Maryland 235 shows how the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) developed creative mitigation measures for a project involving use of a Section 4(f) cultural resource. These measures were developed in conjunction with the Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) and the official with jurisdiction—namely, the Patuxent Naval Air Station (NAS).

OVERVIEW
The project involved a stretch of Maryland 235 that divided the NAS from the community of Lexington Park. The NAS sits to the east of the highway; Lexington Park, to the west. The NAS has two buildings that are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and are therefore subject to consideration under Section 4(f)—the Enlisted Men's Recreational Building (also known as the Patuxent River Naval Air and Testing Museum) and the Naval Training/Education Center (also known as the Frank Knox School).

PURPOSE & NEED
The project purpose and need were to improve traffic operations and safety conditions along Maryland 235. The build alternatives called for widening the highway from 2 to 3 lanes, with auxiliary lanes along the stretch between Lexington Park and the NAS. These measures would result in impacts to either the two NAS buildings or numerous businesses, depending on the alternative.

CHALLENGE
The unique challenge of this project was in deciding whether or not impacts to the NAS buildings outweighed impacts to the Lexington community. There was no way to avoid both and still meet the project purpose and need.

The No-Build Alternative was not considered feasible and prudent, because it did not meet the project purpose and need. An avoidance alternative was developed that would not have impacted the cultural resources; however, it would have resulted in the displacement of 58 Lexington businesses located on the west side of the roadway. Because this alternative would have created truly unique problems, it was not considered feasible and prudent.

In addition to the avoidance alternative, two minimization alternatives were developed in an effort to limit impacts to the NAS buildings and the Lexington community. However, they did not fully meet the project purpose and need, and were therefore not considered feasible and prudent. One of the alternatives failed to meet the minimum level of service established by the project; the other did not adequately address traffic congestion during peak hours.

A third minimization alternative was developed that would both limit impacts to the cultural resources and the Lexington community, and meet the project purpose and need. The Section 4(f) impacts would still be considered adverse, as this alternative would require the removal of the museum.

SOLUTION
In the absence of a feasible and prudent avoidance alternative, the third minimization alternative was selected. Through coordination with the Patuxent NAS, the MHT and various agency officials, the Department of Transportation (DOT) determined that the other alternatives would have either failed to meet the project purpose and need or presented a significant impact on the Lexington community.

Mitigation measures for the selected alternative (which are still being implemented) are unique. In addition to a landscaping plan throughout the project area, they include plans for a three-dimensional exhibit panel describing the significance of the historic building that was removed, as well as contemporary and historic photographs of the building and dance room where USO dances were held during World War II. The exhibit will also include salvaged portions of the dance floor.

The panel will be on display at the new recreation building, which is to be located along the northern portion of the base. The SHA, in a conjunction with the Navy, is required to install the exhibit within one year of the new building's completion.

While mitigation typically involves conventional measures such as compensation or replacement of land and facilities, it does not have to be limited to a narrow menu of standard options. A bit of creative thinking among members of the transportation agency and the coordinating parties can open up new possibilities by yielding creative mitigation measures such as the exhibit panel and photographs that were used for this project.