Finding Forest County [35 Pa.B. 1940] Under section 2002(b) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 512(b)), the Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration makes the following written finding:
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Department of Transportation (Department) are planning to replace the West Hickory Bridge, which carries SR 0127 over the Allegheny River between the Village of West Hickory and SR 0062 in Forest County.
The subject project is considered a Level 2 Categorical Exclusion in accordance with 23 CFR 771.117(d), Item 3 (relating to categorical exclusions) as published in the August 28, 1987, Federal Register.
The bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is, therefore, a Section 2002/Section 4(f) resource. Removal of the existing bridge will constitute a use of the Section 2002/Section 4(f) resource.
Based upon studies, there is no prudent and feasible alternative to the proposed action. Mitigation measures will be taken to minimize harm as stipulated in the Categorical Exclusion Evaluation/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation and the Memorandum of Agreement between the FHWA and the State Historic Preservation Officer.
The environmental, economic, social and other effects of the proposed project as enumerated in section 2002 of The Administrative Code of 1929 have been considered. It has been concluded that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the project as designed, and all reasonable steps have been taken to minimize effects.
GARY L. HOFFMAN, P. E.,
Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-571. Filed for public inspection March 25, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]
