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SOUTHERN BELTWAY TRANSPORTATION PROJECT U.S. ROUTE 22 TO INTERSTATE 79
KEY SOUTHERN BELTWAY COMPONENT BETWEEN FINDLAY CONNECTOR AND
INTERSTATE 79 RECEIVES FEDERAL APPROVAL, ADVANCES TO FINAL DESIGN
Please click here for the Record
of Decision pdf document.
Environmental clearance has been issued for the 13.3-mile project that would
extend the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's Southern Beltway system south and
east from the Turnpike 576 terminus at U.S. Route 22 in Robinson Township,
Washington County to a new interchange with Interstate 79 at the
Allegheny-Washington County line near the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs'
National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
signed the Record of Decision for the estimated $660 million project Wednesday,
Sept. 3.
FHWA's action formally designates the B-2 Alternative as the Selected
Alternative and allows the Turnpike Commission to proceed with final
design and right-of-way acquisition. Final design, which includes the completion
of right-of-way requirements, is the detailed engineering necessary to advance
the project to construction.
"This component of the proposed beltway system would establish a seamless,
20-mile expressway connection between I-79 and Pittsburgh International Airport
and an important transportation link into the airport corridor from key
locations in Allegheny and Washington counties," said Turnpike Chief Executive
Officer Joe Brimmeier.
Brimmeier noted the Turnpike already has contracted with three engineering firms
(Mackin, Greenhorne & O'Mara and PB Americas) for final design services and that
the commission also has approved a two-year agreement under which Orion Land
Services of Apollo, PA will serve as its agent for the acquisition of required
right-of-way.
Orion Land Services is expected to open a local field office in the near future
and will begin formal notification of affected property owners and residents.
The right-of-way acquisition process likely will begin in the Fall.
The B-2 Alternative traverses Robinson Township, Cecil Township, and a small
piece of Mount Pleasant Township in Washington County, and South Fayette
Township in Allegheny County.
In addition to the interchanges at U.S. Route 22 and I-79, interchanges on the
B-2 Alternative would be built at a relocated Beech Hollow Road, at a new
connector road between PA Route 980 and Fort Cherry Road and at a relocated
Cecil-Sturgeon Road that would provide access to PA Route 50 via a relocated
Cecil-Reissing Road.
Improvements east of I-79 in Cecil Township, Washington County would include the
construction of turning lanes at the intersection of Baker Road and Morgan Road
and work on Morganza Road to accommodate new ramps that will connect it directly
to the Southern Beltway and I-79.
The purpose of the project is to enhance transportation mobility and safety and
to serve and support existing and planned growth in a corridor south and west of
the Pittsburgh regional hub by improving access and the movement of people and
goods.
Estimates based on preliminary engineering performed during the environmental
study phase of the project show approximately 105 residential displacements
(including 72 in Cecil Township and 21 in South Fayette Township) and
approximately 11 business displacement.
Other estimated impacts of the project include 92 acres of productive
agricultural lands (62 of which are used for temporary grazing) and 72 separate
wetland sites encompassing 7.45 acres of wetlands.
As they fine tune the Selected Alternative, engineers will try to further reduce
or avoid environmental impacts.
Traffic volumes on the new tolled expressway are estimated at close to 30,000
trips per day by 2030.
"We believe this roadway will attract more vehicles more quickly than any of the
Turnpike Commission's post-1990 expansion projects in the Pittsburgh region,"
Brimmeier stated.
"The sooner this roadway gets built the better," he added. "When opened, this
project will take a lot of pressure off of the I-79 Bridgeville interchange and
will reduce traffic significantly on overburdened and undersized highways like
Route 980."
FINAL DESIGN AND
RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION PROCEEDING FOR U.S. ROUTE
22 TO I-79 SOUTHERN BELTWAY PROJECT
With the completion of the preliminary engineering and
environmental studies for the U.S. Route 22 to I-79 Southern
Beltway project, the Turnpike Commission is now proceeding with
the Final Design and Right-of-Way phases of the project.
