NOTICES
Findings
[46 Pa.B. 8256]
[Saturday, December 31, 2016]Under section 2002 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 512) establishing the Department of Transportation (Department), the Deputy Secretary of Highway Administration, as delegated by the Secretary of Transportation, makes the following written findings:
The Department is planning to construct the following listed projects. Environmental and Section 4(f) Documentation have been developed for the following identified projects to evaluate the potential environmental impacts caused by these projects. The Section 4(f) documents also serve as the Section 2002 Evaluation. The approved documents are available in the Categorical Exclusion Expert System at http://www.dotdom2.state.pa.us/ceea/ceeamain.nsf. The environmental, economic, social and other effects of the proposed projects have been considered. Based upon studies, there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the Section 2002 resources for the proposed identified projects, and all reasonable steps have been taken to minimize the effects.
• SR 0015 Section 155—Clinton Township, Lycoming County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0015 Bridge over Black Creek. Additional project activities include updating guiderail, improving drainage, and milling and overlaying the approaches.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on June 20, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on June 16, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The project will require approximately 0.03 acre of permanent right-of-way (ROW) acquisition from the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligible Eagle Grange No. 1 Hall Mill property. The project will not adversely affect the function/qualities of the Eagle Grange No. 1 Hall Mill property.
• SR 0023 Section 000—West Hempfield Township, Lancaster County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0023 Bridge over Chickies Creek. Additional project activities include updating guiderail, improving drainage, and milling and overlaying the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on April 18, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on February 26, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Fletcher-Drager Farm, eligible for listing on the NRHP, is located adjacent to the SR 0023 Bridge. The 81.6-acre farm is agriculturally significant with a period of significance from 1830 to 1960. The farmstead retains integrity of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association vividly illustrating its historical associations with mid-19th to mid-20th century diversified agriculture in Lancaster County. The new bridge will require approximately 0.07 acre of ROW from the Fletcher-Drager Farm to accommodate bridge and roadway widening and the wing walls. The area consists of agricultural fields located adjacent to the existing roadway. The Fletcher-Drager Farm will not be adversely affected as a result of this project.
• SR 0046 Section A03—Norwich Township, McKean County.
Project Description: The Department, through the P3 Rapid Bridge Replacement Project, proposes to replace the SR 0046, Section A03 (Emporium Road) Bridge over Havens Run in Norwich Township, McKean County on the existing alignment. The proposed project will replace the deteriorating structure, update guiderail, improve drainage and mill, and overlay the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE, approved on June 27, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Public Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and/or Waterfowl Refuges, State Forest Land and State Game Land, approved on June 10, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Due to the proposed widening of the SR 0046 structure, a sliver acquisition of 0.18 acre of State Game Lands (SGL) # 030 is needed to install the new bridge and widen the roadway. The existing conditions of the area proposed for acquisition consist primarily of wetland bordered by upland forest. In addition, a portion of the northern parking area access located in the southeast quadrant will be acquired. This parking area access will be reconstructed after construction. Access to the southern entrance of the parking area will remain open during construction. The proposed impacts are immediately adjacent to the roadway, and will not affect the overall access to the resource or the recreational activities, features and attributes that qualify SGL # 030 for protection.
• SR 0074 Section 000—Tyrone Township, Perry County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0074 Bridge over Montour Creek. Additional project activities include updating guiderail, improving drainage, and milling and overlaying the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on May 31, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on March 8, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Bernheisel Farm, eligible for listing on the NRHP, is located west of the Montour Creek Bridge. The property includes a dwelling, a barn, and several historic and modern agricultural outbuildings. It is significant for its association with the theme of agriculture for the period of 1806—1960. The Bernheisel Mill Complex, also eligible for listing on the NRHP, is located east of the Montour Creek Bridge. The property includes a mill, two dwellings, two barns, and several historic and modern domestic and agricultural outbuildings. It is significant in the area of industry for the period of significance from 1836—1908. Approximately 0.07 acre will be acquired from the Bernheisel Farm and approximately 0.009 acre will be acquired from the Bernheisel Mill Complex. Neither of these properties will be adversely affected by the proposed project.
