Natural Environment

Noise Studies

A traffic noise assessment is currently underway as part of the environmental clearance activities for the I-95/US 322 Interchange project. The project team is conducting a traffic noise analysis in accordance with state and federal guidelines with the goal of identifying where traffic noise abatement would be considered warranted, feasible, and reasonable. The warranted, feasible, and reasonable criteria are the basis of the PennDOT traffic noise regulations, and are outlined in PennDOT’s Publication 24: Project Level Highway Traffic Noise Handbook (May 2007) and Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 772 (23 CFR Part 772). If barriers are warranted, feasible, and reasonable, the specific location, dimension and type of barrier will be determined through noise and engineering studies. The results of these studies will be shared with the public and residents who live along I-95 in the project vicinity.

The following tasks have been completed to-date:

A field view of the project area was conducted in conjunction with an analysis of tax maps and aerial photos to identify locations of noise sensitive land use. Noise sensitive land use was then organized into Noise Study Areas (NSAs). Noise monitoring data was recorded at representative sites within the NSAs, along with other data such as traffic volumes, speeds, and vehicle mix along nearby local roadways. The field data will be used to create an "acoustical snapshot" of the project area. This snapshot will be used in conjunction with other information about the roadway and local features to calibrate FHWA's Traffic Noise Model (TNM v2.5) that will predict traffic noise.
	Existing Wetlands	First Faith Baptist Church

The following tasks will be completed in the future:

For more information about how noise studies are conducted please see http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/htnoise.htm

Air Quality

Air quality studies will be conducted in the future.

Natural Resources

The following activities are being conducted:

• A delineation of wetlands within the project study area was completed in October through November 2006.
  
  
• A Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Project Environmental Review was conducted to determine the presence of Threatened and Endangered Species within the project area. A Phase I Bog Turtle Survey and plant surveys will be conducted in late 2009.
  
  
• Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act requires that special efforts be made to protect publicly owned recreational lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. A Section 4(f) Evaluation will be conducted for the Highland Gardens Historic District and the Carlton Wilson Park, both Section 4(f) resources.
  
  
• A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment was conducted in 2006 and resulted in the documentation of 12 sites within the project area that suggest the possible presence of environmentally sensitive materials. Depending on project impacts, it is recommended that Phase II investigations occur at these 12 sites during final design of this project.
  

Cultural Resources

• A Phase IA Archaeological Survey Report was conducted in 2007 which determined that only a relatively small area within the project area should be considered sensitive with regard to archaeological resources. Fourteen historic house sites were also identified. These sensitive areas will not be impacted by the project alternatives. Therefore, it is recommended that no further work be conducted at these sites.
  
  
• There is one resource in the project area that is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Determination of Effect Report to assess the impact of the project on the Historic District will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission (PHMC) for their review.