Kathy Liebler

Manager, Public Affairs & Media Relations


C  O  M  M  I  S  S  I  O  N       N  E  W  S       R  E  L  E  A  S  E

Contact:  

Thomas A. Fox (724) 755-5260, Fax (724) 755-5142
email:  tfox@paturnpike.com

July 3, 2002


COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED FOR DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL 
IMPACT STATEMENT FOR MON/FAYETTE EXPRESSWAY FROM 
ROUTE 51 TO INTERSTATE 376

In response to requests from the general public, the comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation for the proposed Mon/Fayette Expressway Project between Pa. Route 51 in Jefferson Hills and Interstate 376 (the Parkway East) in Pittsburgh and Monroeville has been extended from August 14 to September 9.

The comment period for the five-volume document, including a Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit Application, began on Friday, May 31. The DEIS remains available for public review and comment at local municipal offices, area libraries and other locations.

The DEIS/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation may be obtained in CD-ROM form, for a $10 fee, by contacting Lou Washowich at the Turnpike Commission’s Western Regional Office at 724-755-5263. 

Written comments on the DEIS should be sent to David P. Willis, Environmental Manager, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676. Written comments on the Section 404 Permit Application should be sent to Rich Sobol, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch, 1000 Liberty Avenue, 1834 Federal Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Comments also can be presented in oral or written form during any of three public hearings later this month.

Public hearings will be held as originally scheduled - from 1 to 9 pm Tuesday, July 16 at West Mifflin High School; Tuesday, July 23 at Burgwin Elementary School in Hazelwood; and Thursday, July 25 at the Monroeville Expo Mart. 

Also unchanged is the date of the last open house plans display, which will be held from 1 to 8 pm Tuesday, July 9 at West Mifflin High School.

Each public hearing will include a display of plans where people can review maps and information, including the anticipated impacts of alternatives that were studied in detail. In addition, several technical reports referenced in the DEIS will be available for review at the hearings.  Representatives of the Turnpike Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers will give formal presentations at 2 pm and 6 pm.

Immediately following the formal presentations, oral testimony can be presented and will be recorded for the official record by a stenographer. Speakers will be limited to five minutes but can submit more detailed written testimony to supplement their oral testimony.

Speakers who intend to provide public oral testimony are encouraged to preregister by calling Lisa Yackovich at 724-755-5261.

People also will have the option of giving oral testimony in private, either to a stenographer or a tape recorder, anytime between 1 and 9 pm. Private oral testimony also will be included in the official record.

After reviewing comments on the DEIS the Turnpike Commission, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will prepare and circulate a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for public review and comment. 

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 P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649