• SR 0120 Section A16—Shippen Township, Cameron County.
Project Description: The Department, through the P3 Rapid Bridge Replacement Project proposes to replace the SR 0120, Section A16 (St. Mary's Emporium Road) Bridge over Big Run in Shippen Township, Cameron County on the existing alignment. The proposed project will replace the deteriorating structure, update guiderail, improve drainage, and mill and overlay the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on July 11, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Public Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and/or Waterfowl Refuges, State Forest Land and State Game Land, approved on July 5, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The portion of SGL # 014 that will be affected by the SR 0120, Section A16 structure replacement will be directly around the existing culvert in all four quadrants. Only sliver acquisitions around the culvert and immediately adjacent to the roadway are proposed in each of the four quadrants. Approximately 0.19 acre will be acquired from SGL # 014. The existing conditions of the areas proposed for acquisition and temporary construction easements consist primarily of herbaceous, riparian vegetation in the northwest and southeast quadrants, forested wetland in the northeast quadrant and emergent wetland in the southwest quadrant. In addition, a portion of a parking area access located in the northwest quadrant will be acquired. This parking area access will be reconstructed after construction. The proposed impacts are immediately adjacent to the roadway, and will not affect the overall access to the resource or the recreational activities, features and attributes that qualify SGL # 014 for protection.
• SR 0147 Section 110—Northumberland Borough, Northumberland County.
Project Description: The proposed project includes roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements and structure work improvements to the Water Street/Duke Street intersection and improvements to the Water Street/King Street intersection.
Environmental Documents: ED2, approved on June 6, 2016, including an Individual Section 2002 Evaluation dated May 26, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The proposed project will require the complete acquisition of a historic house (296 Water Street) that is a contributing resource to the NRHP listed Northumberland Historic District. Acquisition of this property will result in 0.117 acre being acquired from the Northumberland Historic District. There will also be a 0.002-acre strip take from another parcel contributing to the Northumberland Historic District.
• SR 0222 Section 01S—Macungie Township, Lehigh County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves safety and mobility improvements along SR 0222 (Hamilton Road). The project includes widening of just over 1 mile of SR 0222 (Hamilton Road) to include two through-lanes in each direction, as well as a two-way center turn lane. Also included in the project are several intersection improvements and two bridge replacements (SR 0222 and SR 3012).
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE, approved on April 4, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on March 18, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The project improvements will require 1.63 acre of ROW to accommodate the aforementioned roadway widening and 1.06 acre of perpetual drainage easement from the NRHP eligible Grim Seidel Farm. This area, totaling 2.69 acres, comprises approximately 1.9% of the property. The project will require 0.30 acre of ROW acquisition to accommodate the construction of a proposed cul-de-sac and stormwater management ditch from the NRHP eligible Edwin Gross house. This area comprises approximately 13.5% of the property. The project will also require approximately 0.44 acre of ROW from the Samuel Grim Historic District as a result of the reconfiguration of the intersection of Independent and Shantz Roads and installation of a stormwater management ditch and landscape restoration. The Section 4(f) properties will not be adversely affected by the proposed project.
• SR 0234 Section 000—Butler Township, Adams County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0234 Bridge over Opossum Creek. Additional project activities include updating guiderail, improving drainage, and milling and overlaying the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on May 31, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on April 5, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The John W. Dull Farm is eligible for listing on the NRHP for agricultural significance. There are six contributing buildings within the boundaries of the John W. Dull Farm including the circa-1856 primary dwelling, circa-1856 secondary dwelling (originally a summer kitchen), circa-1856 storage shed (likely a former springhouse), circa-1856 Pennsylvania barn, circa-1856 corncrib and circa-1856 hog house. The bridge project will require approximately 0.05 acre of permanent ROW acquisition from the John W. Dull Farm property. The proposed project will not adversely affect the Section 4(f) property.
