Environmental Impact Statement: Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois

Topics:  Federal Highway Administration

Norman R. Stoner
Federal Register
June 8, 2011

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 33401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14207]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration and Federal Aviation Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Cook and DuPage Counties, 
Illinois

AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), DOT

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

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SUMMARY: The FHWA and FAA are issuing this notice to advise the public 
that a Tier Two Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the 
Elgin O'Hare--West Bypass in Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman R. Stoner, P.E., Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park 
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4600. Jim Keefer, 
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, 
Phone: (847) 294-7336. Diane M. O'Keefe, P.E., Deputy Director of 
Highways, Region One Engineer, Illinois Department of Transportation, 
201 West Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196, Phone: (847) 705-
4110.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA and FAA, in cooperation with the 
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), will prepare a Tier Two 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Elgin O'Hare--
West Bypass. The study area for the EIS is along the Elgin-O'Hare 
Expressway/Thorndale Avenue between Chicago O'Hare International 
Airport (O'Hare) and Lake Street/US Route 20, and on a proposed 
alignment connecting I-90 and I-294 along the west side of O'Hare. The 
Tier Two EIS will present further detail on the alternatives for the 
preferred transportation system concept that resulted from the Tier One 
EIS, an evaluation of the environmental impacts of the alternatives, 
and actions for mitigating project impacts to environmental resources.
    The primary environmental resources that may be affected are: 
residential, commercial, and industrial properties; streams and 
floodplains; wetlands; and open space. This project is being developed 
using the Illinois Department of Transportation's Context Sensitive 
Solutions policy. Alternatives to be evaluated will include (1) taking 
no action and (2) complete transportation system alternatives for the 
Tier One corridor that include consideration of design options, 
financing options, construction sequencing options, and the inclusion 
of transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
    The Tier One Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP), which met the 
SAFETEA-LU Coordination Plan requirements, will be updated to ensure 
that a full range of issues related to Tier Two of this project are 
identified and addressed. The SIP provides meaningful opportunities for 
all stakeholders to participate in defining transportation issues and 
solutions for the study area. The Web site established for this project 
(http://www.elginohare-westbypass.org) is one element of the project 
public involvement program.
    Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the Tier 
Two EIS are invited from all interested parties and should be directed 
to the FHWA at the address provided above. The Tier Two Draft EIS will 
be available for public and agency review after its publication. A 
public hearing will be held during the public comment period for the 
draft EIS. Public notice will be given of the time and place of public 
meetings and hearing. The Tier Two EIS will conclude with the selection 
of a preferred alternative documented in the Record of Decision.

(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).

James G. Keefer,
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Des Plaines, Illinois.

    Issued on: May 26, 2011.
Norman R. Stoner,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Springfield, 
Illinois.
[FR Doc. 2011-14207 Filed 6-7-11; 8:45 am]
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