2012, 
in Peoria, Illinois to obtain input from resource agencies on the level 
of detail and methodologies to be used in the tiered EIS process. 
Additional comments and suggestions are invited from all interested 
parties regarding the scope of the Tier 1 EIS to ensure all issues 
related to this proposal are addressed and that any significant impacts 
are identified.
    To ensure all substantive issues related to this proposal are 
identified and addressed, the study will be conducted using Context 
Sensitive Solutions Policy and will include the development of a 
Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP). The SIP will outline public 
involvement activities to be included in the study. Public 
informational meetings, local government meetings, newsletters, and a 
project Web site will provide opportunities for public input. A public 
hearing will be held at the time the draft EIS is made available for 
public and agency review and comment. Public notice will be given of 
the time and place of public meetings and hearings. Comments or 
questions regarding this proposed action and the Tier 1 EIS are invited 
from all interested parties and should be directed to the FHWA or the 
Illinois Department of Transportation at the addresses provided above.

(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.)


[[Page 26498]]


    Issued on: May 2, 2014.
Glenn D. Fulkerson,
Assistant Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 
Springfield, Illinois.
[FR Doc. 2014-10566 Filed 5-7-14; 8:45 am]
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