DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Finding Franklin County [40 Pa.B. 4359]
[Saturday, July 31, 2010]Under section 2002(b) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 512(b)), the Director of the Bureau of Design makes the following written finding:
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Department of Transportation (Department) are planning the replacement of the existing bridge carrying SR 4007 (Back Road) over the Narrows Branch of Tuscarora Creek in Fannett Township, Franklin County.
The existing two-span, stone masonry, closed spandrel arch bridge, built in 1832, was determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places during the Statewide bridge survey. The continued failure of the walls has lead to a repair consisting of the removal of earthen fill over the arch barrels and the incremental placement of concrete within the confines of the arch barrels and spandrel walls. The bonding of the concrete and spandrel walls consequently has rendered rehabilitation of the bridge not feasible without resulting in further damage to the structure. The masonry arch spans have numerous random cracks in the gunite coating with exposed wire mesh. In 1981, the bridge abutments and pier were underpinned with concrete. A section of the spandrel wall over the center pier on the north side was repaired in-kind after it collapsed in 1996. The bridge has been repaired many times. It is no longer prudent and feasible to rehabilitate the bridge. Replacement of the SR 4007 (Back Road) over the Narrows Branch of Tuscarora Creek will constitute a use of the Section 2002 resource.
In accordance with section 2002 of The Administrative Code of 1929 establishing the Department, a Level-2 Categorical Exclusion Evaluation (CEE) has been developed for the subject project along with a Nationwide/Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Projects that Necessitate the Use of Historic Bridges form to evaluate the potential environmental impacts caused by the subject project. The document also serves as the Section 2002 Evaluation. The approved documents are available in the CE/EA Expert System. 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.
Based upon studies, there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the Section 2002 resource for the proposed action. Mitigation measures will be taken to minimize harm as stipulated in the Level-2 CEE.
BRIAN G. THOMPSON, P. E.,
Director
Bureau of Design[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-1408. Filed for public inspection July 30, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]
