NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Findings
[45 Pa.B. 837]
[Saturday, February 14, 2015]Under section 2002(b) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 512(b)) establishing the Department of Transportation (Department), the Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration, as delegated by the Secretary of Transportation, makes the following written finding:
The Department is planning the following listed projects. Environmental and Section 4(f) Documentation have been developed for the projects identified as follows to evaluate the potential environmental impacts caused by these projects. The approved documents are available in the CE/EA 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 following proposed identified projects and all reasonable steps have been taken to minimize the effects.
• SR 0000, Section L00—City of Meadville, Crawford County.
Project Description: The project consists of the replacement of the Mead Avenue Bridge (SR 7301), which carries Mead Avenue over French Creek. Minor approach work will be done to accommodate the grade adjustments along Mead Avenue and through the intersection of Mead Avenue and with SR 0102 (Cussewago Road). Improvements also will be made to the intersection of French Street and Mead Avenue east of the bridge. In addition to the bridge replacement, the project includes the milling and paving of Mead Avenue from the end of the full depth reconstruction to the intersection of Mead Avenue and SR 0006/0019.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE approved on July 31, 2014, a Nationwide/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Projects that Necessitate the use of Historic Bridges document approved on October 15, 2010, and a Determination of Section 4(f) Applicability Involving Temporary Use (Occupancy) document approved on March 26, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Mead Avenue Bridge is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The proposed project will replace the Mead Avenue Bridge with a new structure on the existing alignment. The existing Mead Avenue Bridge was permanently closed to traffic and pedestrians in 2007 due to safety concerns related to structural deficiencies and severe deterioration. The existing bridge will be dismantled and removed resulting in an adverse effect to the bridge. The Department and the Crawford County Commissioners shall institute marketing efforts for the Mead Avenue Bridge with the intent of identifying a willing and capable third party who can provide viable relocation and rehabilitation design plan. If the marketing of the Mead Avenue Bridge is unsuccessful, an interpretive kiosk will be erected to highlight its history and significance. Bicentennial Park is a 3-acre public park owned by the City of Meadville. A temporary construction easement (TCE) totaling 0.3 acre of park property will be needed during construction. The temporary use area of the park will provide equipment access and a staging area for grading equipment. This area will be fully restored to a condition at least as good as that which existed prior to the project.
• SR 0022, Section 400—Whitehall and Hanover Townships, Lehigh County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves safety and mobility improvements to the Route 22 corridor. Specifically, the proposed project involves replacing the Fifth Street (SR 1029) and Fullerton Avenue (SR 1015) Bridges over Route 22 to achieve 16.5 feet of vertical clearance, lengthening the acceleration and deceleration lanes of all four ramps at the Fullerton Avenue Interchange, adding a continuous auxiliary lane in each direction between the MacArthur Road (SR 0145) and Fullerton Avenue Interchanges and replacing the bridges carrying Route 22 over the Lehigh Valley Railroad/Lehigh River and the Lehigh Canal/Dauphin Street.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE approved on September 9, 2014, 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 document approved on April 27, 2011, 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 document approved on April 21, 2014, 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 document approved on June 6, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties document approved on June 16, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: This project requires the construction of two new piers and the subsequent demolition of the two existing bridge piers within the Lehigh River. Recreational navigation will be maintained between the two piers during project construction. Additionally, an Aid to Navigation (ATON) plan will be implemented to ensure safe passage through the project area. Given the maintenance of recreational navigation during construction, the proposed project will not impact the recreational activities, features or attributes of the Lehigh River Water Trail. Approximately 0.28 acre of right-of-way (ROW) acquisition and 0.04 acre of slope easements from the Wood Street playground are required for this project. The ROW acquisitions totaling 0.65 acre are required from Whitehall Bird Sanctuary. No developed recreational facilities will be impacted by this project. The Canal Park's D&L Trail will be temporarily relocated to Dauphin Street during a portion of construction.
Trail users will be directed to a temporary connection from the existing trail. Upon completion of work, the trail will be restored and opened to users. An aerial easement of 0.14 acre is required from the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Lehigh Navigation Canal, eligible and listed on the NRHP, respectively. There will be a permanent impact of 0.003 acre to these resources resulting from pier footer replacement.
• SR 0062, Section B08—City of Franklin, Venango County.
Project Description: The project consists of the rehabilitation of the SR 0062 bridge over French Creek. Project activities include dewatering around piers two and three, excavation around these footings and placement of Class A Cement Concrete around the piers for scour protection.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE approved on September 3, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) Applicability Involving Temporary Use (Occupancy) document approved on August 12, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: This project will require an ATON plan for the French Creek Water Trail.
