HARRISBURG (March 9) – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation today announced a new website as part of its recently revived environmental impact study to improve Route 30 in eastern Lancaster County. The new website can be accessed at www.route30corridor.com. It currently contains background information on elements of the study process. As the study progresses, more information such as the development of alternatives to improve Route 30 will be posted for public review and comment.

"The website is just one more communication tool we can use to help us reach people about the work of this study," said Barry Hoffman, PennDOT’s district engineer for south central Pennsylvania. "Through the Internet, we not only can provide information on the progress of the study, but we can also receive feedback from those visiting the website. It is an excellent complement to our other public involvement efforts such as newsletters, citizen advisory committees, press releases, and public meetings.

This study is the resumption of an environmental impact study (EIS) that was begun in 1993 to improve approximately 9 _ miles of the Route 30 corridor in eastern Lancaster County, between Route 896 in East Lampeter Township and the village of Gap in Salisbury Township. This portion of Route 30 is heavily used by long distance haulers and local residents as well as by tourists. Work on the EIS was suspended in 1996, however, when PennDOT’s financial condition worsened and funding was diverted to more pressing transportation needs. With this resumption of the EIS, traffic data will be gathered, alternative alignments developed, and recommendations made with the goal of improving the highway’s safety conditions and increasing its traffic capacity. A wide range of improvement alternatives for increasing roadway capacity --from widening Route 30 to the construction of a new highway -- will be developed. Major improvements to the intersection of Route 41 and Route 30 will also be evaluated.

PennDOT has contracted with McCormick, Taylor & Associates, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to continue with the environmental impact study at a cost of $3,967,989. The EIS will assess the environmental and community impacts of the alternatives developed. It is anticipated that the entire study will take two to three years to complete, including significant public involvement. The first public meeting for the general public on this revived study is expected to take place in either late spring or early summer.

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