[Federal Register: October 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 202)]
[Notices]               
[Page 59980-59981]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20oc03-78]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 
Environmental Impact Statement: Mobile and Baldwin Counties, AL

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed 
highway project in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, Alabama.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Joe D. Wilkerson, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 500 Eastern Blvd., Suite 
200, Montgomery, Alabama 36177, Telephone: (334) 223-7370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA in cooperation with the Alabama 
Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will prepare an environment impact 
statement on a proposal to increase the capacity of Interstate Route 10 
at Mobile by constructing a new six-lane bridge across the Mobile River 
at Mobile and

[[Page 59981]]

widening the existing bridges across Mobile Bay from four to eight 
lanes.
    Interstate Route 10 now goes under the Mobile River in a four-lane 
tunnel and crosses Mobile Bay on two, two-lane bridges, each seven mile 
long bridges. Existing and predicted traffic volumes require that 
additional capacity on I-10 across the Mobile River and Mobile Bay be 
added. Currently, vehicles transporting flammables, corrosives, and 
explosives are prohibited from using the I-10 tunnel, which requires 
these hazardous materials to be transported along a circuitous route 
along a surface street, part of I-165, a bridge over the Mobile River, 
and a segment of a noncontrolled-access State route.
    An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the project 
which essentially evaluated a single alignment. The alignment evaluated 
in the EA emerged from a Feasibility Study for a Mobile River I-10 
Bridge, which was completed in 1997 for the South Alabama Regional 
Planning Commission. The proposed design for the new bridge provides 
190 feet of vertical clearance with a 1,250-foot span over the Mobile 
River ship channel.
    Because of concerns relating to visual impacts of the bridge on 
historic properties, including a National Register Landmark structure 
(Old City Hall), it has been decided to prepare an EIS which will 
include reevaluation of all three alignments included in the 
feasibility study.
    Alternatives under consideration are no build and adding capacity 
by constructing a six-lane bridge across the Mobile River, which will 
tie or merge with the existing I-10 bridges across Mobile Bay, and 
widening the current Mobile Bay bridges from four to eight lanes. Three 
build alternates were considered in a feasibility study performed for 
the project. All three alternates will be further evaluated in the 
development of the EIS.
    The prior EA process included two public involvement meetings, 
meetings with local historic interests, resource agencies, a Bridge 
Aesthetic Design Workshop, a neighborhood workshop, and two public 
hearings. Early coordination letters were sent to resource agencies, 
tribes, and interested parties. The EA was also distributed to 
interested parties.
    Cooperating agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers.
    New early coordination letters, two additional public involvement 
meetings, and two public hearings are proposed at this time. The 
existing, cooperating agencies will be requested to maintain that 
status for the EIS.
    During the evaluation of effect on historic properties, an adverse 
effect was determined for several properties including the Old City 
Hall. Therefore, coordination with the Department of Interior, the 
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the State Historic 
Preservation Officer (Alabama Historic Commission) is required. Also, 
the National Trust on Historic Preservation and the Mobile Historic 
Commission requested to be consulting parties during the EA process. 
That coordination will continue during the EIS process.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to this project are 
addressed and that all significant issues identified, comments and 
suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the FHWA at the address provided above.

(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.)

Joe D. Wilkerson,
Division Administrator, Montgomery, Alabama.
[FR Doc. 03-26342 Filed 10-17-03; 8:45 am]

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