DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Finding Bucks County [41 Pa.B. 4922]
[Saturday, September 10, 2011]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 a project to replace the bridge carrying SR 1017 (Bridgeton Hill Road) over the Delaware Canal in Bridgeton Township, Bucks County. The project also includes reconstruction of bridge approaches with widening for shoulders, as required, updating guide rail, end treatments and drainage improvements as needed, providing appropriate mitigation, including replacement of the access to the Delaware Canal tow path and reconstruction of the northwest retaining wall (which supports the north approach to the bridge), selective signing upgrades and installation of durable pavement markings.
The Section 2002 resources involved with the project are the bridge to be replaced and the Delaware Canal. The Bridgeton Hill Road Bridge is a contributing element to the Delaware Canal. The Delaware Canal was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 29, 1974, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976. The Delaware Canal is also considered a Pennsylvania State Park and is managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The proposed project results in an Adverse Effect finding.
In accordance with Section 2002 of The Administrative Code of 1929 establishing the Department, a Level 2 Environmental Document (ED) has been developed for the subject project along with a Section 2002 Evaluation document to evaluate the potential environmental impacts caused by the subject project.
Based upon studies, there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the proposed action. Mitigation measures will be taken to minimize harm as stipulated in the Level 2 ED and the Section 2002 Evaluation document. A Memorandum of Agreement has also been signed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office and the Department.
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 the effects.
BRIAN G. THOMPSON, P.E.,
Director
Bureau of Project Delivery[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-1571. Filed for public inspection September 9, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]
