Environmental Impact Statement, Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Project (Rockland and Westchester Counties, New York)

Topics:  Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Interstate Highway System

Jonathan D. McDade
Federal Register
October 12, 2011

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 63346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26489]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Federal Transit Administration


Environmental Impact Statement, Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor 
Project (Rockland and Westchester Counties, New York)

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA), United States Department of Transportation 
(USDOT).

ACTION: Rescinded Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA and FTA are issuing this rescinded notice to advise 
the public that the FHWA and FTA will not be preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 
Corridor project involving approximately 30 miles of Interstate 287 
between Hillburn/Suffern, Rockland County, New York and Port Chester, 
Westchester County, New York including the Tappan Zee Bridge over the 
Hudson River. The Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor project considered 
alternatives for highway, bridge, and transit improvements along the 
30-mile Interstate 287 corridor. A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an 
Alternatives Analysis (AA) and EIS was published in the Federal 
Register on December 23, 2002. A Revised NOI to prepare a tiered EIS 
was published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael P. Anderson, Project Director, 
New York State Department of Transportation, 4 Burnett Boulevard, 
Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Telephone: 518-810-9864; Jonathan McDade, 
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; or Anthony Carr, Region II Acting Administrator, Federal Transit 
Administration, One Bowling Green, Room 429, New York, New York 10004, 
Telephone: (1212) 668-2170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 23, 2002, the FHWA and FTA, in 
cooperation with the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) and 
Metro-North Commuter Railroad, a subsidiary of the Metropolitan 
Transportation Authority (MTA/MNR) issued an Notice of Intent (NOI) to 
prepare an Alternatives Analysis (AA) and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the I-287 Corridor in Rockland and Westchester 
Counties, New York. The AA explored a number of options to rehabilitate 
or replace the Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River and to provide 
new transit service between Rockland and Westchester Counties with 
continuing service to New York City.
    In February 2008, FHWA and FTA issued a revised NOI to advise the 
public of lead agency roles; outline how the provisions of SAFETEA-LU 
6002 would be met; update interested parties regarding the approach to 
prepare and EIS; provide updated information on the proposed project, 
purpose and need; and range of alternatives; and re-invite 
participation in project scoping and announce the dates and announce 
the dates and times for public scoping meetings. The revised NOI 
announced that a Tiered EIS would be prepared to assess alternatives 
developed and advanced for further study. The Tiered EIS would include 
a Tier 1 transit analysis of general alignment and mode choice while 
simultaneously assessing site specific impacts, cost, and mitigation 
measures in a Tier 2 EIS for bridge and highway elements of the 
project. The February 14, 2008 NOI also identified the New York State 
Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) as another sponsoring agency for 
the NEPA review and the State project manager.
    Because of the current economic realities which severely limit 
financing capability, FHWA, NYSTA, and NYSDOT propose to terminate the 
Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Tiered EIS and advance a project that 
will address the needs of the Tappan Zee Hudson River crossing alone. 
Transit improvements will not be considered.
    The new project will be as analyzed in a new EIS that considers 
alternatives for the Hudson River crossing between Rockland and 
Westchester Counties, New York. Prior completed studies will be used to 
inform the new EIS process and all reasonable alternatives under 
consideration for the project would not preclude cross-Hudson commuter 
rail and bus rapid transit services in the future.
    FHWA and FTA will terminate efforts to secure a Tier 1 Record of 
Decision on the transit improvements, and would advance the corridor 
and transit improvements through appropriate planning and environmental 
studies in the future as circumstances and finances dictate. Any such 
future action will be progressed under a separate environmental review, 
in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

(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.)

    Issued on: September 26, 2011.
Jonathan D. McDade,
New York Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
Anthony Carr,
Region II Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-26489 Filed 10-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P