73 FR 119 pg. 34979 - Environmental Impact Statement: Bristol County, MA
Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 119Page: 34979
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-13495 Filed 6-18-08; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Highway Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement: Bristol County, MA
AGENCY:
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION:
Cancellation of the Notice of Intent.
SUMMARY:
This notice rescinds the previous Notice of Intent (issued October 9, 1985) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed bridge replacement project-the Elm St and Center St (Berkley-Dighton) Bridge over the Taunton River-in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John McVann, Field Operations Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration, Massachusetts Division Office, 55 Broadway, 10th floor, Cambridge, MA 02142, Telephone: (617) 494-2521-or-Diane Madden, Sr. Project Manager, Massachusetts Highway Department, Environmental Services, 10 Park Plaza, Room 4260, Boston, MA 02116, Telephone (617) 973-7477.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The proposed project has changed dramatically from the mid-1980s when FHWA determined that except for the historical aspects of the project the proposed action would be classified as a categorical exclusion. Early proposals including new fixed bridges over 20' in height on northern or southern alignment, negatively impacting the adjacent Bridge Village National Register-eligible Historic District. In 2000, noting extensive changes in the district close to the bridge, FHWA concurred with a MassHighway petition to de-list the district, which was later redrawn, retaining the bridge as a contributing element. Early in 2006, MassHighway presented its current proposal to acclaim, proposing to replace the bridge on its existing alignment, providing a Temporary Bridge on southern alignment to allow public safety mutual aid and vehicular travel. The proposed fixed bridge will be 7 feet taller than the existing movable bridge in closed position. This proposal reduces impacts to the surrounding area, including the re-drawn Bridge Village National Register-eligible Historic District. For these reasons, FHWA believes that the proper class of action for the current proposal is a Categorical Exclusion.
Richard J. Marquis,
Assistant FHWA Division Administrator, Cambridge, MA.
[FR Doc. E8-13495 Filed 6-18-08; 8:45 am]
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