DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Findings [46 Pa.B. 1870]
[Saturday, April 9, 2016]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 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 0000, Section SC2—City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the construction of a multi-use recreational trail along a former railroad right-of-way (ROW) and is the central component of the North Delaware Riverfront Greenway, an 11-mile greenway. The project will provide linear public access along the riverfront in the City of Philadelphia, as well as access to two public riverfront parks.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE, approved on December 3, 2015, 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 6, 2009.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The recreational trail will cross a publicly owned Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) boat launch and parking area, a Section 4(f) resource, which is also a popular place for fishing from the bank of the Delaware River. The segment of the trail to be constructed is approximately 2,900 feet long and is part of a much larger project that will result in continuous bike/hike trails extending from Trenton, NJ to Philadelphia along or near the Delaware River. The project will start at Milnor Street near Princeton Avenue and stretch to the southern end of the Commission boat launch and parking area near the mouth of the old Frankford Creek. As the Commission property will have a dual function as both a boat launch and trailhead, the trail will cross the Commission property parallel to the river and will incorporate an extension to Tacony Street. The design will be a component of a permanent maintenance agreement between the Commission and the City of Philadelphia that will be completed prior to any construction activity. The total area of the Commission property occupied by the trail is approximately 0.8 acre.
• SR 0034, Section 040—Tyrone and Huntington Townships, Adams County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the SR 0034 (Carlisle Road) bridge over Bermudian Creek. Minor profile adjustments along the roadway approaches are anticipated.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on December 18, 2015, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties approved on December 10, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Northern Adams County Fruit-belt Historic District is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The C&G Orchards property, in the eastern quadrants, is the only contributing property within the project area. Approximately 0.06 acre of permanent ROW acquisition is required from C&G Orchards. There will be no adverse effects to the Historic District or the contributing property as a result of this project.
• SR 0040, Section 10B—Wharton Township, Fayette County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the improvement of the intersection of U. S. 40 and SR 0381 to address current traffic safety concerns. The current intersection configuration is two separate offset T-intersections separated by approximately 200 feet. The southern leg of SR 0381 will be relocated east of its existing location to align the roadway with the northern leg creating a single signalized four-way intersection to improve traffic safety. Widening of U. S. 40 will occur along the east bound lane prior to the intersection to accommodate turn lanes.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE, approved on December 10, 2015, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties approved on August 29, 2012.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: U. S. 40 is known as the National Road. The section of the National Road through Wharton Township is eligible for listing in the NRHP for its early 19th century engineering accomplishments. Direct effects to the resource include relocation of the southern leg of SR 0381 to create a four-way intersection and the widening of the U. S. 40 roadway in the area of the intersection. The relocation of a portion of SR 0381 along U. S. 40 will affect the integrity of the linear resource. However, the proposed activities will have no adverse effect to the historical and engineering significance of the National Road.
• SR 0390, Section 01B—Barrett Township, Monroe County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the bridge superstructure rehabilitation of the bridge substructure and reconstruction of the approach roadway for the SR 0390 (Krummel Hill Road) bridge crossing over Leavitt Branch.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on December 21, 2015, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties approved on November 16, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Skytop Lodge property includes the five-story stone Dutch Colonial style Skytop Lodge, the Mountain (Skytop) Lake, the lower lake, an 18-hole golf course and additional recreational amenities, as well as cottages, a modern inn and a convention center. The property was evaluated as eligible for listing on the NRHP by the Department. The Skytop Lodge resort property consists of multiple parcels in Monroe County; however, research has not uncovered information or a map showing the exact boundaries of the property and the parcels that contribute to the resort property. For project purposes, it is assumed that the historic boundary includes the land north and south of SR 0390 adjacent to the bridge. Permanent drainage easements will be required on the north side of SR 0390 and slope easements are required on the north and south side of SR 0390. The required permanent easement area for drainage and slope protection is 0.101 acre to be acquired from Skytop Lodges, Inc., all within the assumed NRHP-eligible boundaries of Skytop Lodge. The bridge will be rehabilitated with in-kind materials resulting in a bridge that looks largely like the existing structure. While the project will require removal of landscape elements, they are not crucial to retention of the setting, feeling and design of the complex. The project will have no adverse effect on the Skytop Lodge property.
• SR 0436, Section 552—Punxsutawney Borough, Jefferson County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement and realignment of the Margiotti Bridge on SR 0436 (Lincoln Way) over the Mahoning Creek. The proposed bridge will be constructed adjacent to and downstream of the existing structure. The project includes a realignment of Perry Street to the north to make a connection with SR 0036.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE, approved on November 5, 2015, 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 March 25, 2014.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Mahoning Shadow Trail is located along the south bank of Mahoning Creek. Designed for nonmotorized recreational usage, the 15 1/2-mile long trail follows the Mahoning Creek for most of its course throughout the Punxsutawney area. The proposed bridge will require a permanent aerial easement of approximately 0.09 acre and will maintain future trail access, keep public recreational use and retain aesthetics of the trail. The trail will remain open for the majority of the time during construction. However, short-term trail closures, less than 24 hours, are anticipated during several major construction events. The contractor will be required to restore the trail to its preconstruction condition.
