PENNDOT Develops Alternatives

Improvements to U.S. 219

Seven alternatives have been developed to meet the needs identified for the U.S. 219 corridor in Somerset County. In addition to the No Build Alternative, six corridor alternatives were developed, four on new alignments and two along existing U.S. 219. All of the study corridors extend from the north end of the Meyersdale Bypass to the south end of the existing four-lane section of U.S. 219 at Somerset.

The following provides a brief description of the corridors that have been evaluated. This map provides a visual of the four alignments.

No Build (i.e., "Do Nothing"): Assumes that no measures, other than normal routine maintenance, will be undertaken to improve the safety and capacity problems of existing U.S. 219. Does not meet project needs.

Transportation System Management (TSM): TSM would improve safety and capacity by implementing non-traditional improvements/techniques (i.e., transit, carpooling, park & ride, etc.) and limited

construction improvements (i.e., intersection turn lanes, signalization, one-way street system, etc.) TSM usually has more of a positive effect in densely populated urban areas. Does not meet project needs.

Upgrade of Existing Roadways: Upgrades were studied for both U.S. 219 and the Garrett Shortcut. Widening and realignment are needed throughout the study area. Truck lanes are also needed. Impacts to homes and businesses would be dramatic. Does not meet all project needs.

Corridor A: Easternmost corridor, crossing existing U.S. 219 approximately 4 miles north of Garrett, in the vicinity of Beachdale. It provides access to Berlin from an interchange at either S.R. 3010 or existing U.S. 219 and is the longest alignment studied at approximately 11.4 miles. It travels primarily through farmland in the southern section and a mix of farmland and forest area in the northern section.

Corridor B: Crosses over existing U.S. 219 northwest of Garrett. It provides access to Berlin from an interchange at S.R. 3010 and is one of the shortest alignments at 10.2 miles long. It passes through less farmland than Corridor A and about the same amount of forest area.

Corridor C: Same as Corridor B, except for about 5 miles in center of study area. It provides access to Berlin from an interchange at S.R. 3010 and is the shortest alignment at 10.1 miles long. It travels through less farmland and forest area than Corridor B, but has higher impact to previously mined areas.

Corridor D: Developed from alignment originally proposed by PENNDOT in the mid-1970s. PENNDOT had prepared design plans for this alignment and had purchased some right-of-way within the corridor. It crosses over existing U.S. 219 just south of Beachdale and provides access to Berlin from an interchange at either S.R. 3010 or existing U.S. 219. It is 11.4 miles long and has high impacts to farmlands, but the least impacts to forested areas compared to the other corridors.

What's Next?

After the Public Meeting, PENNDOT and G&O will be compiling the comments received from the Public Meeting, local public officials, and the various State and Federal agencies, to determine which of the preliminary alternatives will be eliminated from further study and which will be carried into the next phase of the project for more analysis.

After alternatives have been selected for further analysis, detailed environmental studies will be performed and detailed alignments will be developed and refined. These studies will be documented in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The Draft EIS will describe potential impacts to the natural, social, and cultural environment associated with each alternative. Once the Draft EIS is completed, the document will be distributed to all consulting agencies, and any interested individuals from the public sector. The agencies and the public will be given the opportunity to comment on the document. After agency and public review of the Draft EIS, a preferred alternative will be selected.

This process will take approximately one year. Throughout this time, PENNDOT will be requesting input from the public and environmental agencies. This input is critical to the process of selecting the best alignment.