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US-59 Final Environmental Impact Statement Available for Review

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Contacts: Carl Hill, (785) 296-6580
Marty Matthews, (785) 296-3585

US-59 Final Environmental Impact Statement Available for Review

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announce that the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for US-59 between Ottawa and Lawrence is available for public review. People interested in making comments on the FEIS findings will have until January 24, 2003 to send comments to KDOT.

Copies of the FEIS are available for public inspection at several area locations. Copies of the FEIS will be available until January 24, 2003 at the following locations during their regular business hours:

• Ottawa City Public Works Department, 101 S. Hickory, Ottawa
• Franklin County Public Works Department, 1428 S. Main, No. 4, Ottawa
• Ottawa Public Library, 105 S. Hickory, Ottawa
• Douglas County Public Works Office, 1242 Massachusetts, Lawrence
• Lawrence Public Works Department, 6 S.E. Sixth Street , Lawrence
• Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont, Lawrence
• Baldwin City Library, 800 Seventh Street, Baldwin City
• Kansas Department of Transportation, Bureau of Design, Ninth Floor, Docking State Office Building, 915 S.W. Harrison, Topeka
• Federal Highway Administration, 3300 South Topeka Blvd., Topeka

The release of the FEIS and the subsequent comment period is the next step before the final decision is made concerning the location of the highway. The FEIS is a compilation of studies concerning the effects that the proposed highway alignments could have on social, environmental, and economic characteristics of the project area. Following the review period, a Record of Decision (ROD) will be prepared by the FHWA. The ROD will specify the selected alternative and will explain the reasons for the selection.

The preferred alternative begins at I-35 approximately one-mile northeast of K-68. Then it extends northwesterly toward existing US-59, then goes north along the existing US-59, approximately 300 feet on the east side, to just south of Pleasant Grove where it veers east around Pleasant Grove and then back to the west to connect back into the existing four-lane section of US-59 south of Lawrence. Interchanges to access the freeway will be located at major side roads. Selected county roads will be carried over or under the new freeway and some county roads will be closed.

Persons wanting to comment on the FEIS are invited to do so in writing anytime during the comment period. Comments must be postmarked no later than January 24, 2003. Address correspondence to: Carl Hill, Public Involvement Liaison, Kansas Department of Transportation, Docking State Office Building, 7th Floor, 915 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66612.