Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Plans New PA 283 Access Ramps to Improve Safety, Reduce Congestion
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Plans New PA 283 Access Ramps to Improve Safety, Reduce Congestion
Middletown, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) announced plans to develop two new access points connecting Pennsylvania Route 283 (PA 283) directly to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) in Dauphin County. The new ramps, located at approximately Milepost 251 on the PA Turnpike, would provide travelers in either direction on PA 283 with an alternative route to avoid recurring congestion at the interchange of Interstate 283 (I-283) and PA 283. The project is intended to improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance mobility and access throughout the Harrisburg area.
“Adding new access points to the Pennsylvania Turnpike from 283 will help relieve congestion, improve traffic flow and keep Pennsylvanians moving safely and efficiently,” said Michael Carroll, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and PA Secretary of Transportation. “By taking pressure off PA 283 and providing a more direct access to the PA Turnpike, we’re improving how people and goods move through this busy corridor and strengthening the transportation network in Dauphin County.”
The proposed connection addresses recurring congestion along I-283 and PA 283. During peak periods, traffic queues routinely extend for more than a mile approaching the I-283/PA 283 Interchange. These reoccurring queues create conditions associated with rear-end collisions, including sudden slowing and breaking. More than 200 crashes have occurred within this corridor over the last four years.
The proposed improvements include two new direct connections: a ramp from eastbound PA Turnpike to eastbound PA 283 and a ramp from westbound PA 283 to westbound PA Turnpike. Together, these ramps would improve safety by providing an alternative to traveling through the congested I-283/PA 283 interchange. By shifting a portion of traffic to the PA Turnpike, the proposed connection would help reduce congestion, queue lengths, and sudden braking associated with stop-and-go conditions. The new ramps, located between the Harrisburg East (Exit 247) and Lebanon-Lancaster (Exit 266) on the PA Turnpike, would also provide a more direct and reliable connection for PA Turnpike customers.
The new access point is now possible due to the PA Turnpike Commission’s transition to Open Road Tolling (ORT), a cashless, free-flowing mode of collecting tolls without traditional toll plazas or toll booths. However, ORT now makes it easier for the PA Turnpike Commission to continue to add new access points to support economic development and enhance mobility across the Commonwealth. The Commission partners with PennDOT and local communities to study and ease traffic near its interchanges, where feasible.
The Board of Commissioners approved a change to the Fiscal Year 2027 10-Year Capital Plan at the August 18, 2026 Meeting, allocating funding to advance design of the new connection. The project remains in early stages of development, with additional traffic, roadway, environmental and community analysis to be completed as design advances.
The Commission currently anticipates completing the new ramps within five years. A more detailed project schedule and cost will be announced as the project advances.
For news and updates on this project or for more information, please visit PA 283 Interchange.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: 267-408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: 717-870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com