1196 Opportunity for a corridor-design public hearing and announcement of availability of an environmental assessment/draft section 4(f) evaluation

Opportunity for a Corridor-Design Public Hearing and Announcement of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation

[28 Pa.B. 3550]

   All interested persons are advised that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has prepared plans, an Environmental Assessment/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation, and supporting technical files for the proposed safety improvements to U. S. Route 22 at Water Street, S. R. 6022, Section 005 in Morris Township, Huntingdon County.

   The following is a description of the alternatives studied in detail:

Southern Alternative E (Preferred Alternative)

   The Southern Alternative would substantially improve traffic safety by providing an improved alignment primarily on new location to the south of and parallel to existing U. S. Route 22. This alternative is comprised of a two-lane facility and would include a truck climbing lane. The proposed alignment and relocated U. S. Route 22/PA 453 intersection would begin just north of the existing intersection. It would cross over existing U. S. 22 and Shaffer's Run on structure and proceed in a westerly direction and run parallel to existing U. S. 22 before tying into existing U. S. Route 22 west of the village of Shaffersville. The total length of this alignment would be approximately 1.7 miles. This alternative impacts 0.01 acres of wetlands and two (2) National Register eligible historic districts.

Revised Southern Alternative I Modified

   Alternative I is similar to Alternative E in that it also would provide an improved alignment primarily on new location to the south and parallel to existing U. S. Route 22. It would consist of a two-lane facility and a truck climbing lane. The proposed alignment and relocated U. S. Route 22/PA 453 intersection would begin south of the existing intersection. From here the alignment would proceed in a westerly direction and run parallel to existing U. S. 22 before tying into existing U. S. Route 22 west of the village of Shaffersville. The total length of this alignment would be approximately 1.8 miles. This alternative requires crossing Shaffer's Run at four (4) locations and a 170-foot cut through Tussey Mountain. It also impacts 0.40 acres of wetlands and one National Register eligible historic district.

No-Build Alternative

   The no-build alternative would consist of no improvements to existing conditions with the exception of routine maintenance.

   The plans, Environmental Assessment/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation, and supporting technical files are available for review and comment for a 45-day period at the Department of Transportation District Office located at 1620 North Juniata Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 (telephone [phone]) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and the Federal Highway Administration's Office at 228 Walnut Street, Room 508, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania between the hours of 8 a.m.--4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

   This Environmental Assessment/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation is also available for review at the Huntingdon County Courthouse, Planning Commission Office, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania between the hours of 8:30 a.m.--4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; Memorial Public Library, Main Street, Alexandria, PA between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday and Thursday; and at the home of Tina Hall, Morris Township Secretary. Interested persons may contact the secretary at [phone] to arrange a date and time to review the documents.

   Also, any interested party may request that a public hearing be held to present testimony concerning the specified location and major design features of the proposed highway improvement, including the social, economic, environmental, and other effects of alternate designs and location.

   Any request to hold a public hearing and all comments on the above documents must be delivered in writing to Earl L. Neiderhiser, P.E., District Engineer, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 9-0 Office, 1620 North Juniata Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 or Ronald W. Carmichael, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, P. O. Box 1086, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1720 on or before August 26, 1998.

   In the event a request for a public hearing is received, a further notice of the time and place of the hearing will be published.

BRADLEY MALLORY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1196. Filed for public inspection July 24, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]