Notice of Intent for Interstate 55 Interchange in Shelby County, Tennessee, 52537 [2015-21455]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Notice of Intent for Interstate 55 Interchange in Shelby County, Tennessee Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that a limited scope supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) will be prepared to determine construction phasing impacts for the Interstate 55 (I– 55) Interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard and South Boulevard project in the City of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Claxton, Planning and Program Management Team Leader, Tennessee Division, Federal Highway Administration, 404 BNA Drive, Suite 508, Nashville, TN 37217, telephone: 615–781–5770. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FHWA, in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), prepared a Draft EIS (DEIS) and a Final EIS (FEIS) for proposed improvements to the I–55 interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard in the City of Memphis. The DEIS was approved on March 25, 2009. The FEIS was approved on June 28, 2011. The FEIS examined four alternatives in detail. On January 25, 2012, FHWA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) identifying the Selected Alternative and the reasons for its selection. The Selected Alternative consists of replacing the existing cloverleaf interchange with a new interchange configuration that will provide through lanes for mainline I–55 traffic, eliminating the need for interstate traffic to utilize single-lane, low speed ramps in order to continue on I–55. A new multi-lane roundabout interchange will be constructed, replacing the existing cloverleaf interchange, providing improved access to and from I–55 and existing local roadways. The FEIS and ROD are available for review on the project Web site at https:// www.tn.gov/tdot/article/i-55-crump. Since the issuance of the ROD, TDOT has taken several major steps to advance the project towards construction. Based on a constructability review, TDOT became aware that a total closure of the I–55 bridge over the Mississippi River (Memphis-Arkansas Bridge) may be tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Aug 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 necessary. During this possible closure, traffic would be detoured to the I–40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge. A second constructability review determined that this closure could be up to 9 months. The impacts of a total closure of the I– 55 bridge for up to nine months had not been evaluated in the ROD and therefore TDOT agreed to further explore the proposed construction phasing of the project via a reevaluation of the EIS. The reevaluation process involved additional studies on traffic, emergency services, and socioeconomic impacts and a public involvement process. TDOT held public meetings in both West Memphis, Arkansas and in Memphis, Tennessee to gather comments and concerns voiced by regional stakeholders and solicited written input through an on-line survey. Through this process, TDOT, in coordination with FHWA, determined that the proposed construction phasing would result in potentially significant impacts not previously assessed and disclosed in the EIS. Therefore, TDOT concluded the Reevaluation with the determination that a Limited Scope Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) should be undertaken. The analysis of impacts relating to construction phasing, and any potential changes to the construction phasing that may result, will not change the design or location of the alternatives under consideration or previous environmental studies, impacts or proposed mitigation committed to in the project Record of Decision. The scope of the SEIS will be limited to the social, economic, and environmental effects of the construction phasing for the I–55 Interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard. The SEIS process will include an invitation letter sent to potential cooperating agencies, participating agencies, and Section 106 consulting parties inviting the agencies to officially take part in the SEIS process. One or more public hearings will be held to solicit public input. In addition, a formal comment period for the public and agencies will be provided following the publication of the Draft SEIS. Written and verbal comments on the Draft SEIS will be taken by mail and at the public hearings. Public notice will be given on the time and place of the future public hearings. The comments received will be responded to in the Final SEIS. Questions concerning this proposed closure and the SEIS should be directed to Steve Chipman, Project Manager, Tennessee Department of Transportation, 300 Benchmark Place, Jackson, TN 38301, telephone 731–935– 0157. PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52537 Dated: August 24, 2015. Pamela M. Kordenbrock, Division Administrator, Nashville, TN. [FR Doc. 2015–21455 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Sunshine Act Meetings; Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors Meeting. AGENCY: The meetings will be held on September 17, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and September 18, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All meetings will take place in the Mountain Daylight Time Zone as described below. PLACE: The meetings will be open to the public at the SpringHill Suites Marriott, 6325 North Cloverdale, Boise, ID 83713 and via conference call. Those not attending the meetings in person may call 1–877–422–1931, passcode 2855443940, to listen and participate in the meetings. STATUS: Open to the public. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors (the Board) will continue its work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement and to that end, may consider matters properly before the Board. TIME AND DATE: Mr. Avelino Gutierrez, Chair, Unified Carrier Registration Board of Directors at (505) 827–4565. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Issued on: August 20, 2015. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator, Office of Policy, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. [FR Doc. 2015–21590 Filed 8–27–15; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. AB 55 (Sub-No. 744X)] CSX Transportation, Inc.— Abandonment Exemption—in Edgar County, Ill. CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), has filed a verified notice of exemption E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 52537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21455]