• SR 0078, Section 12M—Greenwich Township, Berks County.
Project Description: The project consists of the reconstruction of an 8-mile section of Interstate 78/US 22 in Berks and Lehigh Counties. The improvements include the complete reconstruction of all mainline pavement, widening or replacement of project area structures, the addition of truck climbing lanes in both the eastbound and westbound directions, and various safety upgrades necessary to meet current design criteria. Safety improvements include widening to full inside and outside shoulders throughout the length of the project and improving sight distance. Minimal upgrades and some repaving will be done to the other roadways within the project area.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE approved on July 2, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties Determination document approved on June 30, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) Applicability Involving Temporary Use (Occupancy) document approved on June 30, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Minor property acquisitions will be necessary from three resources determined eligible for listing on the NRHP: the Maiden Creek Charcoal Furnace (1.94 acres); Heim Farm (1.28 acres); and Kengle Farm (3.50 acres). A finding of no adverse effect was made for each of these properties. A TCE is required from the Keller Farm, eligible for listing on the NRHP, to construct the proposed noise wall along the south side of I-78. The noise wall will result in an adverse effect. A Memorandum of Agreement has been executed committing to mitigation measures including landscaping to minimize the visual impact of the wall.
• SR 0173, Section B02—Fairfield Township and the Borough of Cochranton, Crawford County.
Project Description: The project consists of the replacement of the existing SR 0173 bridge crossing over French Creek. The existing Cochranton Truss Bridge is structurally deficient and improvements are required to maintain a safe crossing at this location.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE approved on July 18, 2014, 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 15, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: French Creek is an approved Water Trail. An ATON plan will be prepared for this project. An area adjacent to French Creek and the bridge is owned by the Borough of Cochranton. This property is leased by the Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) for use as a public boat launch into French Creek and is listed on the Commission's County Guide to boat launches for Crawford County. A permanent ROW acquisition totaling 0.08 acre is required from the edge of the property along SR 0173. A TCE totaling 0.10 acre will be required from the property during construction. The TCE area will be restored to preconstruction conditions after the completion of construction.
• SR 0183, Section 07S—Jefferson Township, Berks County.
Project Description: The project consists of the realignment of the New Schaefferstown Road, Bernville Road and SR 0183 intersection. Project activities include realigning the eastern leg of the ''Y'' intersection, replacing the existing single span structure over the Unnamed Tributary to Little Northkill Creek, installing an exclusive right-turn lane along SR 0183 northbound, widening the SR 0183 and SR 4016 roadway templates, and installing a traffic signal.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE approved on August 20, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties document approved on April 22, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The William Potteiger Farm, located on the west side of New Schaefferstown Road at the intersection with SR 0183, is eligible for the NRHP. The project requires a total of 0.581 acre of permanent land acquisition for ROW and slope and drainage easements from within the boundary of the farm. The minor land acquisitions will not affect the historic integrity of the William Potteiger Farm and none of the buildings on the farm will be affected, resulting in no adverse effect.
• SR 2022, Section 03B—Stroud Township, Monroe County.
Project Description: The project consists of the replacement of the structure that carries SR 2022 (Mill Creek Road) over Brodhead. The project also includes restoration of the approach roadway and minor modifications of the vertical alignment to improve sight distance. The existing horizontal alignment will be maintained throughout the project.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE approved on September 8, 2014, 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 document approved on June 26, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Yetter Park, owned by Stroud Township, is located in the southern quadrants of the project area. The park also contains the Township-owned Levee Loop Trail (approximately 3 miles in length) in the southeastern quadrant of the project area. Stroud Trail, a planned trail by Stroud Township, will be constructed in the northwest quadrant of the project area after the bridge replacement project. The proposed project will require acquisition of approximately 0.13 acre of the 25 acres of Yetter Park for transportation ROW. This acquisition includes approximately 10 linear feet of the Levee Loop Trail. A drainage and slope easement will acquire approximately 0.07 acre of Yetter Park between Stokes Mill Road and Brodhead Creek.
• SR 3047, Section C01—East Fallowfield Township, Chester County.
Project Description: The project consists of the rehabilitation of the Speakman No. 1 Covered Bridge over Buck Run. The bridge requires rehabilitation due to the deterioration of its structural members over time.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE approved on October 24, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties document approved on July 31, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Speakman's Covered Bridge No. 1 is listed on the NRHP. Steel girders and steel pier bents were added to the structure in 1968 to allow the bridge to carry modern traffic loads. This project will include the rehabilitation of the Burr-arch truss, timber superstructure and the replacement of the abutments to strengthen the structure to meet modern loading criteria. The existing steel girders will be removed and replaced with a new steel I-beam floor system. Members which are not able to be incorporated into the rehabilitated structure due to deterioration will be replaced in kind and stone from the existing structure will be used to create stone facing for the reinforced concrete abutments and wing-walls. Through coordination with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, it was determined that the proposed rehabilitation will not have an adverse effect on the structure's historic eligibility.
