Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
08/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2024 12:11
Federal Highway Administration Issues a Finding of No Significant Impact for the PennDOT Interstate 81 Section 316 Ashley to Arena Project
Federal Highway Administration Issues a Finding of No Significant Impact for the PennDOT Interstate 81 Section 316 Ashley to Arena Project
08/28/2024
Dunmore, PA - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) Interstate 81 Section 316 Ashley to Arena Project. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared for the project and shared with the public for review and comment from March 11 through April 12, 2024.
All comments received during the public comment period were given equal consideration and are addressed in the FONSI document, which can be found on the project website at https://bit.ly/I81ashleytoarenaproject. The EA, which was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, examined the potential impacts to the natural, social, economic, and cultural resources from this project and alternatives under consideration.
With the issuance of the FONSI, the Interstate 81 Section 316 Ashley to Arena Project can now move forward into final design, right-of-way acquisition, procurement, and construction.
About the Project
The project is a 7.5-mile reconstruction of I-81 from Hanover Township to Wilkes-Barre Township in Luzerne County between milepost 161.2 north of the Nuangola exit and milepost 169 north of exit 168, Highland Park Boulevard. The selected alternative includes widening I-81 from four lanes to six lanes, interchange and ramp upgrades, bridge replacements, noise barriers, stormwater management, and environmental mitigation commitments.
The EA and FONSI documents along with project mapping and anticipated schedule can be viewed by visiting the project website: https://bit.ly/I81ashleytoarenaproject.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following local alerts on X.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
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