Press Release
PENNDOT SENDS MORE THAN 2,000 LETTERS TO PROPERTY OWNERS FOR PA ROUTE 23 STUDY

HARRISBURG (October 19) - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) announced today that letters have been sent to more than 2,000 property owners in northeastern Lancaster County. The correspondence is an "Intent to Enter" letter requesting their cooperation and advising them of the possible need for authorized personnel to access their land for technical fieldwork associated with the start of the Environmental Impact Study for PA Route 23. This study covers the PA Route 23 corridor between Route 30 in East Lampeter Township and Route 322 in East Earl Township.

"The letter basically advises the property owner that during the course of conducting field work associated with the PA Route 23 Environmental Impact Study, we may need to come onto their property. We're asking for their understanding and their cooperation in advance," explained PENNDOT Project Manager Mark Malhenzie. "Intent to Enter" letters are routinely used for environmental and preliminary engineering studies as well as other PENNDOT projects.

The mailing was initiated on Friday, October 12th. PENNDOT noted that a few recipients of the "Intent to Enter" letter have called requesting further explanation. "Some people are concerned that this may mean a portion of their land may be taken for a project," noted Malhenzie, "This letter has nothing to do with acquiring property for a project. The field work for our PA Route 23 study, which includes activities such as surveys and environmental evaluations, will be getting underway and in many instances will require access to privately owned properties located within the study area."

PENNDOT's project team members performing fieldwork will display the appropriate identification to confirm they are part of the PENNDOT project team for the PA Route 23 study.

Property owners are encouraged to contact Lisa Brozey, the PA Route 23 Project Manager from KCI Technologies, Inc. at (717) 691-1340 with any questions they may have regarding PENNDOT's "Intent to Enter" letter for the PA Route 23 study. KCI Technologies has been hired by PENNDOT to conduct the study.

The PA Route 23 Environmental Impact Study involves the evaluation of possible transportation improvements in the PA Route 23 highway corridor that covers approximately 14 miles, spanning from the vicinity of the PA Route 23 interchange with Route 30 to just east of Route 322. The width of the corridor extends about 1.6 miles to the north and south of PA Route 23. The study area for this PA Route 23 corridor in Lancaster County includes Earl Township, East Earl Township, East Lampeter Township, Manheim Township, Upper Leacock Township, West Earl Township and New Holland Borough.

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