Federal Highway Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FHWA is extending the deadline and comment period for materials related to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study, which were referenced in a notice published on November 29, 2013, at 78 FR 71707. The original meeting notice asked for comments by January 3, 2014. The extension is based on input received from DOT stakeholders that the January 3, 2014 closing date does not provide sufficient time for submission of comments to the Department. The FHWA agrees that the deadline and the comment period should be extended. Therefore, the closing date for submission of comments on the materials is extended to January 17, 2014. Late-filed comments received after this date will be considered to the fullest extent practicable until January 31, 2014. This will provide others interested in commenting additional time to submit comments while maintaining the schedule required to deliver this study to Congress within the required timeframe.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the United States Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as joint lead federal agencies and in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to evaluate the Route 460 Location Study Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and a Department of the Army Individual Permit (IP) Application. The purpose of this SEIS is to evaluate new information regarding the aquatic resource impacts to the preferred alternative described in the June 2008 FEIS and approved in the September 2008 Record of Decision (ROD). In addition, FHWA is evaluating proposed changes to the termini of the selected alternative and the proposed interchange at Route 620, and proposed changes to the selected alignment to avoid and minimize aquatic resource impacts. The USACE is preparing the document as part of its evaluation of the IP application submitted by U.S. Route 460 Mobility Partners (the Applicant) for the discharge of fill material into waters of the United States in conjunction with the construction of the Route 460 Corridor Improvements Project (Project).

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that FHWA will submit the collection of information described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 25, 2013. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden.

This notice announces two upcoming public meetings on the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study. The Transportation Research Board Committee for Review of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Truck Size and Weight Limits Study will hold a public meeting that will include presentations from DOT on the Desk Scans produced by the DOT MAP-21 Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study. The DOT will hold a second public outreach session to provide an update on the progress of the MAP-21 Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a partial Buy America waiver is appropriate for the obligation of Federal-aid Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program funds for the purchase of 378light, medium, and heavy duty plug-in battery electric and compressed natural gas vehicles by Chicago DOT.

FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on June 21, 2013. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This notice publishes the draft initial designation of the highway Primary Freight Network (PFN), which is established by the Secretary of Transportation as required by 23 U.S.C. 167(d), and provides information about designation of Critical Rural Freight Corridors (CRFC), which are designated by the States, and establishment of the National Freight Network (NFN), which combines the two, along with the portions of the Interstate System not designated as part of the highway PFN. This notice also solicits comments on the draft initial designation of the highway PFN and other critical aspects of the NFN. A notice published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2013 (78 FR 8686), introduced the process for designation of the highway PFN, NFN, and CRFCs.

The FHWA is issuing Interim Guidance on the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program (Interim Guidance). The Interim Guidance revises CMAQ Program Guidance issued in October 2008 (``2008 CMAQ Program Guidance'').\1\ The revisions in the Interim Guidance explain changes to the CMAQ Program as a result of the enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The Interim Guidance also contains changes to clarify the 2008 CMAQ Program Guidance. Because the Interim Guidance contains information needed for grantees to plan CMAQ-funded projects and use CMAQ funds during FY 2013, the Interim Guidance is effective on the date of the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. By this notice, the FHWA invites public comments on the changes contained in the Interim Guidance, which is available electronically at the docket established for this notice. The FHWA will consider all comments submitted to the Docket and will publish a notice of the availability of the resulting final guidance in the Federal Register.

This notice invites States, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), and local governments that intend to initiate or continue Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) development with their partners, such as arterial management agencies, tolling authorities, and transit authorities, to apply for deployment planning grants. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) authorized the FHWA to encourage Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployment on the national highway system through demonstrations and grant programs. The purpose of this program is to promote the integrated management and operations of the transportation system, thereby improving multimodal transportation system management and operations. This notice seeks applications for available funding for this program. This funding will be provided to cover a maximum of 80 percent of each proposed program/project. Total costs of each proposed program/ project should not exceed $200,000. Up to 10 awards are anticipated, but not guaranteed. Optional phase two: FHWA has the discretion to award additional funding to successful applicants to further advance their ICM concepts within the context of ICM deployment beyond the initial work product delivered.

