Finding Luzerne County [43 Pa.B. 4289]
[Saturday, July 27, 2013]Under section 2002(b) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 512(b)), the Director of the Bureau of Project Delivery, as delegated by the Secretary of Transportation, makes the following written finding:
The Department of Transportation (Department) is planning to construct a new roadway on new alignment with upgrades to the existing Middle Road, Luzerne County. In summary, the South Valley Parkway (SVP) project would begin at the Middle Road/Prospect Street intersection and travel east to a new PA 29, Exit 2 interchange. Roundabouts are proposed at the Middle Road intersections with Prospect, Espy and Kosciusko Streets, and other roundabouts are proposed at the intersections of the interchange with PA 29. The 3.8-mile new alignment portion of the SVP will be one lane in each direction (with a climbing lane and center left-turn lane where applicable). The new split diamond interchange with PA 29 will be west of and replace the existing Exit 2 interchange. There will be two bridges (a 700-foot bridge over PA 29, Dundee Cross Road and Nanticoke Creek and a 150-foot bridge over PA 29 near the existing Exit 2) and one culvert (178-foot box culvert for Warrior Creek). The proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
In accordance with section 2002 of The Administrative Code of 1929 establishing the Department, an Environmental Assessment (EA) has been developed for the subject project. 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. The EA and EA Response to Comment Report have been independently evaluated by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and determined to discuss adequately and accurately the need, environmental issues and impacts of the proposed project and appropriate mitigation measures. Based on the EA, the FHWA has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for the project.
Based upon studies, there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the Section 2002 resources for the proposed action and the project is planned to minimize harm to the Section 2002 resources. Mitigation measures will be taken to minimize harm as stipulated in the EA.
GEORGE W. MCAULEY, P.E.,
Acting Director
Bureau of Project Delivery[Pa.B. Doc. No. 13-1409. Filed for public inspection July 26, 2013, 9:00 a.m.]
