​THIS MEETING IS CANCELLED.

Environmental Assessment, online project materials available for review with an in-person public hearing scheduled for May 18, 2022.

Allentown, PA –  The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will host a Public Hearing and receive public comment in-person, online and by mail on an Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared for the I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridge Project in Carbon and Luzerne counties.

The I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridge Project is a candidate for bridge tolling through the Major Bridge Public-Private Partnership (MBP3) Initiative, as part of the PennDOT Pathways Program. The Pathways program seeks to identify potential alternative funding solutions for transportation in the state. Under the initiative, tolls collected would be used for the replacement bridges’ construction, maintenance and operation.

The in-person Public Hearing will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 18, 2022 at Mountain Laurel Resort, 81 Treetops Circle, White Haven, PA 18661. An open house display on the project will begin at 3:30 p.m. with public testimony starting at 4:30 p.m. All materials that will be presented during the open house, including a project overview, maps, low-income tolling details, diversion route improvements and EA documents, will be available online at www.penndot.gov/i80LehighRiverBridge from May 3 to June 2, 2022.

PennDOT and FHWA encourage the public to review and comment on the EA during this 30-day period. The EA will be available at physical locations listed at the end of this news release and online until 11:59 p.m. June 2, 2022 at www.penndot.gov/i80LehighRiverBridge. All comments will receive equal consideration regardless of the method of submission, whether they are provided verbally in person, in writing, via email, through U.S. mail or by way of an online comment form.

The EA, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, examines the significance of potential impacts to natural, social, economic, and cultural resources from this project and alternatives under consideration. It will determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement would be prepared, or a Finding of No Significant Impact would be issued.

The I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridges, which cross over the Lehigh River, Lehigh Gorge State Park, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad and SR 1005 (River Road) in Carbon and Luzerne Counties, are aging and reaching the end of their serviceable lifespan. The proposed project will address the deterioration of the aging bridge structures and provide safe connectivity for interstate travelers, commuters, commercial users, emergency services, tourists, and local residents.

As previously announced in advance of a public meeting on this project in November and December 2021, PennDOT will pursue one-way tolling at the I-80 Lehigh River Bridge, meaning traffic would only be tolled eastbound at this location.

The public has numerous options to provide comments on this EA:

• Testimony will be received at the in-person hearings before an audience with a stenographer. Those providing testimony are asked to register in advance at  www.penndot.gov/i80LehighRiverBridge or by calling 570-793-2045. Oral testimony will be limited to five minutes per participant and the number of slots will depend on available time.
• Individuals may provide testimony privately in a separate hearing room with a stenographer.
• Written comments may be brought to the in-person hearing, completed at the event and deposited in a comment box, or mailed to: PennDOT District 5, Attn: I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridge Project, 1002 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101.
• Comments may be emailed to i80LehighRiverBridge@pa.gov.  
• The public may provide comments through the form available online at www.penndot.gov/i80LehighRiverBridge.
• Comment forms will be provided at the in-person Public Hearing and at locations where the EA is available for review.

The locations where the public can review a physical copy of the EA documents are:

• White Haven Area Community Library (121 Towanda St, White Haven, 18661)
• East Side Borough (100 North Sheaman Road, White Haven, 18661)
• PennDOT District 5 Office (1002 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101)
• FHWA Pa. Division (228 Walnut Street, Room 508, Harrisburg, PA 17101)
The public hearing location is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Anyone requiring additional information or special assistance to participate in the hearing can reach out via the project email at i80LehighRiverBridge@pa.gov or hotline number, 570-793-2045, by May 13, 2022 to coordinate arrangements.

Those who would like to request translation services can reach out via the project email at i80LehighRiverBridge@pa.gov or hotline number, 570-793-2045.
Si usted desea solicitar servicios de traducción, por favor contacte al correo electrónico del proyecto i80LehighRiverBridge@pa.gov o llame a la línea directa del proyecto 570-793-2045.

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