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed
Southern Beltway Project from U.S. Route 22 to I-79 was
previously made available for public review and comment from
Friday, September 29th through Thursday, November 9, 2006.
Copies of the document, which also included a Section 404 Permit
Application required by the Federal Clean Water Act, were
available for public review at local municipal offices, area
libraries and other locations.
The FEIS identified the B-2 Alternative (approximately 13.3
miles long) as the Preferred Alternative for the project. This
project would extend the Southern Beltway system from the
southern terminus of the Findlay Connector passing to the south
of the McDonald area to a new interchange with I-79 between the
existing Bridgeville and Southpointe interchanges.
(Refer to the
Maps and Illustrations to view the project area map and
Preferred Alternative – B-2 Alternative
In addition to the interchanges at U.S. Route 22 and I-79,
interchanges on the B-2 Alternative would be built at a
relocated Beech
Hollow Road, at a new connector road
between PA Route 980 and Fort Cherry Road and at a relocated Cecil-Sturgeon Road
that would provide access to PA Route 50 via a relocated Cecil-Reissing Road.
The FEIS included a refinement to the project’s interchange with
Interstate 79 in order to address concerns about visual impacts
to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery
of the Alleghenies. The new interchange layout also addresses
the local community’s concern by providing roadway access from Morganza Road to the new Beltway.
During the public comment period for the FEIS, seven comment
letters were received from public agencies, municipal
organizations, and the general public. All comments received
during the comment period were evaluated and responses prepared
as part of the Record of Decision document.
With the FEIS for the project completed, the project is now in
the Final Design phase. During Final Design, the B-2 Alternative
design will be further refined. As part of the Final Design
process, the exact involvement of properties required for the
highway right-of-way will be established. It is anticipated that
appraisals and negotiations for properties required for this
project will begin in the Fall of 2008.
FINAL EIS READY FOR SOUTHERN BELTWAY PROJECT FROM U.S. ROUTE 22 TO INTERSTATE 79
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Southern Beltway Project from U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79 will be available for public review and comment from Friday, Sept. 29 through Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006.
Copies of the document, which also includes a Section 404 Permit application required by the federal Clean Water Act, are available for public review at local municipal offices, area libraries and other locations.
The three-volume package can be obtained in CD-ROM format, for $5.30, by sending a written request to Thomas A. Fox, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Western Regional Office, 220 North Center Avenue, New Stanton, PA 15672-9602. Checks should be made payable to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
The FEIS identifies the B-2 Alternative (approximately 13.3 miles long) as the Preferred Alternative for the project, which would extend the Southern Beltway system south and east from the southern terminus of the Findlay Connector through the McDonald area to new tie-ins with Interstate 79 between the existing Bridgeville and Southpointe interchanges.
The B-2 Alternative traverses Robinson Township, Cecil Township, and a small piece of Mount Pleasant Township in Washington County, and South Fayette Township in Allegheny County. Alternatives designated as B-1 and B-3 also were studied in detail.
In addition to the interchanges at U.S. Route 22 and I-79, interchanges on the B-2 Alternative would be built at a relocated Beech Hollow Road, at a new connector road between PA Route 980 and Fort Cherry Road and at a relocated Cecil-Sturgeon Road that would provide access to PA Route 50 via a relocated Cecil-Reissing Road.
The purpose of the project is to enhance transportation mobility and safety and to serve and support existing and planned growth in a corridor south and west of the Pittsburgh regional hub by improving access and the movement of people and goods.
This is one of three independent but interconnected Southern Beltway projects that would form a seamless, 32-mile tolled expressway linking Pittsburgh International Airport, Interstate 79 and the Mon/Fayette Expressway (Turnpike Route 43) near Finleyville.
Since circulation of the DEIS, the project’s junction with I-79 has been refined from a three-level to a two-level interchange to address concerns about visual impacts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery of the Alleghenies and local roadway access to the new beltway.
