DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Findings
[46 Pa.B. 6584]
[Saturday, October 15, 2016]Under section 2002(b) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 512(b)) establishing the Department of Transportation (Department), the Director of the Bureau of Project Delivery, 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 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 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 proposed identified projects, and all reasonable steps have been taken to minimize the effects.
• SR 0144, Section A03—Bellefonte Borough, Centre County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the installation of a retaining wall to stabilize the roadway along a portion of Linn Street. The scope of work also includes reconstruction of the roadway, guiderail and drainage improvements, replacement of the existing handrail along Linn Street and repairs to the handrail along SR 150 (South Water Street).
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on February 24, 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 9, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f) Resource: This project will require a drainage easement totaling 0.052 acre from land owned by the Fish and Boat Commission (Commission). The property, currently used by fishermen and boaters to access and use Spring Creek, includes a small walking path providing access from a parking lot to an adjacent property. During construction, the path will remain open at all times to provide access to Spring Creek. The drainage easement will be maintained and operated by the Department so that the area remains fully functional for fishing and boating. The remainder of the project is a retaining wall installation and handrail repairs that are located within the Bellefonte Historic District. As all work will be done within the existing right-of-way (ROW) and no land is required for this portion of the project, District cultural resource professionals have cleared this project as having no adverse impacts to the historical district.
• SR 0230, Section 030—Elizabethtown Borough, Lancaster County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the superstructure of the SR 0230 Bridge (North Market Street) over Conoy Creek. Additional work includes repairs to the existing abutments, an overlay of the approaches and minimal full-depth pavement replacement at the abutments.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CE, approved on March 8, 2016, and a Nationwide/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Projects that Necessitate the Use of Historic Bridges approved on October 13, 2013.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Market Street Bridge, constructed in 1911, is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for its early and complete exemplification of the T-beam bridge technology. The Elizabethtown Historic District is considered eligible for listing on the NRHP for its representation of a mid-19th through early-20th century community and the architecture within the district. Though not explicitly identified as a contributing resource, the Market Street Bridge is considered to be a contributing feature of the Elizabethtown Historic District. The bridge cannot be rehabilitated to meet the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission concurred on this finding, and the project will have the result of an adverse effect to both the bridge and the Elizabethtown Historic District. Mitigation measures include context sensitive design including an open railing on the parapet walls of the replacement bridge improving the visibility of the creek and adjacent historic properties. An architectural walking tour of the Elizabethtown Historic District will also be developed, which will include bridges within the historic district and historic and current photos of the North Market Street Bridge.
• SR 0372, Section 000—Christiana Borough, Lancaster County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0372 (Water Street) Bridge over Williams Run. 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 CE, approved on February 9, 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 14, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Christiana Borough South Park is a community park located adjacent to the east side of the project area. The new bridge will require approximately 0.21 acre of ROW from the park to accommodate bridge and roadway widening, drainage improvements and the wing walls. The portion of the park that will be affected by the project will be directly around the existing bridge in an area of grassy maintained lawn. The project will not affect any activities, features or attributes of the park that qualify it for protection, and access to the park will not be affected.
• SR 0512, Section 03B—Bushkill Township, Northampton County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0512 Bridge over Bushkill Creek. The proposed project also includes updates to guiderail, improved drainage and approach work. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on March 4, 2016, and a determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties approved on January 19, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Kaske Farm is eligible for listing in the NRHP for its representation of regional agricultural change during the period of diversified grain and livestock farming. The proposed project will require the acquisition of approximately 0.11 acre of ROW within the NRHP boundary of the Kaske Farm to accommodate bridge and roadway widening and the wing walls. There will be no adverse effects to this resource as a result of this project.
• SR 0743, Section 028—Derry Township, Dauphin County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0743 (Park Avenue) Bridge over Spring Creek. The project also includes approach roadway work, drainage upgrades and curb ramp installation.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CE, approved on March 3, 2016, and a Nationwide/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Projects that Necessitate the Use of Historic Bridges approved on February 17, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Park Avenue Bridge (SR 0743) over Spring Creek was determined eligible for listing in the NRHP for its engineering and architectural representation of a standard T-beam bridge design. The Park Avenue Bridge is in poor condition and, due to its age, will continue to require repairs on a more frequent basis. The required repairs cannot be done without impacting the historical integrity of the bridge. The needed deck replacement and widening both dictate removal of character-defining features of the bridge and would result in an adverse effect. Based on these findings, the bridge will be reconstructed incorporating context sensitive design into the proposed bridge focusing on the parapets and end walls. Funding will also be provided to the Hershey Derry Township Historical Society to support the digitization and integration of select images relating to Derry Township's Transportation History to its current web site.
