The Eyes of Paint Branch - Spring 2002
Newsletter
Volume: 8 Issue: 1
EOPB Offers Three-Lane Alternative for Route 198 to Protect Headwaters
The State Highway Administration has started a study to widen Route 28/198 between Georgia Avenue and Route 29. This project would cut through the headwaters of the Right and Left Forks of the Paint Branch in the Special Protection Area (SPA) near Spencerville. The SPA mandates strict limits on the percentage of impervious surface--such as pavement and rooftops--allowed in the protected area, but the Highway Administration has not formally agreed to abide by the
regulations of the SPA.
The County Master Plans describe a possible four-lane road with limited right-of-way in this area. Because of the possibility of devastating impacts to the SPA, EOPB has formally asked the State Highway Administration to study a three-lane alternative for the Route 28/198 Project. The severe deterioration of stream health in the SPA (see related article) necessitates that every effort be made to limit increases in imperviousness from this project.
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| Extensive clearing for the 28/198 extension at New Hampshire Avenue. |
Eyes of Paint Branch has also joined with the community representatives on the Focus Group for this study in their unanimous expression that any design must conform to the Master Plans and stay on the present alignment of Route 198.
The State Highway Administration will present
the various alternatives for this project at a
public workshop in June. Watch the Calendar
at www.eopb.org for time and place.