Community Impact Assessment Pilot Project

Community Impact Assessment Pilot Project: Morton Avenue and Route 420 Intersection in Delaware County

Beginning this September, 2004, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission DVRPC will assist the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Delaware County Planning Department to evaluate Steps One and Two of PennDOT's new Community Impact Assessment (CIA) process. Working with local officials, resident groups and the various planning agencies, DVRPC will be analyzing the existing conditions and quality of life indicators at the intersection of Morton Avenue and PA Route 420.

The Community Impact Assessment program has been created to assist local stakeholders in addressing community issues surrounding proposed transportation projects before construction begins. PennDOT believes the CIA process can provide the foundation to developing quality transportation projects and solutions in the community that streamline project delivery and address residents' quality of life objectives.

PennDOT's policy is to work proactively in collaboration with communities in implementing the principles of Community Impact Assessment throughout the transportation project development process. In this regard, application of the CIA process early in the project planning phase is required for it to be most effective.

CIA principles include the obligation to:

• Recognize and understand the importance of community resources, needs, values, goals, and objectives in achieving balanced and equitable transportation decisions.
• Proactively identify and analyze community impacts throughout all phases of the project development process.
• Recognize those attributes and characteristics that define a community's "quality of life," even if they are not easily measured or quantified.
• Recognize the transportation needs and concerns of all populations within communities during the transportation decision-making process, including those who have not traditionally participated in public involvement activities.
• Promote meaningful citizen participation and public involvement throughout all phases of the transportation project development process.

Aside from full and continuing public involvement, the CIA principles incorporate aspects of comprehensive planning, environmental justice, environmental impact assessment and context sensitive solutions. A critical starting point, that will differ based on the setting or scope of a project, is defining what is meant by "Community," including identification and involvement of key stakeholders and interests who will be most affected by or who will most influence a project or its outcome.

In response to the Department's CIA pilot project proposal, DVRPC in consultation with the Delaware County Planning Department and PennDOT District 6-0, nominated a proposed study area involving transportation safety and pedestrian improvements at the signalized intersection of Morton Avenue and Route 420, in Springfield Township and Morton Borough.

Members of the Community are invited to participate in this pilot project. Two public meetings will be held over the course of the fall and winter months, and a draft report documenting the findings of the process will be available in spring of 2005. Check back in mid-October for meeting times, locations, and dates.