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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 22-1883

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Finding

[52 Pa.B. 7486]
[Saturday, December 3, 2022]

 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 Design and Delivery, as delegated by the Secretary of Transportation, makes the following written finding:

 The Four-Lane Widening with Median Barrier Alternative is the preferred alternative of the SR 0222, Section 28M widening project in Berks County. The project extends along SR 0222 for approximately 4.7 miles from east of Schaeffer Road (T-757) in Maidencreek Township to the Kutztown Bypass in Richmond Township.

 This alternative involves reconstructing the existing SR 0222 roadway to include four 12-foot travel lanes (two in each direction), a 10-foot median (including two 4-foot inside shoulders and a 2-foot concrete median barrier) and two 10-foot outside shoulders, for a total pavement width of 78 feet. Included as part of this alternative would be the construction of roundabouts at the intersections with Richmond Road and Pleasant Hill Road, as well as the online replacement of the concrete bridge structure (BRKEY No. 4797) carrying SR 0222 over Moselem Creek. This alternative would be constructed using staged construction to maintain a minimum of two lanes of traffic at all times.

 The Environmental Assessment (EA) and EA Comment Responses have been evaluated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and were determined to discuss adequately and accurately the need, environmental issues and impacts of the proposed project and mitigation measures that will be taken to minimize harm as stipulated in the EA. Based on the EA, the FHWA has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for the project. Furthermore, the Bureau of Design and Delivery has concluded that all State environmental evaluation requirements, as published in section 2002 of The Administrative Code of 1929, have been satisfied.

 Based upon studies and the Final Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation, there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the Section 4(f)/Section 2002 resources for the proposed action, and the project is planned to minimize harm to the Section 4(f)/Section 2002 resources. The proposed project is anticipated to result in unavoidable impacts to the adjacent historic properties and contributing resources to the Richmond-Maxatawny Rural Historic District, which qualify as Section 4(f)/2002 resources. Specifically, the Four-Lane Widening with Median Barrier Alternative would result in the following Section 2002/4(f) uses.

 • National Register (NR)-eligible Hoch Farm—partial right-of-way (ROW) take, demolition of contributing roadside shed.

 • NR-eligible Kaufman Farm—partial ROW take.

 • NR-eligible Richmond-Maxatawny Rural Historic District—partial ROW takes from 18 contributing properties, demolition of 1 noncontributing building, demolition of 4 contributing buildings including a historic farmstead.

 Due to the numerous ROW takes and the associated demolition of contributing buildings, this alternative would result in an Adverse Effect on the Richmond-Maxatawny Rural Historic District and the Hoch Farm under 36 CFR 800 (relating to protection of historic properties) regulations established under section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C.A. 306108), formerly (16 U.S.C.A. § 470f).

 On the basis of the documentation, it can be concluded that the harm to the resources has been minimized, feasible and prudent alternatives have been explored to avoid impact upon the resources and section 2002 of The Administrative Code of 1929 has been fulfilled as it relates to this project.

 Mitigation measures will be taken to minimize harm as stipulated in the EA. Significant environmental impacts are not likely to result from the proposed action.

CHRISTINE A. SPANGLER, PE, 
Director
Bureau of Design and Delivery

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 22-1883. Filed for public inspection December 2, 2022, 9:00 a.m.]


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