Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; US 41 Interstate Conversion Plan, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Dodge, Fond Du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie and Brown Counties, WI

Topics:  Federal Highway Administration

Tracey Blankenship
Federal Register
July 26, 2011

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44648-44649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18818]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; US 
41 Interstate Conversion Plan, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Dodge, 
Fond Du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie and Brown Counties, WI

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
Tier I

[[Page 44649]]

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed 
interstate conversion of U.S. Highway 41 in Milwaukee, Waukesha, 
Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie, and Brown 
Counties, Wisconsin by WisDOT in conformance with 40 CFR part 1500 and 
the FHWA regulations.
    The Project: The FHWA, in cooperation with the WisDOT, will prepare 
a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to convert 
U.S. Highway 41 (US 41) in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Dodge, Fond 
du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie, and Brown Counties, Wisconsin, 
approximately 142 miles in length, from a principal arterial on the 
National Highway System to an Interstate Highway (IH). Under Sections 
1304(b) and (c) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, 
Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) the 142-mile 
U.S. Highway 41 corridor between Interstate Route 94 via Interstate 
Route 894 and Highway 45 near Milwaukee and Interstate Route 43 near 
Green Bay was designated as a High Priority Corridor on the National 
Highway System and further, as a future part of the Interstate System. 
U.S. Highway 41 may be added to the Interstate System at such time as 
the Secretary determines that the segment meets the Interstate design 
standards in 23 U.S.C. 109(b).
    The proposed project is intended to address the requirements 
necessary to obtain FHWA concurrence to convert U.S. Highway 41 from a 
principal arterial to an Interstate Highway and officially sign the 
corridor as an Interstate facility. Improvements to upgrade the present 
US 41 corridor to interstate highway standards will be described in the 
Tier 1 EIS. The proposed improvements are intended to be 
environmentally sound.
    The proposed Tier 1 EIS project is intended to consider cumulative 
and indirect environmental impacts of the proposed IH system 
designation, including alternatives development and analysis. The Tier 
1 environmental document will also inventory and document existing 
geometric, safety, operational and planning features, review existing 
geometric and safety standards and operational policy and standards, 
and determine the existing corridor's deficiencies as an Interstate 
facility. The Tier 1 EIS will be completed to a Record of Decision 
indicating a broad strategy for upgrading the existing corridor to IH 
standards.
    A scoping process will be initiated that involves all appropriate 
federal and state agencies. This will continue throughout the study as 
an ongoing process. A public information effort will be initiated in 
fall 2011 to include those agencies, local agencies, and private 
organizations and citizens who have previously expressed, or are known 
to have, interest in this proposal. This effort will also inform the 
public living in the study area. Public information meetings will be 
held across the study area to engage the regional community in the 
decision-making process and obtain public comment. In addition, public 
hearings will be held to present the findings of the Tier 1 EIS. Public 
notice will be given concerning the time and place of the informational 
meetings and public hearings. The Tier 1 EIS will be available for 
public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearings.
    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 Tier 1 EIS should be 
directed to FHWA or the Wisconsin Department of Transportation at the 
addresses provided under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
(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.)


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Blankenship, Major Projects 
Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 525 Junction Road, 
Suite 8000, Madison, WI 53717; Telephone: (608) 829-7500. You may also 
contact Tammy Rabe, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 944 
Vanderperren Way, Green Bay, WI 54324; Telephone: 920-492-5661.

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the 
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661 by using a computer modem and suitable communications 
software. Internet users may reach the Office of Federal Register's 
home page at: http://www.archives.gov/ and the Government Printing 
Office's database at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.

    Authority:  23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: July 20, 2011.
Tracey Blankenship,
Major Projects Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 
Madison, Wisconsin.
[FR Doc. 2011-18818 Filed 7-25-11; 8:45 am]
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