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Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway Projects in Texas Publication: Federal Register Signing Official: Michael T. Leary Agency: Federal Highway Administration Date: 25 August 2022 
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52427-52428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18367]
[[Page 52427]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway
Projects in Texas
AGENCY: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of limitation on claims for judicial review of actions
by TxDOT and Federal agencies.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces actions taken by TxDOT and Federal
agencies that are final. The environmental review, consultation, and
other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for
these projects are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant
to an assignment agreement executed by FHWA and TxDOT. The actions
relate to various proposed highway projects in the State of Texas.
These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the projects.
DATES: By this notice, TxDOT is advising the public of final agency
actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A claim seeking judicial review
of TxDOT and Federal agency actions on the highway projects will be
barred unless the claim is filed on or before the deadline. For the
projects listed below, the deadline is January 23, 2023. If the Federal
law that authorizes judicial review of a claim provides a time period
of less than 150 days for filing such a claim, then that shorter time
period still applies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Lee, Environmental Affairs
Division, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street,
Austin, Texas 78701; telephone: (512) 416-2358; email:
Patrick.Lee@txdot.gov. TxDOT's normal business hours are 8:00 a.m.-5:00
p.m. (central time), Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental review, consultation, and
other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for
these projects are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant
to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9,
2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
Notice is hereby given that TxDOT and Federal agencies have taken
final agency actions by issuing licenses, permits, and approvals for
the highway projects in the State of Texas that are listed below.
The actions by TxDOT and Federal agencies and the laws under which
such actions were taken are described in the Categorical Exclusion
(CE), Environmental Assessment (EA), or Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) issued in connection with the projects and in other key project
documents. The CE, EA, or EIS and other key documents for the listed
projects are available by contacting the local TxDOT office at the
address or telephone number provided for each project below.
This notice applies to all TxDOT and Federal agency decisions as of
the issuance date of this notice and all laws under which such actions
were taken, including but not limited to:
1. General: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C.
4321-4351]; Federal-Aid Highway Act [23 U.S.C. 109].
2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401-7671(q)].
3. Land: Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of
1966 [49 U.S.C. 303]; Landscaping and Scenic Enhancement (Wildflowers)
[23 U.S.C. 319].
4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act [16 U.S.C. 1531-1544 and
Section 1536], Marine Mammal Protection Act [16 U.S.C. 1361], Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act [16 U.S.C. 661-667(d)], Migratory Bird Treaty
Act [16 U.S.C. 703-712].
5. Historic and Cultural Resources: Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended [54 U.S.C. 300101 et
seq.]; Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1977 [16 U.S.C.
470(aa)-11]; Archeological and Historic Preservation Act [54 U.S.C.
312501 et seq.]; Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA) [25 U.S.C. 3001-3013].
6. Social and Economic: Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C.
2000(d)-2000(d)(1)]; American Indian Religious Freedom Act [42 U.S.C.
1996]; Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) [7 U.S.C. 4201-4209].
7. Wetlands and Water Resources: Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1251-
1377] (Section 404, Section 401, Section 319); Land and Water
Conservation Fund (LWCF) [16 U.S.C. 4601-4604]; Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) [42 U.S.C. 300(f)-300(j)(6)]; Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 [33
U.S.C. 401-406]; Wild and Scenic Rivers Act [16 U.S.C. 1271-1287];
Emergency Wetlands Resources Act [16 U.S.C. 3921, 3931]; TEA-21
Wetlands Mitigation [23 U.S.C. 103(b)(6)(m), 133(b)(11)]; Flood
Disaster Protection Act [42 U.S.C. 4001-4128].
8. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990 Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988
Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898 Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations; E.O. 11593 Protection and Enhancement of Cultural
Resources; E.O. 13007 Indian Sacred Sites; E.O. 13287 Preserve America;
E.O. 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments; E.O. 11514 Protection and Enhancement of Environmental
Quality; E.O. 13112 Invasive Species. (Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction.)
