PennDOT, in cooperation with FHWA, will provide direction on all aspects of the PEL Study (environmental, public and agency, engineering design, and traffic analysis). Based on the PEL Study results, they will identify projects and alternatives to advance for preliminary engineering and environmental analysis. PennDOT, in cooperation with FHWA, will approve the PEL Study and any alternative recommendations as well as final decisions regarding advancing and prioritizing transportation projects for further development.
FHWA, in cooperation with PennDOT, will provide direction on all aspects of the study (environmental, public and agency involvement, engineering design, and traffic analysis). Based on the PEL Study results, they will identify projects and alternatives to advance for preliminary engineering and environmental analysis. FHWA will lead coordination efforts with state and federal agencies. They will also approve the PEL Study for future NEPA investigations.
The design management team is comprised of multiple consulting firms being led by Michael Baker International Inc. The other firms include KCI Technologies Inc., Lotus Environmental Consulting LLC, Navarro & Wright Consulting Engineers, and American Engineers Group LLC. Each of these firms bring engineering and environmental technical expertise to support PennDOT in the review and oversight of the PEL Study. Their responsibilities include:
- Perform duties as an extension of PennDOT staff.
- Support PennDOT with agency and public outreach efforts.
- Review and provide comments to the consultant team on all project materials.
- Support the consultant team through attending meetings and presenting study information, as appropriate.
The consultant team is comprised of multiple consulting firms being led by Johnson, Mirmiran and Thompson Inc. Other consultant team members include American Geotechnical & Environmental Services Inc.; Drive Engineering Corp.; Erdman, Anthony, Associates Inc.; Larson Design Group Inc.; Quest Corporation of America Inc.; Skelly and Loy Inc.; and Susquehanna Civil Inc.
The consultant team is responsible for leading technical study efforts including agency coordination, public outreach, traffic analysis, engineering design, and investigations into socio-economic studies, and natural and cultural resources. Their efforts specifically will entail field investigations, resource documentation, traffic counting and simulation, alternative development, alternative impact assessment, report development, and public outreach and engagement.