|
Click here to download a PDF version of the Project Development Process Timeline.
Act 44 established a 50-year partnership between the PTC and PennDOT to provide an inflation sensitive, long-term funding stream for the Commonwealth’s transportation system. With this partnership established, the PTC and PennDOT submitted a joint Phase I Application to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in October 2007 requesting approval to toll Interstate 80 under the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program, which was established under TEA-21. In November, the PTC hosted a series of nine Public Meetings to introduce the project and gather information and public input. A summary of the information and input received can be found at: Public Meetings.
In response to the Phase I Application, the FHWA, in a letter dated December 12, 2007, has requested additional information. Ongoing studies, including the Traffic and Revenue Study, Environmental Inventory, and Engineering Analysis, will provide details the FHWA needs to make a more informed decision about the Phase I Application. The studies will include an inventory of all existing features and facilities associated with the 311-mile I-80 corridor. The Project Team will be looking at traffic and safety information, environmental and community features and engineering detail of the existing facility. Sensitive features will be inventoried so that needed facility reconstruction, rehabilitation and upgrades that are least intrusive to the natural, cultural and socioeconomic environment may be identified. The results of the studies are expected to be available this spring. A second round of Public Meetings will be held to present the preliminary toll plaza locations and other preliminary improvements as well as gather public input.
The collaborative process by which toll plaza locations and I-80 rehabilitation, reconstruction and improvements are being identified and evaluated will be documented in the Phase II application, which will be submitted to FHWA. As part of the Phase II application and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) the effect of this undertaking on the natural, cultural and socioeconomic environment will be assessed. This assessment will be carried out in accordance with the CEQ and FHWA implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508 and 23 CFR 771 respectively) and with all other applicable state and federal regulations pertaining to transportation projects. Once the Phase II application is approved, final design, right-of-way acquisition and construction can follow.
Click here for more information about the Environmental Decision-making Process.
|