• SR 0869, Section 000—Pavia Township, Bedford County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0869 (Burnt House Road) Bridge over Bobs Creek. The proposed project also includes updating guiderail, improving drainage, and milling and overlaying the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on January 19, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties approved on January 12, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Ickles-Corle Farm is eligible for listing in the NRHP for its agricultural significance. The farm is located in the northeast quadrant of the project area and permanent ROW acquisition totaling 0.06 acre are required from the property. There will be no adverse effects to the resource as a result of this project.
• SR 1059, Section 001—East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the rehabilitation of the SR 1059 (South Muddy Creek Road) Bridge over Little Muddy Creek. The work will include superstructure replacement, approach roadway paving and some safety improvements including updated guide rail.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on March 3, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties approved on February 8, 2016.
Proposed use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Fry-Lesher-Lausch Farm is eligible for listing in the NRHP for its significance in agriculture from 1870 to 1960. It is located in the northeast quadrant of the project area. This project will require approximately 0.006 acre (275 square feet) of permanent ROW acquisition from the Fry-Lesher-Lausch Farm. There will be no adverse effects to this resource as a result of this project.
• SR 2004, Section B08—New Sewickley Township, Beaver County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the realignment of a portion of SR 2004 (Freedom-Crider Road). The project will consist of reconstructing T-575 (Crows Run Road) and relocating SR 2004 to follow the T-575 corridor. This project includes construction of new and replacement structures over Crows Run Stream and its tributaries, realignment of portions of Romigh Road and Park Quarry Road (T-606), reconstruction of intersections and a portion of SR 0065, and replacement of guide rail, drainage and signing.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CE, approved on March 24, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties both approved on October 13, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The House of Mercy Lutheran Church, built in 1878, is a 1 1/2 story frame country Gothic Revival style church. The House of Mercy Lutheran Church was determined to be eligible for NRHP listing as an example of Gothic Revival ecclesiastical architecture. An approximate 0.03 acre of permanent ROW are required from within the boundary of the House of Mercy Lutheran Church for proposed drainage improvements. The acquisition of property will not physically impact the church building, nor will it alter the characteristics of the House of Mercy Lutheran Church that qualify it as eligible for the NRHP.
• SR 2013, Section 005—Springettsbury Township, York County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the existing bridge structure carrying SR 2013 (Old Orchard Road) over an unnamed tributary to Kreutz Creek. Minor approach work and guiderail updates are also included.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on February 9, 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 August 19, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Stonewood Park is a public park owned and maintained by Springettsbury Township. A basketball court, playground, picnic pavilion and multipurpose field are all situated at the north end of the park to the west of the tributary to Kreutz Creek. The bridge replacement project is at the southeastern comer of the park and requires a minor ROW acquisition totaling 0.08 acre to the north of the bridge, which is necessary to accommodate the new bridge structure and guiderails. The park will not be adversely affected due to this project.
• SR 2026, Section 000—Franklin Township, Greene County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 2026 (Rolling Meadows Road) Bridge over Coal Lick Run. The project also includes guiderail updates, drainage improvements, and the mill and overlay of the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on February 1, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties both approved on January 29, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Green Hills Farm is listed in the NRHP for its significance as a late example of the Georgian style in a rural area and as an example of adaptive reuse of a large private dwelling. The property consists of a circa-1861 dwelling that was converted to a dormitory for the county's indigent, agricultural outbuildings from the 19th century, and buildings built or relocated to the property after 1973. The proposed project will require permanent acquisition of approximately 0.005 acre of additional ROW within the NRHP boundary of the Green Hills Farm to accommodate any bridge and roadway widening and the wing walls. There will be no adverse effects to the resource as a result of this project.
• SR 3008, Section A01—Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the T-460 (Morrow Road) Bridge over McLaughlin Run. The project also includes guiderail updates, drainage improvements, and the mill and overlay of the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on February 9, 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 27, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Upper Saint Clair Municipal Park consists of approximately 29.75 acres of recreational space managed for conservation, education and recreation purposes. It includes an administration building, Veterans Park, Founders Field, Marmion Field, township tennis facility, three-hole golf course, community activity center, basketball courts, and a new playground and picnic area. Upper St. Clair Township has recently adopted a Comprehensive Plan (2015—2025), which defines the park as a valuable recreational feature of the community. Approximately 0.065 acre of permanent ROW will be required for this project. There will be no adverse effects to the park as a result of this project.
