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Environmental Impact Statement: Somerset County, Pennsylvania

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: April 26, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 81)]
[Notices]
[Page 21039]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26ap01-144]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement: Somerset County, Pennsylvania

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an
Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a proposed highway
project in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David W. Cough, P.E., Director of
Operations, Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Division
Office, 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1720, (717) 221-3411 or
David L. Sherman, P.E., Project Manager, Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation, District 9-0, 1620 North Juniata Street, Hollidaysburg,
Pennsylvania, 16648, (814) 696-7172.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to identify and evaluate
alternatives for the transportation improvement of a 15.2 mile section
of U.S. 219 between the northern terminus of the Meyersdale Bypass
(upgraded U.S. 219) and the existing four-lane section of U.S. 219 near
the Borough of Somerset, Pennsylvania. A partial realignment of the
last mile of the existing four-lane section of U.S. 219 near Somerset
may also be considered. Included in the overall project will be the
identification of a range of alternatives that meet the project need
and supporting environmental documentation and analysis to recommend a
preferred alternative for implementation. A complete public involvement
program is part of the project.
    Based on a needs analysis completed in 1999, improvements to U.S.
219 are needed between Somerset, Pennsylvania and I-68 in Maryland
based on deficient levels of service for most roadway segments;
accident rates higher than the statewide average; geometric features
which do not meet current design standards; increased travel times and
delays; less efficient system linkage for motorists traveling between
the four-lane section of U.S. 219 or the PA Turnpike (I-70/76) in
Somerset and I-68 in Maryland; insufficient access to local
communities; and significant contributing factor in limiting economic
development.
    Possible alternatives to the proposed project include: no build;
transportation system management (TSM); relocation to the eastern
portion of the study area, west of Berlin; relocation to the west in
the vicinity of the Garrett Shortcut; and one additional alternative
not yet defined. These alternatives will be the basis for a
recommendation of alternative to be carried forward for detailed
environmental and engineering studies in the EIS. Incorporated into and
studied with the various alternatives will be design variations of
grade and alignment.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will
be sent to appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, and to
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are
known to have interest in this proposal. Public meetings will be held
in the area throughout the study process. Public involvement and agency
coordination will be maintained throughout the development of the EIS.
    To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues are identified,
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties.
Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS
should be directed to PennDOT at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulation implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this program).
James A. Cheatham,
FHWA Division Administrator, Harrisburg, PA.
[FR Doc. 01-10304 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-M

 
 

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