Question 1

I wanted to express my opposition to the removal of the access road in front of my home. For added context I live on North Street. I’ve been on this block for 20 years and the access road has enabled us to have gatherings at our residence with ease. We are the only street along the project area that is not suitable for parking cars. I have a small driveway and no garage, removal of the access road in front of North Street would make parking impossible for events that we may have. I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope that this will be taken into consideration. In addition, if a sound barrier were to be considered for in front of North Street would it be possible for them to be transparent so that our view would not be obstructed and lead to the street having an enclosed feeling?

Sean Bergmaier · Accepted Answer

The preferred alternative removes the portion of the service road parallel to North Street.  This area will be used for stormwater conveyance in the build condition along with a potential multi-use trail.  A traffic noise study is being completed for the project in accordance with PennDOT’s Publication 24: Project Level Highway Traffic Noise Handbook. If warranted, feasible, and reasonable, noise walls will be proposed as part of this project. In areas where noise walls are proposed, the benefited members of the community will have a vote on whether to accept the noise wall.  A simple majority will determine whether a potential proposed noise wall will be incorporated into the project. PennDOT will need to consider whether a transparent noise wall may be included as an option prior to the property owner vote.  Similar transparent noise walls typically require more maintenance cost and can pose issues for birds.

Question 2

I wanted to express my opposition to the removal of the access road in front of my home. For added context I live on North Street. I’ve been on this block for 20 years and the access road has enabled us to have gatherings at our residence with ease. We are the only street along the project area that is not suitable for parking cars. I have a small driveway and no garage, removal of the access road in front of North Street would make parking impossible for events that we may have. I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope that this will be taken into consideration. In addition, if a sound barrier were to be considered for in front of North Street would it be possible for them to be transparent so that our view would not be obstructed and lead to the street having an enclosed feeling?

Sean Bergmaier · Accepted Answer

The preferred alternative removes the portion of the service road parallel to North Street.  This area will be used for stormwater conveyance in the build condition along with a potential multi-use trail.  A traffic noise study is being completed for the project in accordance with PennDOT’s Publication 24: Project Level Highway Traffic Noise Handbook. If warranted, feasible, and reasonable, noise walls will be proposed as part of this project. In areas where noise walls are proposed, the benefited members of the community will have a vote on whether to accept the noise wall.  A simple majority will determine whether a potential proposed noise wall will be incorporated into the project. PennDOT will need to consider whether a transparent noise wall may be included as an option prior to the property owner vote.  Similar transparent noise walls typically require more maintenance cost and can pose issues for birds.