The projects subject to this notice are:
1. IH 30 from 0.28 mile east of FM 2642 to 0.57 mile west of SH 34
in Hunt County, Texas. The purpose of the project is to improve
mobility and safety by widening the existing facility from two lanes in
each direction to three lanes in each direction, increasing inside and
outside shoulder width from four to ten feet, separating main lanes
with a four-foot-wide concrete barrier, and converting frontage roads
from two-way to one-way. The proposed project would extend for
approximately 13.65 miles. The actions by TxDOT and Federal agencies
and the laws under which such actions were taken are described in the
Categorical Exclusion Determination issued on March 22, 2022, and other
documents in the TxDOT project file. The Categorical Exclusion
Determination and other documents in the TxDOT project file are
available by contacting the TxDOT Paris District Office at 1365 N Main
St., Paris, TX 75460; telephone: (903) 737-9200.
2. Realignment of IH 35W northbound mainlanes from CR 604/CR 707 to
US 67 within the city of Alvarado and in Johnson County, Texas. The
closed left-hand exit from southbound IH 35W mainlanes to BUS 35W
(North Parkway Drive) would be removed. A northbound frontage road
between US 67 and BUS 35W would be added, and the existing frontage
road from BUS 35W to CR 604/CR 707 would be converted from two-way to a
one-way frontage road. This would provide a continuous, one-way
frontage road from US 67 to the CR 604/CR 707 intersection. Existing
BUS 35W would be realigned to a T-intersection at the proposed
northbound frontage road. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations would
be part of the project. The proposed project is approximately 1.15
miles long, and proposed improvements would occur within existing ROW.
The actions by TxDOT and Federal agencies and the laws under which such
actions were taken are described in the Categorical Exclusion
Determination issued on March 24, 2002, and other documents in the
TxDOT project file. The Categorical Exclusion
[[Page 52428]]
Determination and other documents in the TxDOT project file are
available by contacting the TxDOT Fort Worth District Office at 2501 SW
Loop 820, Fort Worth TX, 76133; telephone: (817) 370-6772.
3. IH 27 Expansion project from north of Western Street to the US
87/US 60 interchange in Randall County, Texas. This project begins just
north of the Western Street bridge extending approximately 10 miles
south to just south of the US 87/US 60 interchange north of Canyon and
will increase roadway capacity. The project will include adding a third
inside travel lane on IH 27 in both directions with a concrete traffic
barrier between northbound and southbound lanes, frontage road
improvements and ramp realignments, and bicycle and pedestrian
accommodations. Improvements at major arterials will require additional
right-of-way totaling 10.4 acres. IH 27 improvements will also include
reconstruction of the Western Street, Hillside Road, and Bell Street
interchanges and overpass conversions at the Sundown Lane, FM 2219
(Lair Road), and Rockwell Road interchanges to put the IH 27 roadway
over the intersecting arterial. The actions by TxDOT and Federal
agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken are described
in the Categorical Exclusion Determination issued on April 13, 2022,
and other documents in the TxDOT project file. The Categorical
Exclusion Determination and other documents in the TxDOT project file
are available by contacting the TxDOT Amarillo District Office at 5715
Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79110; telephone: (806) 570-6301.
4. Talley Road from Wiseman Boulevard to Tamaron Pass in Bexar
County, Texas. The project includes expanding the existing roadway from
two to four lanes with a continuous center turn lane and constructing
sidewalks along the entire length of the project. The project is
approximately 2.44 miles in length. The actions by TxDOT and Federal
agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken are described
in the Categorical Exclusion Determination issued on April 18, 2022,
and other documents in the TxDOT project file. The Categorical
Exclusion Determination and other documents in the TxDOT project file
are available by contacting the TxDOT San Antonio District Office at
4615 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229; telephone: (210) 615-5839.
