Federal Highway Administration October 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to section 658.11 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, the Indiana Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announces the continued closure of the I-64 Sherman-Minton Bridge over the Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky which the Indiana Governor closed on September 9, 2011, for safety considerations. After consultation with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), and the FHWA, it was recommended that the bridge be closed after the discovery of a crack in a critical load-carrying element of the bridge. The closure is for an indefinite period of time. The INDOT is detouring eastbound I-64 traffic onto I-265 eastbound to I-65 southbound to cross the Ohio River and rejoin I-64 eastbound in Kentucky. The KYTC is detouring westbound I-64 traffic, bound for destinations beyond Louisville, onto northbound I-264 (or I-265) to southbound I-71 to northbound I-65 to cross the Ohio River and follow the Indiana detour. Under title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 658.11 (Additions, deletions, exceptions, and restrictions), the FHWA can grant the closing of the Interstate system or other National Network route based upon specified justification criteria in section 658.11(d)(2). The FHWA is also authorized to delete any route from the National Network on an emergency basis based on safety considerations pursuant to section 658.11(e). The FHWA has decided to approve the request by the Indiana Division of the FHWA as an emergency deletion in accordance with section 658.11(e) due to the safety considerations discussed in this notice. The FHWA is requesting comments from the general public on the alternate routes selected by Indiana due to the closure.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, US 41 (Memorial Drive to County M) in Brown County, Wisconsin. Those actions grant approvals for the project. The project will widen the US 41 freeway mainline from 4 to 6 lanes and add auxiliary lanes at certain locations along US 41 northbound and southbound from Memorial Drive to County M, The project will also reconstruct I-43 from US 41 to Atkinson Drive and reconstruct the Velp Avenue, I-43, and County M interchanges. The I-43/US 41 interchange will be reconstructed as a System Interchange with directional ramps and will include a realignment of the US 41 mainline, raising of the northbound gradeline, and elimination of existing access between Velp Avenue and I-43 via US 41. The project limits on US 41 extend from Memorial Drive to County M, a distance of approximately 3.5 miles and the project limits on I-43 extend from US 41 to Atkinson Drive, a distance of approximately 2 miles. The project also includes construction of roundabouts, construction of new bridges and replacement of existing bridges.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), District of Columbia Division and the District Department of Transportation are announcing the availability for public review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared for the I-395 Air Rights Projects in conjunction with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). The EA was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations; and the FHWA Environmental Impact and Related Procedures. The project is also being reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the EA includes a Section 106 Effects Assessment. Interested persons are invited to comment on both the EA and the Effects Assessment.

The FHWA, as lead agency, is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed infrastructure improvements for the Tappan Zee Hudson River crossing in Rockland and Westchester Counties, New York. The purpose of this revised NOI is to: Advise the public of FHWA serving lead agency; Provide information on the proposed project, purpose and need for the project, and alternatives to be considered; Invite participation in the EIS process, including comments on the scope of the EIS proposed in this notice; and Announce the date, times and locations of upcoming public briefings.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew two information collections, which are summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed multi-modal project (Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit) that addresses roadway and transit infrastructure needs in Utah County, State of Utah. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the NOI to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for proposed improvements to Loop 375 Border Highway West, in El Paso County, Texas, is being rescinded.