Proposed Transmission Line Zoo to Paoli AMTRAK

Transcription

1 Proposed Transmission Line Zoo to Paoli AMTRAK Presentation to Public Officials May 28 and May 29, 2013

2 Agenda Introductions Meeting Focus Project Background and Status Project Schedule Preliminary Design NEPA Research and Data Collection Questions and Comments Next Steps

3 Project Team Burns Engineering Lead Engineering Michael Baker Jr. Inc. Lead Environmental Stell Environmental Lead Cultural/ Historic AECOM Engineering Support

4 Meeting Focus Update on Engineering Update on NEPA process Update on Schedule Provide information in advance of public meetings

5 Project Schedule Design and Construction 15% Design Submitted February % Design November 2012 Final Design Fall 2014 Construction Spring 2015 to 2020 NEPA First round of Public Meetings June nd round of Public Meetings June 2013 Coordination with PHMC Aug 2012, Dec 2012 Categorical Exclusion December 2013

6 Project Background and Status Upper Merion Twp. Norristown Plymouth Twp. Whitemarsh Twp. Springfield Twp. East Whiteland Twp. Tredyffrin Twp. Lower Merion Twp. Philadelphia Easttown Twp. Radnor Twp. Willistown Twp. Newtown Twp. Haverford Twp. East Goshen Twp. Existing and Proposed Transmission Right of Way Map Source: PASDA Pennsylvania Atlas

7 Project Background and Status Existing Transmission Right of Way

8 Project Background and Status Existing Catenary Structures

9 Conceptual Design Similar Structures on Amtrak Northeast Corridor near Halethorpe Maryland

10 Bryn Mawr Substation: Context N

11 Conceptual Design Bryn Mawr Substation

12 Project Background and Status Existing Bryn Mawr Substation

13 Conceptual Design Paoli Substation Paoli Substation, 138 kv Structures

14 Categorical Exclusion Evaluation Evaluation of the following has been completed. Thus far, no adverse impacts have been identified. Location and Land Use Transportation (railroad & roadway traffic interruptions) Noise & Vibration Air Quality Hazardous Materials Property Acquisition Community Disruption and Environmental Justice Floodplain Impacts Wetlands Water Quality Prime and Unique Farmlands Impacts on Ecologically Sensitive Areas and Endangered Species Safety and Security Construction Impacts Indirect and cumulative impacts (activities that could result indirectly from this project)

15 Historic Resources The project is physically within the historic district entitled Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line (Philadelphia to Harrisburg), which was determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on September 14, 1995, and again on November 16, In addition to this portion of the Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line, there are 23 other previously identified NRHP-listed or -eligible historic resources in the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for historic resources. The Determination of Effects (DOE) Report concluded that the proposed project would have No Adverse Effect on 9 of the historic properties and No Effect on 14 of these historic properties. It was also concluded that the proposed project would have an Adverse Effect on the Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line. A mitigation plan to address the adverse effects to the railroad will be forthcoming.

16 Historic Resources

17 Archaeological Resources A Phase IA geomorphological and archaeological reconnaissance survey was completed for the project and no areas suitable for subsurface testing were found within the project Area of Potential Effect (APE) for archaeology. No previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the project archaeology APE, but one site is close enough to the project APE to be of concern. The mapped location of one previously recorded archaeological site is adjacent to the rail corridor near the center of the project. Field investigations to relocate the site concluded that the site is located outside the project APE and will not be impacted by project construction.. Because the actual project APE is totally located in low probability settings exhibiting previous disturbance, cuts through sloped terrain, deep fill beds, and steep slopes (>15%), no further investigation of the project area, as currently designed, is recommended.

18 Bryn Mawr Substation

19 Bryn Mawr Substation

20 Bryn Mawr Substation

21 Bryn Mawr Substation

22 Bryn Mawr Substation

23 Bryn Mawr Substation

24 Bryn Mawr Substation

25 Bryn Mawr Substation

26 Bryn Mawr Substation

27 Questions and Comments

28 Next Steps Additional comments or questions can be sent to: Concerns about historic resources: Allen Heist, Stell Environmental Enterprises, Inc. 25 East Main Street, Elverson, PA Ph: (610) FAX: (610) Concerns about overall design: Herbert H. Wescott III, P.E., Burns Engineering, Inc Market Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA Ph: x 7742 FAX: