Environmental Impact Statement: Lexington and Richland Counties, South Carolina; Notice of Intent |
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Robert D. Thomas, II
Federal Highway Administration
July 24, 2015
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44184-44185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17020]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Lexington and Richland Counties,
South Carolina; Notice of Intent
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 an
environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway
project in Lexington and Richland counties, South Carolina.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily O. Lawton, Division
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Strom Thurmond Federal
Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Suite 1270, Columbia, South Carolina
29201, Telephone: (803) 765-5411, Email: emily.lawton@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the South
Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), will prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve the I-20/
I-26/I-126 Corridor located in Lexington and Richland counties, South
Carolina. To date, the project area has been defined as a mainline
corridor including I-20 from the Saluda River to the Broad River, I-26
from US 378 to Broad River Road, and I-126 from Colonial Life Boulevard
to I-26.
The I-20/I-26/I-126 corridor is a vital link in South Carolina,
serving residents, commuters, travelers, and commerce. Due to nearby
residential and commercial development, proximity to downtown Columbia,
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traffic volumes, and the overall geometric layout, including 12
interchange points, the I-20/I-26/I-126 corridor has become one of the
most congested interstate sections in South Carolina. Improvements to
the corridor are considered necessary to provide for the existing and
projected traffic demand and to address the existing and projected
future congestion. In order to address the existing and anticipated
traffic volumes, SCDOT is developing an EIS that will promote informed
decision making in the development of a solution to reduce congestion,
improve traffic operations, increase safety and increase capacity.
The FHWA and SCDOT are seeking input as part of the scoping process
to assist in identifying issues relative to this project and potential
solutions. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting
comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local
agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously
expressed an interest in this proposal. Formal public scoping meetings
will be held in Lexington and Richland counties. In addition, public
information meetings will be held as the project is developed, and a
public hearing will be conducted after the approval of the draft EIS.
Public notice will be given of the time and place of the meetings and
hearing. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency review
and comment prior to the public hearing.
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 EIS 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.)
Dated: July 7, 2015.
Robert D. Thomas, II,
Assistant Division Administrator, Columbia, South Carolina.
[FR Doc. 2015-17020 Filed 7-23-15; 8:45 am]
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