Written comments on the FEIS should be sent to David P. Willis, Environmental Manager, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676.
Written comments concerning the Section 404 permit application should be submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Regulatory Branch, Fred Pozzuto – Project Manager, 1834 Federal Office Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
The technical files for the project are available for review at the Turnpike Commission’s Western Regional Office in New Stanton. Arrangements to review the files can be made by calling Roberta Rudolph at 724-755-5123.
Approval of the FEIS and the issuance of a Record of Decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration would allow the Turnpike Commission to proceed with final design of the Selected Alternative and the acquisition of required rights-of-way.
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING FEBRUARY 9, 2005
SUMMARY
A Joint Public Hearing was held on February 9, 2005 following the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Section 404 Permit Application for the Southern Beltway Transportation Project from U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79. The purpose of the public Hearing was to allow citizens to provide comments regarding the DEIS/Section 404 Permit Application.
The release of the Southern Beltway U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79 DEIS and the Joint Public Hearing were advertised with block advertisements and legal notices in the following newspapers: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Washington Observer-Reporter, Valley Independent and the Almanac. The block advertisements and legal notices appeared in each publication two times. A notice was published in the Federal Register on December 30, 2004. The DEIS and hearing were also advertised in the Winter 2005 Issue of the Mon/Fayette and Southern Beltway Newsletter. These notices have been made part of the official record. Letters were sent to the federal and state legislators, county and local public officials, the Mon/Fayette and Southern Beltway Executive Committee, environmental resource agencies, landowners, and interested citizens. These letters included a flyer announcing the open house plans display, Joint Public Hearing and locations to review the DEIS and addresses where comments should be forwarded. A project location map was also included.
Four hundred fifty-eight persons (458) registered at the Public Hearing. As attendees arrived, they registered and received a public hearing brochure. The brochure described the project needs, project background, description of alternatives, right-of-way acquisition procedures, environmental analysis, description of the public hearing, locations where the DEIS/Section 404 Permit Application was available for review, and where comments would be sent by the end of the comment period (February 25, 2005).
An open house area was available to allow citizens an opportunity to review the findings and ask questions regarding the DEIS, review supporting documents and review plans of the alternatives considered in the detailed studies.
The DEIS comment period ended on February 25, 2005. Eighteen (18) people provided public or private testimony. A total of 41 written comments on the project were received, 23 written testimony forms were submitted, and 12 comments were received from the public after the close of the comment period.
The project team will be addressing comments received on the DEIS and comments received at the Public Hearing. All substantive comments will be responded to and will be presented in a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Public distribution of the FEIS is anticipated for the Spring of 2006.
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE COMMISSION SOUTHERN BELTWAY U.S. ROUTE 22 TO INTERSTATE 79
I-79 INTERCHANGE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP JULY 2005
The purpose of this community workshop was to provide for public participation in the cooperative process regarding the development of alternative designs for the Interstate 79 Interchange. As a result of the comments received on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and at the public hearing held for the project, as well as additional engineering studies, the design for the I-79 Interchange had been revised (DEIS/revisedinterchange graphics). Those residents living in the vicinity of the interchange area were invited to review the changes and have an opportunity to ask questions and provide input before the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the project is completed. The workshop also updated the public on property impacts and environmental analysis.
This workshop was held in an open house format to provide the public the opportunity to review the information on the project and ask questions.
| Date & Time |
Location & Street Address |
Attendance |
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Open House: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
Cecil Municipal Building
Millers Run Road – Route 50 Cecil, PA |
69 |
Letters of invitation to the workshop were mailed to the public officials representing the area, and to the residents/property owners living in the communities that are directly impacted by the Southern Beltway/I-79 Interchange.
The meeting was held in an open house format including:
Registration area
Introduction Area
Alternatives Studied in Detail for the Southern Beltway Transportation Projects from U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79 and from Interstate 79 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway
Previously Considered Interchange Design
Proposed Interchange Design
PowerPoint Presentation Area
Right-of-Way Information Area
Comments and questions were responded to during the formal presentation, and seven (7) questionnaires were returned from the workshop, including comments on: property acquisition, project funding, changes to the noise environment, stormwater runoff, and specific requests for project mapping.
