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MD 234 at MD 238, Geometric Improvement - Roundabout, St. Mary's County, Maryland
The SAFETEA-LU de minimis process simplified the approval of the Chaptico geometric improvements involving the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of MD 234 (Budds Creek Road) and MD 238 (Maddox/Chaptico Road) in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The de minimis finding with respect to the minor impacts to a historic site/district comply with the requirements of the Section 4(f) process allowing for an analysis evaluation that did not require the submittal of the avoidance alternatives. This process reduced the man-hours in completing the environmental documentation. The de minimis process allowed for the Section 4(f) evaluation process to be completed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within a 30-day period.
Project Summary:
The purpose and need for the project was to reduce the number and severity of accidents that occur at the intersection. A roundabout was selected to be constructed at the intersection because its geometry causes the speed of vehicles to be reduced as they approach and travel through the roundabout. The reduction of speed allows drivers more time to react to potential conflicts and, as a result, safety is increased at the intersection. The roundabout also reduces the possibility of accidents by reducing the number of conflict points between vehicles and pedestrians. Where roundabouts have been installed at intersections in Maryland, accidents of all types have been reduced by more than 60 percent and injury accidents have been reduced by more than 75 percent.
On June 22, 2005, the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) concurred with SHA’s determination that the proposed roundabout would have no adverse effect on historic properties within the area of potential effects. MHT concurred with the de minimis determination for the impacts to contributing properties within the Chaptico Historic District and Locust Grove (individually eligible). In addition, St. Mary’s County Government, St. Mary’s County Historical Preservation Commission and the Department of Land Use and Growth Management concurred with the determination of no adverse effect or declined to participate.
All possible planning to minimize harm to the District and Locust Grove was examined. Various geometric shifts were examined to avoid impacts to the District and the Locust Grove property. Context sensitive design features were put into the project to minimize harm to the District and Locust Grove. The landscape architecture features including the concrete islands were designed using colors that would be in context with the historic and rural setting. All new plantings were native species in context with the area along with the replacements of existing trees, new signs, lights, and restoration and landscaping of disturbed areas.
The SHA held an informational public meeting for the project in September 2003. Approximately 258 notices were mailed to local addresses and notices placed in St. Mary’s Today, the Maryland Independent and the Tithe Enterprise newspapers informing the public of the meeting. Overall, the project was well supported by the local community. As a result of these meetings, the public were informed of the intent for a de minimis determination for the proposed project and no negative comments were received.
Based on the information and conclusions presented for the project, it would not involve any significant environmental impacts to socio-economic or natural resources nor would the project induce significant foreseeable alterations in land use or affect planned growth. As such, a de minimis finding was appropriate for the minor impacts to the Chaptico Historic District and Locust Gove.
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US 40 Alternate, LaVale Streetscape, Allegany County, Maryland
The SAFETEA-LU de minimis process simplified the approval of the LaVale Streetscape project and enhanced the community park. The initial design of the project resulted in three Stormwater Management Facilities (SWM) ponds on three separate parcels within the LaVale community. In October 2005, SHA designed one SWM on a public park that was partially funded by Program Open Space (POS). The de minimis process allowed for the new SWM location, and public park take, to be evaluated, reviewed, and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within a six month period.
In addition, the increased coordination with the agencies with jurisdiction resulted in a planned SWM and new basketball court that appealed to both SHA and the three agencies with jurisdiction (Allegany County Department of Planning and Zoning, LaVale Civic Improvement, and the LaVale Athletic Associations), as well as the community.
Project Summary:
The purpose and need for the project was to improve traffic safety and drainage within the town limits. The frequent and occasionally severe flooding problems on US 40 Alternate and the adjacent properties was caused by inadequate capacity of the existing drainage system; namely, undersized cross culverts and drainage pipes, and by an insufficient number of inlets along the roadway. In order to improve the roadway drainage, a portion of the runoff was redirected to different outfall points.
One outfall point utilized approximately 1.5 acres of a public park for a SWM. Landscaping and plantings around the SWM facility were included in the project to encourage wildlife to inhabit the pond and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) created a crusher-run (stone-chip) trail with park benches around the SWM facility for recreation. Due to the size of the SWM facility, the existing dilapidated basketball court was relocated on-site with new pavement and basketball nets.
On June 2, 2006 the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) concurred with SHA’s determination that the proposed LaVale Streetscape project would have no adverse effect on historic properties. Additionally, MHT concurred with the de minimis determination for the impacts to contributing properties within East and West LaVale historic districts.
The SHA held three public informational meetings and one town meeting in 2005. As a result of these meetings, the public and the LaVale Athletic and Civic Associations were made known of the intent for a de minimis determination for the proposed project and no negative comments were received.
The SHA met with a representative of the agency with jurisdiction, the Allegany County Department of Planning and Zoning, at the Holly Field on October 17, 2005. The representative walked the proposed site and agreed that the SWM facility was an enhancement to the mostly unused portion of the ball field. The representative also explained that the County has a three party agreement with LaVale Civic Improvement and LaVale Athletic Associations. On December 7, 2005, SHA met with the respective presidents of these associations and on January 26, 2006, and April 21, 2006, all parties with jurisdiction agreed to the design of the SWM facility and the replacement of the basketball court as part of the LaVale Streetscape project. Since the park was partially funded through POS, SHA coordinated with the POS regional administrator, who concluded that the project would be an enhancement to the ball field and would require no mitigation.
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MD 81 at Ijamsville Road, Frederick County, Maryland
Under the de minimis provisions, an analysis of avoidance alternatives was not required for the project. This resulted in a simplified NEPA approval process that was efficient and complete.
Project Summary:
The purpose and need of the project was to improve the horizontal and vertical sight distance by realignment of Ijamsville Road and Big Woods Road to improve the geometrics and safety of the MD 80/Ijamsville Road/Big Woods Road intersection. The project work involved reconstructing existing MD 80 to provide auxiliary turning lanes and signal design to improve safety and sight distance at the intersection.
Right-of-way was needed from the Singleton Burgee House/Addison Property, a property eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The property includes a collection of agricultural outbuildings and is eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion C for its architectural significance. A Phase I archeological survey of the project area was undertaken and a final report was completed on July 13, 2006. On March 10, 2006, the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) concurred with SHA’s determination that the proposed geometric improvements would have no adverse effect on historic properties.
In accordance with Section 6009 of SAFETEA-LU, the minor impacts to the Singleton Burgee House/Addison Property resulted in a de minimis finding. The relatively small right-of-way impact will not alter the characteristics that make the property eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. This finding would satisfy the requirements of Section 4(f) and is supported by the Maryland State Historic Preservation Officer’s concurrence that the project would have no adverse effect on historic properties. MHT also indicated its concurrence with a de minimis finding.
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