NTM Engineering, Inc., formerly Lotus Environmental Consulting, served as a subconsultant to Modjeski & Masters for the I-476, Hawk Falls Bridge (Bridge NB-610) Replacement project, in Carbon County, PA. The existing bridge carries the four-lane, limited access Turnpike (I-476) over Mud Run. The bridge was rated poor and could not be rehabilitated. The proposed project also included reconstruction of the existing roadway approaches and the replacement of an existing mainline bridge that carries the I-467 over Hickory Run Road (SR 534).
The project area is entirely within Hickory Run State Park and the area includes a waterfall popular with park visitors, a hiking trail, and a protected natural area. Additional resources of concern included historic resources, wetlands, exceptional value waters, recreational resources, and habitat. NTM (Lotus) staff were responsible for wetland delineation, habitat assessment, Section 6(f) conversion proposal and mitigation assessment, Section 6(f) Environmental Assessment, and agency coordination.