Last week on Sept 26, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission hosted a Public Meeting regarding the Proposed Allegheny Mountain Tunnel Realignment Project
The meeting was packed with environmental groups, local and state representatives, and many concerned citizens — all of whom opposed the project.
What happened at the meeting?
The Turnpike Commission’s Project Manager; Nick Noss, began the meeting with a presentation outlining a brief history of the project, the major concerns and reasoning behind a refurbishment of the tunnel, and the current, expected timeline for the project. It was then open for comment and questioning on behalf of the attendees.
Representatives from Mountain Watershed Association, the Sierra Club, and The Nature Conservancy, local and state representatives, and concerned citizens (mostly locals, but some from out of state) gave comments and asked questions opposing the Grey Cut project.Â
Why a Project at All?
The PTC says it needs to update the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel passageway, as it hasn’t been refurbished since the 1960s. The Commission believes realigning the road and adding more lanes will make the road safer and ease congestion.
These problems could also be alleviated if the current tunnel were enlarged. But vehicles carrying hazardous waste can’t travel through tunnels in Pennsylvania. The Turnpike Commission also says that enlarging the current tunnel would be costly and difficult to maintain.Â
Meeting attendees questioned the Commission’s estimates, and community members wondered if the PTC should prioritize the strong public opposition over project cost.
What could be Lost with the Gray Cut?
As discussed in a previous blog published by Mountain Watershed Association, there are serious ramifications to slicing a new road through Allegheny Mountain.
Severing the mountain would pose a serious risk to the natural environment, impact wildlife, risk severe water impaction, scar the scenic landscape, wipe away an historic natural feature, affect current and future stakeholders across the region, and impact local small-town communities’ identity and way of life.
The top of the Allegheny Mountain is home to a variety of wildlife species. Of these, 12 avian species, five mammals, and one reptile in the Project Study Area fall in Pennsylvania’s Wildlife Action Plan for Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
These animals use the mountain top to travel across their habitat. Cutting the mountain in two would sever connectivity from North to South and thus decrease genetic diversity between populations.
The mountain also is the headwaters of three important waterways. The Stonycreek River, the Raystown Branch of the Junita, Indian Lake, and their watersheds could all be compromised if millions of cubic yards of soil and sediment were displaced and made their way into the water supply.
Exposing sedimentary layers also risks creating acid drainages that would require extensive, expensive management to neutralize. This would be a huge setback for the Stonycreek River watershed, which has undergone extensive restoration from a legacy of abandoned mine drainage.
Is the Gray Cut the Only Way?
The PTC has been considering options for the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel over about 30 years. In that time, other alternative, no-cut project plans have been identified, but none have been studied or given precedence.
Randy Musser, President of Citizens to Save the Allegheny Mountain, retired engineer, and long time member of the Mountain Field and Stream Club, pressed the PTC during the meeting. He wondered why the Commission hasn’t studied more options that use existing tunnel infrastructure. He implored the PTC to reconsider their work and look towards an alternative that does not cut through local beloved Allegheny Mountain.
Looking to the Future.
In answer to many technical questions, the PTC responded that the “Gray Cut” project is still in its preliminary phase, and project specifics have not yet been identified. Also, the project must go through an extensive permitting and regulatory process before construction can begin.
So far over a 1,000 people have signed petitions in opposition to the Gray Cut, urging the PTC to compromise with the public and find a solution that doesn’t destroy Allegheny Mountain.
What Can You Do?
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is accepting questions and comments on the project until Friday Oct 25, 2024
You can email the Project Manager Nicholas Noss at alleghenymountain@paturnpike.com with concerns, questions, and urge for a compromise.
- Sign the Petition Opposing the Gray Cut
- Donate to the Citizens to Save the Allegheny Mountain so they can continue to advocate
- Tell your friends, family, and colleagues about the problem, so they can get involved too!
To Learn More Visit: https://savealleghenymountain.com