Dunmore, PA – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the North Washington Street Bridge Project within the City of Wilkes-Barre.
The selected alternative proposes a full superstructure and substructure replacement of the existing structure that carries Route 7304 (North Washington Street) over the historic Luzerne and Susquehanna Railroad (Lehigh Valley Railroad) within the City of Wilkes-Barre. The design proposes complete removal of the existing deficient structure and the construction of a single-span prestressed composite concrete adjacent box beam bridge with full height cast-in-place abutments on spread footings. The proposed structure will be located on the existing roadway horizontal alignment.
Replacement of the substructure will result in increased horizontal and vertical clearance for the railroad. The increased vertical clearance for the railroad will provide the ability for the railroad to properly maintain the railroad ballast. The proposed design incorporates drainage improvements in the form of a new parallel stormwater system along the railroad bed to correct existing water ponding issues on the tracks at the structure.
The Environmental Assessment (EA) and EA comment responses have been evaluated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and were determined to discuss adequately and accurately the needs, environmental issues and impacts of the proposed project and mitigation measures that will be taken to minimize harm as stipulated in the EA. Based on the EA, the FHWA has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for the project. The Bureau of Design and Delivery has concluded that all State environmental evaluation requirements, as published in section 2002 of the Pennsylvania Act 120 (Act 120), have been satisfied.
The North Washington Street Bridge and Lehigh Valley Railroad were determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The North Washington Street Bridge was determined to be a contributing element to the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Approximately 0.12 acre of right-of-way will be required from the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
Based on the documentation, it can be concluded that the harm to the resources has been minimized, all feasible and prudent alternatives have been explored to avoid impact upon the resources, and that the intent of section 2002, paragraph 215 of Act 120 has been fulfilled as it relates to this project.
Mitigation measures will be taken to minimize harm as stipulated in the EA. No significant environmental impact is likely to result from the proposed action.
With the issuance of the FONSI, the North Washington Street Bridge Project can now move forward into final design, right-of-way acquisition, procurement, and construction.
The EA and FONSI is available to the public upon request.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: Elizabeth Fabri, efabri@pa.gov or 570-963-3502; Jessica Ruddy, jeruddy@pa.gov or 570-963-4044
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