[[Page 52537]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Notice of Intent for Interstate 55 Interchange in Shelby County, 
Tennessee

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that a limited scope supplemental 
environmental impact statement (SEIS) will be prepared to determine 
construction phasing impacts for the Interstate 55 (I-55) Interchange 
at E.H. Crump Boulevard and South Boulevard project in the City of 
Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Claxton, Planning and Program 
Management Team Leader, Tennessee Division, Federal Highway 
Administration, 404 BNA Drive, Suite 508, Nashville, TN 37217, 
telephone: 615-781-5770.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FHWA, in cooperation with the Tennessee 
Department of Transportation (TDOT), prepared a Draft EIS (DEIS) and a 
Final EIS (FEIS) for proposed improvements to the I-55 interchange at 
E.H. Crump Boulevard in the City of Memphis. The DEIS was approved on 
March 25, 2009. The FEIS was approved on June 28, 2011. The FEIS 
examined four alternatives in detail. On January 25, 2012, FHWA issued 
a Record of Decision (ROD) identifying the Selected Alternative and the 
reasons for its selection. The Selected Alternative consists of 
replacing the existing cloverleaf interchange with a new interchange 
configuration that will provide through lanes for mainline I-55 
traffic, eliminating the need for interstate traffic to utilize single-
lane, low speed ramps in order to continue on I-55. A new multi-lane 
roundabout interchange will be constructed, replacing the existing 
cloverleaf interchange, providing improved access to and from I-55 and 
existing local roadways.
    The FEIS and ROD are available for review on the project Web site 
at https://www.tn.gov/tdot/article/i-55-crump.
    Since the issuance of the ROD, TDOT has taken several major steps 
to advance the project towards construction. Based on a 
constructability review, TDOT became aware that a total closure of the 
I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River (Memphis-Arkansas Bridge) may be 
necessary. During this possible closure, traffic would be detoured to 
the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge. A second constructability review 
determined that this closure could be up to 9 months. The impacts of a 
total closure of the I-55 bridge for up to nine months had not been 
evaluated in the ROD and therefore TDOT agreed to further explore the 
proposed construction phasing of the project via a reevaluation of the 
EIS. The reevaluation process involved additional studies on traffic, 
emergency services, and socioeconomic impacts and a public involvement 
process. TDOT held public meetings in both West Memphis, Arkansas and 
in Memphis, Tennessee to gather comments and concerns voiced by 
regional stakeholders and solicited written input through an on-line 
survey.
    Through this process, TDOT, in coordination with FHWA, determined 
that the proposed construction phasing would result in potentially 
significant impacts not previously assessed and disclosed in the EIS. 
Therefore, TDOT concluded the Reevaluation with the determination that 
a Limited Scope Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 
should be undertaken.
    The analysis of impacts relating to construction phasing, and any 
potential changes to the construction phasing that may result, will not 
change the design or location of the alternatives under consideration 
or previous environmental studies, impacts or proposed mitigation 
committed to in the project Record of Decision. The scope of the SEIS 
will be limited to the social, economic, and environmental effects of 
the construction phasing for the I-55 Interchange at E.H. Crump 
Boulevard.
    The SEIS process will include an invitation letter sent to 
potential cooperating agencies, participating agencies, and Section 106 
consulting parties inviting the agencies to officially take part in the 
SEIS process. One or more public hearings will be held to solicit 
public input. In addition, a formal comment period for the public and 
agencies will be provided following the publication of the Draft SEIS. 
Written and verbal comments on the Draft SEIS will be taken by mail and 
at the public hearings. Public notice will be given on the time and 
place of the future public hearings. The comments received will be 
responded to in the Final SEIS.
    Questions concerning this proposed closure and the SEIS should be 
directed to Steve Chipman, Project Manager, Tennessee Department of 
Transportation, 300 Benchmark Place, Jackson, TN 38301, telephone 731-
935-0157.

    Dated: August 24, 2015.
Pamela M. Kordenbrock,
Division Administrator, Nashville, TN.
[FR Doc. 2015-21455 Filed 8-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

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