5. I Road from Rancho Blanco Road to US 281 (Military Highway) in
Hidalgo County, Texas. The purpose of the project is to improve safety
and mobility by widening and reconstructing I Road to a 50-foot-wide
roadway with two 11-foot-wide travel lanes, a 12-foot-wide continuous
center turn lane, 8-foot-wide shoulders, and 10-foot-wide shared use
path, including left-turn lanes at seven intersecting cross streets.
The proposed project length is approximately 4.1 miles. The actions by
TxDOT and Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were
taken are described in the Categorical Exclusion Determination issued
on May 6, 2022, and other documents in the TxDOT project file. The
Categorical Exclusion Determination and other documents in the TxDOT
project file are available by contacting the TxDOT Pharr District
Office 600 W Expressway 2, Pharr, TX 78577; telephone: (956) 702-6100.
6. SH 123 from Cordova Lane to IH 10 in Guadalupe County, Texas.
The project will expand SH 123 from a two-lane road to a four-lane
divided highway. It also includes shoulders, curbs, and sidewalks. The
project is approximately 2.5 miles in length. The actions by TxDOT and
Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken are
described in the Categorical Exclusion Determination issued on May 20,
2022, and other documents in the TxDOT project file. The Categorical
Exclusion Determination and other documents in the TxDOT project file
are available by contacting the TxDOT San Antonio District Office at
4615 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229; telephone: (210) 615-5839.
7. John Hayes Street Extension from Pellicano Drive to Montwood
Drive in El Paso County, Texas. The proposed project would include
extension of the existing John Hayes Street to Pellicano Drive and
widening the existing John Hayes Street to a six-lane divided facility
within a 125-foot right-of-way for a total of 3 miles. The proposed
project would also include pedestrian, bicycle, shared use path
improvements, and drainage improvements. The general purpose of the
project is to extend and improve the existing John Hayes Street. The
actions by TxDOT and Federal agencies and the laws under which such
actions were taken are described in the Categorical Exclusion
Determination issued on May 24, 2022, and other documents in the TxDOT
project file. The Categorical Exclusion Determination and other
documents in the TxDOT project file are available by contacting the
TxDOT El Paso District Office at 13301 Gateway Blvd. West, EL Paso,
Texas 79928; telephone: Lauren Macias-Cervantes at (915) 790-4341 or
Jennifer Wright at (915) 790-4340.
8. IH 10 from FM 2434 to United States Highway US 90 (Alleyton Road
South) in Colorado County, Texas. TxDOT proposes to reconstruct and
widen IH 10 from FM 2434 to US 90 (Alleyton Road South) in Columbus.
Additionally, the IH 10 bridge crossing the Colorado River would be
replaced and realigned. The proposed project is approximately 5.6 miles
in length, passing through the City of Columbus and the unincorporated
communities of Glidden and Alleyton. The purpose of the project is to
meet local and regional future travel demands by increasing capacity,
improving the safety of the roadway by correcting design deficiencies
and upgrading the facility to meet current design standards, and
improving the hurricane evacuation route on IH 10. The actions by TxDOT
and Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken
are described in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), the Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) issued on March 15, 2022, and other
documents in the TxDOT project file. The EA, FONSI and other documents
in the TxDOT project file are available by contacting the TxDOT Yoakum
District Office at 403 Huck St., Yoakum, Texas 77995; telephone: (361)
293-4436.
9. Loop 1604 from FM 78 to IH 10E in Bexar County, Texas. The
project will convert Loop 1604 from a four-lane divided highway to a
four-lane expressway between FM 78 and IH 10E. The project also
includes frontage roads, entrance/exit ramps and pedestrian facilities.
The project is approximately six miles in length. The actions by TxDOT
and Federal agencies and the laws under which such actions were taken
are described in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), the Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) issued on May 24, 2022, and other
documents in the TxDOT project file. The EA, FONSI and other documents
in the TxDOT project file are available by contacting the TxDOT San
Antonio District Office at 4615 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229;
telephone: (210) 615-5839.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1)
Michael T. Leary,
Director, Planning and Program Development, Federal Highway
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-18367 Filed 8-24-22; 8:45 am]
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