FHWA is issuing this notice of intent to advise the public of its intent to adopt an existing Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the Council on Environment Quality regulations, 40 CFR 1506.3. The final EIS was prepared and approved by the US Army of Engineers, New Orleans District for LA 3241, I-12 to Bush Highway in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. The FEIS will be supplemented to include a noise analysis in accordance with 23 CFR part 772, a Section 4(f) evaluation in accordance with 23 CFR part 774, and an analysis of the effects resulting from a change in the location of the connection with LA 434.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. Sec. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, I-77 High Occupancy/Toll (HOT) lanes, from I-277 (Brookshire FreewayExit 11) to NC 150 (Exit 36), Mecklenburg and Iredell Counties, North Carolina. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the FHWA, the National Park Service (NPS), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS), and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. Sec. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to the Stehekin Valley Road Improvement project from the Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan in Chelan County, Washington. This action grants approval for the road improvement project element of the plan.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent published on May 1, 2007 to prepare an EIS for the proposed State Route 71, South Knoxville Boulevard (James White Parkway), from Governor John Sevier Highway (State Route 168) to Moody Avenue, Knox County, Tennessee, is being rescinded.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The FHWA is issuing this revised notice to advise the public that FHWA and NYSDOT will not be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed project to improve or relocate the Williamsville Toll Barrier in the counties of Erie and Genesee, New York (NYSDOT Project Identification Number: 5528.28). A Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2000.

The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed project to (1) manage congestion and traffic flow on I-90 between I-5 and I-405, which is in the Cross-Lake Washington Corridor, and (2) contribute revenue to the sustainable, long-term funding for timely completion of the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program and maintenance and future transportation improvements on I-90. The total length of the corridor is approximately seven (7) miles. The scoping period for this EIS is October 7, 2013 through November 6, 2013.

FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under Supplementary Information. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on March 5, 2013. 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 and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, State Highway 288, from (US) 59 south of downtown Houston, Harris County to County Road (CR) 60 in Brazoria County, Texas. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) joint procedures that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The revisions are prompted by enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This NPRM proposes to: add new categorical exclusions (CE) for FHWA and FTA, allow a State department of transportation (State DOT) to process certain CEs without FHWA's detailed project-by-project review and approval (as long as the action meets specified constraints), and allow Programmatic Agreements between FHWA and States that would permit States to apply FHWA CEs on FHWA's behalf. The FHWA and FTA seek comments on the proposals contained in this notice.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for re-use of historical bridge components for construction of Monon Trail Bridge over SR 25 in Indiana.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA, and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139 (l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, US 1 Improvements Rockingham, Richmond County, NC from Sandhill Road (SR 1971) to Marston Road (SR 1001). Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The FHWA proposes to update the existing value engineering (VE) regulations to make the regulations consistent with the statutory changes in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP- 21) and to make other non-substantive changes for clarity.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and the USFWS that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to proposed highway projects for a 21 mile segment of I-69 in the Counties of Monroe and Morgan, State of Indiana, and grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that we are rescinding the Notice of Intent (NOI) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed freeway improvements along Interstate 17 (I-17) from the I-10/Maricopa Traffic Interchange to State Route (SR) 101L (Loop 101) within Maricopa County, Arizona. A NOI to prepare an EIS for the I-17 Corridor Improvement Study was published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2010.

The FHWA has approved a request from the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) to temporarily close a portion of I-395 (just south of Conway Street in Baltimore City) from approximately 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2013, until approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. The closure is requested to accommodate the construction and operation of the Baltimore Grand Prix (BGP), which will use the streets of downtown Baltimore as a race course. The approval is granted in accordance with the provisions of 23 CFR 658.11 which authorizes the deletion of segments of the federally designated routes that make up the National Network designated in Appendix A of 23 CFR Part 658. The FHWA published a Notice and Request for Comment on May 13, 2013, seeking comments from the general public on this request submitted by the MDTA for a deletion in accordance with 23 CFR 658.11(d). No comments were received.