Federal Highway Administration Issues “Record of Decision” for Circ A/B BoulevardThe Federal Highway Administration has approved the Circ A/B Boulevard to connect I-89 in Williston with VT 117/VT 289 in Essex, including a new bridge crossing of the Winooski River. FHWA’s issuance of the Record of Decision completes the new National Environmental Policy Act review process for the project that began in 2004 and clears the way for VTrans to proceed with final design, permitting, property acquisition and construction of the Circ A/B Boulevard. In its Record of Decision, FHWA states that transportation performance, consistency with local and regional plans, environmental and community impacts and the comments of the public and other agencies were all factors in the decision to select the Circ A/B Boulevard over other alternatives considered in the environmental review process. The Circ A/B Boulevard offers the best balance of addressing the congestion, safety and mobility needs of the area, while minimizing environmental and community impacts. To compensate for the unavoidable impacts of the Circ A/B Boulevard, the Record of Decision mitigation commitments include the protection of approximately 560 acres of wetlands and wildlife habitat, as well as stream restoration improvements along a section of Allen Brook in Williston that is experiencing erosion issues. Since the EIS process began, more than 1,000 people have attended public meetings and workshops and 38 meetings have been held with other federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Other permits are needed before construction of the Circ A/B Boulevard can begin, including a Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Gov. Peter Shumlin outlines proposal for Circumferential Highway – May 20, 2011 Federal Highway Administration Issues “Record of Decision” for Circ A/B Boulevard – May 19, 2011 US Environmental Protection Agency letter – May 9, 2011
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