• SR 0926, Section 53S—Birmingham and Pocopson Townships, Chester County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the existing SR 0926 (Street Road) bridge over Brandywine Creek, replacement of the existing SR 0926 culvert over Radley Run, and raising of the elevation profile of SR 0926 from the easternmost intersection with SR 3100 (Creek Road) and the intersection with SR 2023 (Pocopson Road). The total length of the project is approximately 2,800 feet.
Environmental Documents: Level 2 CEE, approved on November 12, 2015, and three Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties all approved on October 1, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Brandywine Battlefield was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961 with boundaries certified in 1977. The Brandywine Battlefield abuts the southern boundary of the project. The Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, was one of the earliest and largest combat actions of the Revolutionary War. The Brandy-wine Battlefield still retains many significant historic and natural features, as well as cultural attributes. At the eastern terminus of the project, the project will require 0.185 acre of permanent ROW acquisition to accommodate the new arch culvert proposed over Radley Run and the grade tie-in with existing Creek Road. In addition, there will be 0.435 acre required for slope easements due to the grading associated with raising the vertical profile on SR 0926. The Painter Farm and Mill Complex, eligible for listing on the NRHP, represents a late 18th- through early 20th-century agricultural and industrial development of the Brandywine Valley. The remaining structures associated with the complex retain integrity of design, materials and workmanship while its setting remains intact. At the northern terminus of the project, the project will require 0.055 acre of permanent ROW acquisition to accommodate the new arch culvert proposed over Radley Run and the grade tie-in with existing Creek Road. In addition, there will be 0.192 acre required for slope easements due to the grading associated with raising the vertical profile on SR 0926 and the realignment of Creek Road. The Pocopson Train Station, eligible for listing on the NRHP, was initially constructed in 1892 as a passenger rail station and station agent living quarters with the Wilmington and Northern Railroad Company, which also served as a United States Post Office. The project will require 0.0077 acre for one slope easement due to the grading associated with raising the vertical profile on SR 0926. The design will blend the project into the surrounding landscape while incorporating design elements into the project to minimize the visual impacts to the historic properties.
• SR 3003, Section 01B—Eldred Township, Monroe County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the existing bridge over Chapple Creek (SR 3003). The project will require minor approach work including fill along the roadway embankments. A segment of Chapple Creek will be restored to mitigate the existing erosion to the approach roadway embankment and the stream bank downstream of the bridge will be stabilized.
Environmental Documents: BRPA CEE, approved on December 3, 2015, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use Historic Properties approved on November 30, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Smale Farm is located in the southeast quadrant of the project area. The property contains a mid-19th-century brick house and frame and stone bank barn, as well as a collection of mid-20th-century outbuildings including several frame and metal barns, an outhouse, a frame corncrib, a chicken house and a concrete block workshop. The Department prepared a Section 106 Field assessments and Finding Form to document and re-evaluate the property and determined that the Smale Farm is eligible for listing on the NRHP. Approximately 0.013 acre of ROW are required along the roadway within the NRHP boundary of the Smale Farm. The project will have no adverse effect to the property.
• SR 4032, Section P30—Sewickley Heights Borough, Allegheny County.
Project Description: This project consists of the replacement of a bridge carrying SR 4032 over an unnamed tributary of Little Sewickley Creek.
Environmental Documents: CE BRPA Evaluation, approved on January 8, 2016, and a Determination of Section 4(f) De Minimis Use Section 2002 No Adverse Use approved December 23, 2015.
Proposed Use of Section 4(f)/2002 Resource: The Sewickley Heights Borough Park is a public park and Section 4(f)/2002 Resource of approximately 1,200 acres. Permanent land acquisition totaling approximately 0.043 acre is required from the park due to the proposed project. There will be no adverse effects on the park as a result of this project.
• SR 7463, Section BRG—Swissvale and Rankin Boroughs, Allegheny County.
Project Description: The proposed project involves the replacement of the Kenmawr Bridge, which carries South Braddock Avenue 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.
Environmental Documents: Level 1b CEE, 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, eligible for listing on the NRHP, is located underneath the Kenmawr Bridge. Permanent ROW takes totaling 0.051 acre and 0.161 acre of slope easement in the area of the former Hawkins Station are required for this project. Hawkins Village is eligible for listing on the NRHP and is located adjacent to the project area. A permanent sliver ROW take totaling 0.065 acre is required for the reconstruction and extension of an existing retaining wall within the property of Hawkins Village to facilitate the bridge replacement. These ROW acquisitions will not result in an effect to the qualities, which make the resources eligible for listing in the NRHP.
R. SCOTT CHRISTIE, PE,
Deputy Secretary for
Highway Administration[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-610. Filed for public inspection April 8, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
