WHY WAS THE CSVT PROJECT PLACED “ON HOLD”?

In July of 2008 the estimated remaining funding needs for the CSVT Project totaled $390 million in 2008 dollars (or an estimated $525 million based on year of expenditure). This included approximately $40 million in addition to the $10 million already obligated to complete all design, right-of –way acquisition and utility relocation efforts, and $350 million (or an estimated $475 million based on year of expenditure) for construction. The SEDA-COG region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) simply could not afford to complete this project given the need to focus transportation resources on system preservation. Since there was no funding for the CSVT Project on the 2009-2012 Transportation Improvement Program and there were no other dedicated funds identified for the project's construction, the project was placed on hold to allow additional time to pursue other funding options without losing the investment in the project.

TO WHAT EXTENT IS THE DESIGN OF THE CSVT PROJECT BEING REACTIVATED AT THIS TIME?

Through the combined efforts of the administration, the Department, the area Representatives, and the FHWA the final design for CSVT’s Northern Section has been reactivated. The 20% Non-Federal matching funds to complete plans development were made available from the Governor’s economic development fund.

The approval to reactivate the Northern Section DOES NOT include: additional right-of-way acquisitions beyond the offers already made, relocation of utility transmission or distribution lines, processing of permit applications, or final design of the Southern Section.

WHY NOT PROCEED WITH FINAL DESIGN ON THE SOUTHERN SECTION AND THE OTHER PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES?

B ased on current federal transportation funding requirements, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has determined that CSVT’s entire project costs must be taken into account for planning/programming purposes. A financial plan needs to be in place and approved by the FHWA outlining how the department plans to fund all phases of the entire project including funds for final design of the Southern Section, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations, and construction for both the Northern and Southern Sections.

Having had prior FHWA authorization for final design in the Northern section and now adequate funding to complete this phase, the Northern Section is unique. The approval to complete its design specifically limits additional pre-construction activities until a financial plan addressing ALL of CSVT is approved.

WITH THE BRIDGE BILL AND ACT 44, AREN’T THERE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT?

The SEDA-COG region’s base allocation within District 3-0 is approximately $24.6 million per year for both highways and bridges. This does not include Act 44, Economic Stimulus, or Spike funds. However, even with these funds, the current funding level is not sufficient to maintain all of the highways and bridges in those 5 counties and support the completion of the CSVT project.

WHAT SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WILL PENNDOT BE WORKING ON AS A RESULT OF REACTIVATION?

Specific items PennDOT will resume working on:

• Completing design on all nine bridges in the Northern Section;
• Completing the hydraulic analysis for the Susquehanna River bridge;
• Completing the soil borings and testing program; and
• Completing (but not submitting until construction funds are identified) the waterway/wetland and NPDES permit applications.

WHAT IS THE EARLIEST THAT THE NORTHERN SECTION COULD GO TO CONSTRUCTION?

The goal is to have the first of three contracts for the Northern Section, the River Bridge and approach earthwork, prepared and ready to advance to construction by early 2011. This is contingent upon identification of funding to complete the entire project by early 2010.

Subsequent contracts would follow approximately 1 year apart thereafter: the 2 nd Contract, remaining earthwork and structures, in early 2012, and the 3 rd Contract, paving, in early 2013.

WHAT WILL REACTIVATION OF THE NORTHERN SECTION MEAN TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS IMPACTED BY THE PROJECT?

Where PennDOT had already started the acquisition process, the owner had the option to continue the acquisition process. However, no further offers to acquire right-of-way will be made at this time. Mr. Lenny Confer, District Right-of-Way Administrator, may be contacted at 570-368-4337 with right-of-way questions.

WILL PENNDOT BE RENTING PROPERTIES THAT IT HAS ALREADY ACQUIRED?

The Department is currently renting 5 properties that were in the acquisition process prior to the project being placed on “hold”. The intention is to continue to rent them as long as practical. Buildings on other properties determined not feasible or reasonable to rent have been, or will be, demolished and removed.

MANY OF THE SAFETY PROBLEMS THAT THE CSVT PROJECT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX WILL REMAIN UNTIL THE CSVT PROJECT IS CONSTRUCTED. WHAT IS PENNDOT DOING ABOUT THESE ISSUES?

PennDOT is actively pursuing contract revisions to undertake safety and congestion studies within the CSVT corridor to evaluate interim localized improvements to the existing network. It is anticipated that these studies will be underway later this summer.