| Update on the Alternatives
(click map to view a larger version)
Since the last public meeting held in November 2003, the project
team has been working on collecting detailed field data on resources
such as wetlands, historic properties, streams, and mining. As a
result of that information, the team has refined alternatives to
avoid as many of the
resources as possible while still meeting the needs of the project.
In addition, another alternative (Alternative AE) has been proposed
as a result of the project’s public and agency outreach efforts
and one alternative (Alternative A) may no longer being considered.
Here is a recap of the alternatives:
Alternative A:
Alternative A begins at Hunsrick Summit and parallels existing U.S.
219 to the east. The northern portion of
Alternative A stays close to and parallels U.S. 219 until just south
of Salisbury. At that point, Alternative A crosses over existing
U.S. 219 and continues to parallel U.S. 219 to the west side. This
alternative ties into I-68 just west of the existing Exit 22 interchange.
Alternative A was shifted to avoid the Alverno Friary property and
attempts were made to minimize impacts to farming operations. However,
this alternative was not favored at the last public meeting and
there were concerns over the projects impacts to farming operations,
homes, and historic resources. As a result, the project team may
decide not to carry this alternative forward into the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS).
The DEIS is required by the Federal Highway Administration in order
to approve an alternative for construction. This document details
all of the alternatives under consideration and their impacts. Impacts
for Alternative A and the other alternatives under consideration
are presented in the Impact Matrix. Additionally, the Pro/Con Table
details the reasons why Alternative A may no longer be studied.
Alternative D:
Alternative D begins at Hunsrick Summit and follows along the western
foot of Meadow Mountain until Engles Mills. At that point, Alternative
D travels in a southwesterly direction across the Piney Creek Valley
and crosses over U.S. 219 in about the same place as Alternative
A. Once it crosses over U.S. 219, it follows the same alignment
as Alternative A south to I-68.
Alternative D has been shifted since it was presented at the November
2003 public meeting in order to reduce or eliminate impacts where
possible. Shifts to reduce impacts to farming operations and historic
resources were accomplished.
Alternative E:
Alternative E starts at Hunsrick Summit and follows along
the western foot of Meadow Mountain in Pennsylvania. At the Pennsylvania/Maryland
border, Alternative E travels in a southwesterly direction east
of existing U.S. 219. Alternative E ties into I-68 just east of
the existing interchange.
Since the public meeting, the location of Alternative E has shifted
slightly west toward existing U.S. 219 in the Maryland section to
reduce impacts to the Little Meadows Historic Site. Alternative
E was also shifted slightly north near its crossing of the state
line to avoid a wetland complex and beaver pond.
Alternative AE:
Alternative AE was developed during the detailed studies in an attempt
to minimize the impact of Alternative E on the Little Meadows Historic
Site, a resource listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966
requires that alternatives to avoid use of historic resources be
developed and analyzed. Alternative AE is a combination of the northern
section of Alternative E from Hunsrick Summit to approximately the
state line. This section of Alternative E was favored by the public
at the November 2003 public meeting and avoids all Section 4(f)
resources in Pennsylvania. At the state line, Alternative AE diverges
from Alternative E and heads westward, crossing existing U.S. 219
just south of the state line. The alignment then follows Alternative
D south to I-68.
The following tables provide a comparison of the impacts for
Alternatives A, D, E and AE. The Pro/Con Table displays the positive
and negative aspects of each alternative. Click on the image to
view a larger version of the table in a separate window.
NOTE: This matrix has been updated since the release of the Fall 2004 Newsletter
  
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