Public Meeting Held April 30, 2001

On Monday April 30, 2001, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation held a Public Official's Meeting at the Berlin-Brothersvalley School in Berlin, Pennsylvania. This meeting was followed by an Open House. Both of these meetings were held to introduce the U.S 219 Improvements project to the public and to solicit their input on possible alternatives and alignments for the improvements to U.S. 219 from Meyersdale to Somerset.

PENNDOT District 9-0 introduced the project and discussed the background and history of the project. The consultants, Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc., hired by PENNDOT, further discussed the project need and scope, and outlined the environmental studies that are being conducted for the project. Opportunities for the public involvement that have been identified and implemented to-date were also discussed.

The Public Official's meeting was opened for questions and/or comments. A representative from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like PENNDOT to balance the project with respect to impacts on resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representative further stated that an alternative that would have the least adverse impacts on fish and wildlife would be most ideal. The existing highway has already had an impact on the environment. Furthermore, the representative from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated that a limited access roadway is the safest. However, it was suggested that a lesser alternative, not necessarily the safest, would be less disruptive to the wildlife habitat and would like area residents to keep an open mind when commenting on the alternatives.

Overall, the area public officials were supportive of the project; however, there were numerous concerns with the time it will take for the entire project to be completed through construction.

Approximately 300 people attended the Open House following the Public Official's Meeting. In addition, two newspapers and two television stations were represented. Display boards were used to describe the need for the project, to outline PENNDOT's 10-step process for transportation project development, and to describe some of the environmental and cultural issues that will need to be addressed during the study phase. An aerial "fly-over" of the project area was shown, and maps were provided on which the public could indicate areas of special interest or concern to them. This website was also on display to allow attendees to familiarize themselves with the site.

According to the responses received from questionnaires and surveys, a majority of the people were in favor of the project and have been waiting years for it to be completed - some for 30 years or more. However, several attendees expressed concerns that there was not a need for the project and thought the existing road was sufficient. A further concern that was expressed from people in favor of the project was eminent domain as it relates to the selection of an alternative. Environmental issues that were of concern to proponents of the project included wetlands, endangered species, farmlands, watershed damage, and underground mines. Special interests groups that may be affected by the project were identified and include the Amish, farm communities, sportsmen/hunters, environmentalists, and elderly people.

Another area of concern was a right of way that may have been acquired by PENNDOT in the late 1960s and early 1970s and wanted to know if it would be used and how much weight it would carry in deciding the alignment of the final alternative.

PENNDOT is looking to host another public meeting sometime in the Fall 2001 and looks forward to seeing everyone there!

Contact: Dave Sherman
Phone: (814) 696-7170

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Public Meeting Held April 30, 2001