• SR 4046, Section D10—Washington Township, Fayette County.
Project Description: The project consists of a bridge replacement on SR 4046, installation of approach slabs, updating of the guide rail connections at the new parapets and paving the new approaches. The bridge spans Lutz Run and an abandoned railroad ROW. The new structure and approach roadway will be slightly widened to accommodate current design criteria.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE approved on September 29, 2014, and a Nationwide/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Projects that Necessitate the Use of Historic Bridges document approved on September 23, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The structure to be replaced crosses over Lutz Run and the abandoned Pittsburgh and Lake Erie ROW. The existing structure will be demolished and replaced with a new structure at the existing location. The existing bridge is eligible for the NRHP as an early example of a reinforced concrete T-beam structure and is historically and technologically significant. Due to the construction methods and materials involved, in-kind replacement of deteriorated materials cannot occur. It is not possible to rehabilitate this type of bridge without fully compromising the historic integrity of the structure.
• SR 6006, Section B02—City of Warren, Warren County.
Project Description: The project consists of the replacement of the superstructure of the SR 6006 bridge over Glade Run.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE approved on September 22, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse use Historic Properties approved on September 2, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The United Refinery property is eligible for the NRHP. The use of the property will involve the ROW acquisition of a 0.032-acre strip take from the United Refinery parcel. This will accommodate the minor widening and future maintenance needs of the structure. The Cultural Resource Professional has determined that there will be no adverse effect to the property.
• SR 7207, Section C55—Gilmore Township, Greene County.
Project Description: The project consists of a replacement of the SR 7207 bridge (County Bridge No. 55) over Bloody Run.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE approved on May 2, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimus Use Section 2002 No Adverse use Historic Properties document approved on April 15, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Permanent ROW acquisition will be required from within the boundary of the J. L. Garrison Farm totaling 0.087 acre and consisting of sliver takes near the bridge. The J. L. Garrison Farm is listed on the NRHP. TCEs totaling 0.489 acre will also be necessary within the NRHP boundary for the construction of the temporary runaround. The project is an online bridge replacement that incorporates all measures to minimize harm. The temporary stream crossing will not be a permanent feature of the landscape and will be removed after completion of the project. It was determined that the proposed use of property from the farmstead will not affect its historical or architectural significance.
• SR 7301, Section LOC—City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
Project Description: The project consists of the removal of the Ridge Avenue Bridge, and replacing the West Ohio Street Bridge by the City of Pittsburgh in cooperation with the Department and the Federal Highway Administration. Both bridges are located in Pittsburgh's North Side neighborhood and are contributing elements to the Norfolk Southern Railroad (former Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne and Chicago Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad), eligible for the NRHP, and Allegheny Commons Park and Historic District. The Ridge Avenue Bridge has been closed to all traffic since 2003 and is to be removed.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE approved on June 23, 2014, and a Final Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation approved on June 5, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The increased profile grade of the West Ohio Street Bridge will require the use of 0.24 acre of TCE and 0.74 acre of permanent slope easement from Allegheny Commons Park. The replacement of the West Ohio Street Bridge and loss of the Ridge Avenue Bridge, both contributing elements to the Allegheny Commons Park Historic District and the Fort Wayne Division, Pennsylvania Railroad Linear Resource (Historic District) would constitute a use of these resources.
• SR 7409, Section BRG—Lititz Borough, Lancaster County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves replacement of the existing North Locust Street Bridge over Santo Domingo Creek in Lititz Borough, Lancaster County. The horizontal and vertical alignment of the proposed structure will match the existing and minimal approach work, and will be needed to tie the new structure into the existing roadway.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE approved on October 21, 2014, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimus Use Section 2002 No Averse Use Public Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and/or Waterfowl Refuges, State Forest Land and State Game Land document approved on September 5, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The proposed project will require 0.035 acre of permanent ROW acquisition and 0.138 acre of TCEs from the New Street Park. The permanent ROW will be required for the construction of the proposed culvert end walls, the placement of rip-rap adjacent to the proposed structure, the relocated domestic water pipeline and any necessary grading. Acquisition of the ROW will be limited to the area immediately adjacent to the North Locust StreetBridge and will not result in a loss of the park's qualities, activities, features or attributes.
R. SCOTT CHRISTIE, PE,
Deputy Secretary for
Highway Administration
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-285. Filed for public inspection February 13, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]
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