Draft EIS Released
Public hearing set for Southern Beltway Project from
U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79 The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Southern Beltway Project from U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79 will be available for public review and comment for a 57-day period beginning Friday, Dec. 31, 2004.
The document, including a Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit Application, will be available for review December 31, 2004, through February 25, 2005, at local municipal offices and other public locations. The comment period for the DEIS will close at 4 pm Friday, Feb. 25.
The DEIS is a detailed evaluation of three alternatives (B-1, B-2 and B-3) for a new limited-access toll road that would extend the Southern Beltway system south and east from the southern end of the now-under-construction Findlay Connector at U.S. Route 22 in Robinson Township, Washington County to Interstate 79 at the border of Cecil Township, Washington County and South Fayette Township, Allegheny County.
A No-Build Alternative also is evaluated in the DEIS, which identifies the 12.9-mile B-2 Alternative as the Recommended Preferred Alternative for the project. However, a Preferred Alternative will not be determined until all comments on the DEIS are fully evaluated.
B-2 traverses Robinson Township, Cecil Township, and a small piece of Mount Pleasant Township in Washington County, and South Fayette Township in Allegheny County.
The three alternatives vary in the McDonald and Midway areas. B-1 passes McDonald to the northeast while B-2 bypasses McDonald to the southwest. B-3 also passes southwest of McDonald, and is closer to Midway.
In addition to the interchanges at U.S. Route 22 and I-79 at the termini for the project, there are three intermediate interchanges with each alternative. B-2Øs intermediate interchanges are at a relocated Beech Hollow Road, a new connector road between Pa. Route 980 and Fort Cherry Road, and at a relocated Cecil-Sturgeon Road that would provide access to Pa. Route 50 via a relocated Cecil-Reissing Road.
In part, the B-2 Alternative is identified as the Recommended Preferred Alternative because:
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it is the alternative most consistent with local municipal comprehensive plans and is consistent with planned updates to local municipal zoning and land use regulations.
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it would require an estimated 76 residential displacements, the same as
B-3 but 27 fewer than B-1.
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it would not require any property on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places nor any publicly owned recreation areas.
Construction costs for B-2 are estimated at $284 million, compared to $271 million for B-1 and $291 million for B-3. Eight businesses would be displaced with B-2, compared to seven with B-1 and nine for B-3.
Written comments on the DEIS should be sent to David P. Willis, Environmental Manager, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676. Written comments on the Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit Application should be submitted to Fred Pozzuto, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch, 1000 Liberty Avenue, 1834 Federal Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Comments also can be presented in the form of oral or written testimony during a joint public hearing/open house on the DEIS to be held from 5 to 9 pm Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005 at Canon-McMillan High School. Formal testimony can be given orally in public, orally in private with transcription by a stenographer, on tape, and in written form. No comments will be accepted by e-mail.
Formal presentations by the Turnpike Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin at 6 pm and will be followed immediately by public oral testimony. Public oral testimony will be limited to five minutes per person. Written comments in support of public oral testimony can be presented.
Persons wishing to present public oral testimony should contact Lisa Yackovich prior to the hearing, by telephone at 724-755-5261 or by mail at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Western Regional Office, 2200 North Center Avenue, New Stanton, PA 15672-9602. Ms. Yackovich also should be contacted to arrange special accommodations for people with disabilities.
The DEIS can be purchased by mail in CD-ROM form for $5.30. Buyers should send a written request and check made payable to Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to Susan Jones at the commissionØs New Stanton address.
The technical files for the project are available for review at the Turnpike CommissionØs Western Regional Office in New Stanton. Arrangements can be made by calling Roberta Rudolph at 724-755-5123.
After reviewing comments on the DEIS the Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will prepare and circulate a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for public review and comment.
