Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway Projects in Texas, 52427-52428 [2022-18367]

Agencies

• Federal Highway Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[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: 
[email protected]. 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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