Environmental Impact Statement; Bronx County, NY

Peter W. Osborn
Federal Highway Administration
22 May 2017

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 97 (Monday, May 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23485-23486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10260]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Bronx County, NY

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 
construction project known as the Hunts Point Interstate Access 
Improvement Project, in Bronx County, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harold Fink, Deputy Chief Engineer, 
New York State Department of Transportation, Hunters Point Plaza 47-40 
21st Street, Long Island City, New York 11101, Telephone: (718) 482-
4683; or Peter W. Osborn, Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, New York Division, Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, 7th 
Floor, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12207, 
Telephone: (518) 431-4127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York 
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National

[[Page 23486]]

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on a proposal to improve access between 
the Hunts Point Peninsula and the Sheridan and Bruckner Expressways (I-
895 and I-278).
    The Hunts Point Peninsula is located in the South Bronx, New York, 
and is home to the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, the largest 
food distribution facility in the nation. The Hunts Point Peninsula is 
also home to many industrial and commercial properties outside of the 
food distribution center. There is also a residential area in the 
northeastern portion of the peninsula. To access the food distribution 
center, vehicles must exit the interstate highway network and use local 
streets. The needs for the project are to improve access to and from 
the Hunts Point Peninsula and the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center/
commercial establishments, to address the existing non-standard 
geometric features of the Bruckner/Sheridan Interchange to improve 
operations, and to address infrastructure deficiencies on the Bruckner 
Expressway viaduct and ramps and truss bridge carrying westbound 
Bruckner Expressway and Bruckner Boulevard over Amtrak.
    The purpose of the project is to provide improved access between 
the Hunts Point Peninsula and the Sheridan and Bruckner Expressways for 
automobiles and trucks traveling to and from the commercial businesses 
located on the peninsula. In addition, the project will address 
structural and operational deficiencies related to the existing 
infrastructure within the established project limits.
    A reasonable range of alternatives is currently being developed and 
will be refined during the NEPA scoping process in consideration of 
agency and public comments received.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to Cooperating and Participating Agencies. Public and agency 
outreach will include a formal public scoping meeting, a public 
hearing, and meetings with Cooperating and Participating Agencies. 
Public notice will be given of the date, time, and location of the 
scoping meeting and hearing. To assist in determining the scope of 
issues to be addressed and identifying the significant issues related 
to the proposed action, the general public will have the opportunity to 
submit written comments at the scoping meeting and during a scoping 
comment period. The draft EIS will be available for public and agency 
review and comment prior to the public hearing.
    Comments or questions concerning this proposed action should be 
directed to the NYSDOT and FHWA at the addresses provided above.

    Issued on: May 8, 2017.
Peter W. Osborn,
Division Administrator, Albany, New York.
[FR Doc. 2017-10260 Filed 5-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-22-P