Click here for Joint Public Hearing Notice in Adobe PDF format.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Southern Beltway U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79
Public Meeting Summary
An Open House Public Meeting was held Thursday, December 11, 2003 at the Cecil Intermediate School from 5 to 9 P.M. A total of 365 persons attended this meeting.
This public meeting was held to present all the alternatives under consideration for the project, the impacts associated with each of the alternatives and to obtain input on the alternatives as the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is being prepared. The B-2 Alternative was presented as the Recommended Preferred Alternative; however, public input from this meeting will be considered regarding this recommendation before the DEIS is completed. Information regarding the effects on historic and archaeological resources was also provided pursuant to Section 106 requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act. Right-of-Way specialists were also available at the meeting to answer questions. Information received from the public will assist the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in evaluating the alternatives and will be considered in future development of the project.
The meeting was held in an open house format to provide the public with an opportunity to review the information on the project, ask questions, and provide input. An information brochure, which presented specific project information and a questionnaire for the public to make comments, were provided to all attendees. (A copy of this brochure can be obtained by clicking on the brochure button below.) Seven distinct information areas were available to provide the public with project information. These areas included:
Introduction Area
This area provided introductory information on the Transportation Project Development Process and the status of all of the Mon/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway Projects.
Preliminary Alternatives Area
This area outlined all the alternatives that have been studied for this project. One set of plans was provided, as well as a board with bullet points of reasons why some of the preliminary alternatives were not carried forward for detailed study.
Alternatives Studied in Detail and Environmental Analysis Area
This station outlined the alternatives currently being studied in detail for the project, and provided an environmental impact summary table. In addition, traffic information was available for review in this area. (A map of the alternatives studied in detail can be found on the Maps and Illustrations tab of this website.)
PowerPoint Presentation Area
In this area, a study team member narrated and answered questions during a PowerPoint Presentation, which outlined the project alternatives on aerial photography. (This PowerPoint can be seen on the Photos tab of this website.)
Southern Beltway from I-79 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway Area
Mapping for the Southern Beltway from I-79 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway was available for review in this area with a study team member to assist attendees and answer questions regarding this project.
Right-of-Way Information Area
In this area, right-of-way specialists were available to discuss right-of-way acquisition procedures with landowners. Right-of-Way booklets were also distributed. A list of property owners in the project corridor was available, sorted both by last name and by parcel number. Mapping of each alternative, showing the limits of the required right-of-way, was available for review.
Public Involvement and Comment Area
Public information material was available in this area, as well as tables where attendees could complete their questionnaires. Fact sheets on the various other Mon/Fayette and Southern Beltway Projects were also available in this area, as well as previous issues of the Mon/Fayette and Southern Beltway Newsletter.
For additional information regarding the public meeting please contact mssbinfo@paturnpike.com or 1-800-585-2996.
Click here for Public Meeting Handout in Adobe PDF format.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) anticipates releasing the Environmental Document in the winter of 2004 for public review and comment. Following the release of this document, a 45-day public comment period will be provided during which environmental resource agencies and the general public will have an opportunity to provide written comments on the environmental document and its findings.
Following the circulation of the document, a Public Hearing will be held. The purpose of this Public Hearing is to afford the public the opportunity to comment on the Environmental Document for the Southern Beltway Project from U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79 Transportation Project. The meeting will be an open forum at which an official transcript of the proceedings is kept. The Public Hearing is anticipated to be held for this project in early 2005. The date, time, and location of this Hearing will be posted here and publicly advertised at a later date.
All public comments received on the Environmental Document will be addressed and submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for their information and consideration prior to issuing environmental clearance for the project.
Based on an evaluation of the environmental impacts of the various alternatives, the results of the municipal coordination, public input, and consideration of input from the environmental resource agencies, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has identified the B-2 Alternative in the Environmental Document as the Recommended Preferred Alternative. The final selection of an alternative will not be made until all comments on the Environmental Document and the testimony from the public hearing have been fully evaluated.
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U.S. Route 22 to I-79 - Latest News