• SR 0267 Section D50—Meshoppen Borough, Wyoming County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0267 Bridge over Little Meshoppen Creek. The project also includes guiderail updates, improved drainage and the mill, and overlay of the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on April 8, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Public Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and/or Waterfowl Refuges, State Forest Land and State Game Land, approved on February 25, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Meshoppen Borough Park, approximately 4.2 acres, contains a baseball field, dugouts, a pavilion, a small parking lot and vegetation. The park is significant in terms of meeting the recreational goals of Meshoppen Borough. The new bridge will require approximately 0.06 acre of ROW from the Meshoppen Borough Park. The land to be acquired will be directly around the existing bridge in an area of mostly vegetation. Access to the park will not be impacted by the bridge replacement. There is an existing chain link fence that will be removed and replaced, with guiderail. The project will not affect activities, features or attributes of the park that qualify it as a Section 4(f) resource.
• SR 0340 Section 000—Salisbury Township, Lancaster County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0340 Bridge over Indian Spring Run. Additional project activities include updating guiderail, improving drainage, and milling and overlaying the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE, approved on July 25, 2016, and a Nationwide/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Projects that Necessitate the Use of Historic Bridges, approved on May 2, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Pequea North Rural Historic District is eligible for listing on the NRHP for its significance in the areas of agriculture, settlement, religion and architecture. The period of significance for the Pequea North Rural Historic District extends from circa-1712, when settlement of the historic district began through 1954. The SR 0340 Bridge, constructed in 1930, was determined to be a contributing element. The new bridge will be contextually sensitive to the Pequea North Rural Historic District. The materials, massing and size of the replacement bridge will be sensitive to the local context and the overall setting of the historic district. The bridge will remain as a minor landscape feature within the existing setting. The proposed project will not adversely affect the Pequea North Rural Historic District.
• SR 1018 Section 000—Lykens Township, Dauphin County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 1018 (Valley Drive Road) Bridge over Deep Creek. Additional project activities include updating guiderail, improving drainage, and milling and overlaying the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE, approved on July 25, 2016, and a Nationwide/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Projects that Necessitate the Use of Historic Bridges, approved on May 10, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Lykens Valley Rural Historic District is eligible for listing on the NRHP for its significance in the areas of agriculture, mining and architecture. The historic district contributes to the broad patterns of agriculture and mining in this Commonwealth and continues to embody the distinctive characteristics of a 19th-century rural landscape. The Valley Drive Road Bridge, constructed in 1918, over Deep Creek was determined to be a contributing element to the Lykens Valley Rural Historic District. The new bridge will be contextually sensitive to the Lykens Valley Rural Historic District. The materials, massing and size of the replacement bridge will be sensitive to the local context and the overall setting of the historic district, and the bridge will remain as a minor landscape feature within the existing setting. The proposed project will not adversely affect the Lykens Valley Rural Historic District.
• SR 2001 Section 012—Rush Township, Northumberland County and Mayberry Township, Montour County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 2001 Bridge over Little Roaring Creek and includes guiderail updates, drainage improvements and approach work.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on June 17, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on May 4, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The project will require approximately 0.02 acre of permanent ROW acquisition from the NRHP eligible Quitman Mill property to accommodate bridge and roadway widening and wing walls. The proposed project will not adversely affect the Section 4(f) property.
• SR 2001 Section A01—Sergeant Township, McKean County.
Project Description: The Department, through the P3 Rapid Bridge Replacement Project proposes to replace the SR 2001, Section A01 (Wilcox Clermont Road) Bridge over Sevenmile Run. The project also includes updating guiderail, improving drainage, and milling and overlaying the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are also anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on September 23, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Public Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and/or Waterfowl Refuges, State Forest Land and State Game Land, approved on September 16, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Permanent ROW will need to be acquired directly around the bridge to accommodate the wing walls and any bridge and roadway widening in addition to temporary construction easements needed to access the bridge location. A portion of the project will take place within Elk State Park from which approximately 0.04 acre of ROW will be permanently acquired. The land use of the property proposed for acquisition consists of herbaceous vegetation, palustrine emergent wetland and palustrine forested wetland. The impacts that will occur are immediately adjacent to the highway and will not affect access to the park, or the recreational activities, features or attributes that qualify Elk State Park as a Section 4(f) resource. The proposed project will not adversely affect the Section 4(f) property.