• SR 4001, Section 004—Cummings Township, Lycoming County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the reconstruction of the SR 4001 (Little Pine Creek Road) Bridge over Love Run and includes minor approach work.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on February 5, 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 December 17, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The project will require approximately 0.1 acre of permanent ROW acquisition from Little Pine State Park. The park surrounds the project area and the required ROW will be taken from all four quadrants to allow for a wider bridge and future maintenance access. None of the features, qualities or attributes of the park that qualify it for protection will be permanently impacted.
• SR 4003, Section 150—Brady's Bend Township, Armstrong County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 4003 (Seybertown Road) Bridge over Sugar Creek.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CE, approved on January 5, 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 5, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Brady's Bend Access Area is a recreational boat launch facility and associated parking area, which provides public access to the Allegheny River. It is owned and maintained by the Commission. Approximately 0.02 acre of permanent ROW and 0.008 acre of permanent slope easement are required from the access area. The acquisition of this land will not change the qualities, activities, features or attributes of the Commission property.
• SR 4032, Section P30—Sewickley Heights Borough, Allegheny County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 4032 (Fern Hollow Road) Bridge over Little Sewickley Creek. The project also includes guiderail updates, drainage improvements, and the mill and overlay of the approaches. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CE, approved on January 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 December 23, 2015.
Proposed use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: Sewickley Heights Borough Park consists of approximately 1,200 acres of forests and undeveloped fields managed for conservation, education and recreation purposes. There are no existing or planned facilities within the project study area as the intent of the park is the nature experience and is used by hikers, bikers and equestrians. Approximately 0.043 acre of permanent ROW acquisition is required from the park. The area is not heavily used and does not contain any trails or formal recreation areas. The minimal amount of required ROW needed for this project will not reduce the value of the park property.
• SR 7203, Section BR—Blacklick Township, Indiana County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the T-460 (Aultmans Run Road) Bridge over Aultmans Run.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CE, approved on March 4, 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 1, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: State Game Lands # 332 is located in the project area. Approximately 0.09 acre of permanent ROW will be required from State Game Land # 332 to accommodate the replacement of the bridge. Mitigation in the form of debiting 0.09 acre will occur from the State Game Land # 50 Bank located in Somerset County, under the management of the Department's Engineering District 9-0. The proposed project will not adversely impact the current or future land use of State Game Land # 332. Access to the game land and its recreational opportunities immediately adjacent to the new structure will be maintained.
• SR 7227, Section 58B—Oley Township, Berks County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the Fisher Mill Road (T-575) Bridge over the Manatawny Creek.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CE, approved on February 16, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties approved on January 14, 2016.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Oley Township Historic District is listed in the NRHP. It consists of an agricultural community with architectural examples from the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are three contributing properties to the Oley Township Historic District within the project area: the Fisher Mill property (including the mill race), the Kauffman Farm and the Daniel Baum Farm. A total of 0.46 acre of permanent ROW is required from the historic district, a total of 0.4 acre of permanent ROW acquisition will be required from the Fisher Mill property on the northern side of the existing bridge and in the southwest quadrant of the bridge, and a total of 0.06 acre of permanent ROW acquisition will be required from the Kauffman Farm in the southeast quadrant of the bridge. No distinguishing features of the contributing properties will be affected by this project.
• SR 7463, Section BRG—Swissvale and Rankin Boroughs, Allegheny County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 7436 (South Braddock Avenue) Bridge over the mainline tracks of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The structure will be raised to the required height to provide the minimal acceptable vertical clearances to the Norfolk Southern Railroad. Retaining walls will be constructed and extended as necessary in areas directly adjacent to the new structure. The project also includes guiderail updates, drainage improvements, and signing and pavement markings. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CE, approved on January 27, 2016, and two Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties both approved on October 1, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Pennsylvania Railroad mainline is eligible for listing in the NRHP for significance in the areas of transportation, economy and commerce, and community development. Permanent ROW takes totaling 0.051 acre and a slope easement totaling 0.162 acre will be required from the Pennsylvania Railroad property to complete the bridge replacement project. Hawkins Village is eligible for listing in the NRHP for significance in community planning and development and as an important design type that emerged from the Nationwide Federal Housing Program. A permanent sliver ROW take totaling 0.065 acre from Hawkins Village will be required for the reconstruction and extension of an existing retaining wall to facilitate the bridge replacement. These permanent takes will not result in an effect to the qualities, which make the Pennsylvania Railroad and Hawkins Village eligible for listing in the NRHP.
R. SCOTT CHRISTIE, PE,
Deputy Secretary for
Highway Administration
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-1777. Filed for public inspection October 14, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
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