• SR 3004 Section 006—Drumore Townships, Lancaster County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 3004 (Harmony Ridge Road) Bridge over Fishing Creek. Additional project activities include updating guiderail, improving drainage and milling and overlaying the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are also anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on June 28, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on April 19, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Cowgill-Barkley House and the Pennock's Mill District are eligible for listing on the NRHP for association with commerce in Lancaster County with a period of significance of 1776—1920. The majority of the buildings and structures on the property contribute to the historic district. The project will require the permanent acquisition of 0.05 acre of ROW within the NRHP boundary of the Cowgill-Barkley House property and the Pennocks's Mill District. These resources will not be adversely affected by the proposed project.
• SR 4013 Section BMP—Sellersville Borough, Bucks County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the bridge that carries SR 4013 (Main Street) over the East Branch Perkiomen Creek. The bridge and roadway will be located on nearly the same horizontal alignment as the existing bridge with minor changes to the roadway vertical profile.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE, approved on May 9, 2016, a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on January 19, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Public Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and/or Waterfowl Refuges, State Forest Land and State Game Land, approved on January 21, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Lake Lenape Park is eligible for listing on the NRHP as an area of recreation and conservation. The Lake Lenape Park has also been recommended to be considered a historic district by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (Commission). Approximately 0.122 acre will be acquired from Lake Lenape Park. The Lake Lenape Park will not be adversely affected as a result of this project.
• SR 4031 Section PSS—Pottstown Borough and North Coventry Township, Montgomery County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the modernization of 66 intersections. Improvements may include traffic signal upgrades, new signal controllers, signal mast-arms, signal heads, pedestrian signals, curb ramps, and related signing and pavement markings. New curb ramps constructed through this project will be ADA-compliant.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE Re-evaluation, approved on June 2, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties, approved on May 31, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The NRHP listed or eligible to be listed properties that will be affected, but not adversely affected by this project, include Pottstown Conservation District, Old Pottstown Historic District, Pottstown Industrial Historic District, High Street Historic District, The Hill School, Old Pottstown Historic District Boundary Increase, Charlotte Street Historic District, Reading Railroad, Schuylkill Canal, Pottstown Station, Pottstown Landing Historic District, Kenilworth Historic District, Pottstown Roller Mills, Hoffman's Store and William Grubb Mansion. A combined total of approximately 1.7 acre of ROW is required from these properties.
• SR 7301 Section LYN—City of Bethlehem, Northampton County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the camelback through-truss bridge carrying Lynn Avenue over the Lehigh Valley Rail Management Railroad in Bethlehem. The proposed replacement bridge will be significantly shortened due to all but one of the railroad lines no longer being active.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE Re-evaluation, approved on June 30, 2016, and a Nationwide/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Projects that Necessitate the Use of Historic Bridges, approved on November 21, 2011.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Lynn Avenue Bridge is a single span camelback through-truss bridge constructed in 1928. The City of Bethlehem, in cooperation with the Department, is proposing to replace the Lynn Avenue Bridge, which is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. The bridge cannot be rehabilitated due to its excessive deterioration without affecting the historic integrity. In addition, the bridge's poor sight distances associated with the approaches and the ''humpback'' vertical alignment would not be corrected by rehabilitation. The bridge has been marketed as part of the Department Historic Bridge Marketing program for the past 20 months and a Memorandum of Agreement has been executed between Federal Highway Administration and the Commission.
LESLIE S. RICHARDS,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-2324. Filed for public inspection December 30, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
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