From Blueprints to Reality: Construction Projects on the PA Turnpike
From Blueprints to Reality: Construction Projects on the PA Turnpike
Since we first opened for travel in 1940, the PA Turnpike has expanded and invested in our roadway infrastructure as part of our commitment to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for PA Turnpike customers.
Whether it is detours or delays, we understand that construction projects may temporarily impact the driving experience on roadways, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike. However, as a nearly 85-year-old roadway, the Pennsylvania Turnpike relies on construction projects to improve, maintain and transform our roadways. We use innovative and trusted techniques to preserve America's first superhighway for the best ride possible while ensuring we are ready for the future needs of travel.
Here are the top things every driver should keep in mind when it comes to construction on the PA Turnpike.
PA Turnpike Projects Are Different Than Other State Projects
The vast majority of projects on the PA Turnpike are funded by the tolls our customers pay, not tax dollars. Our projects prioritize safety and satisfaction of our travelling public. As a result, the PA Turnpike has flexibility to reduce the impact to our customers by compressing construction schedules, adjusting designs to accommodate traffic and restricting work to certain time periods. We also have the ability to explore different materials and innovative design and construction methods.
PA Turnpike Projects Are Determined By Our 10-Year Capital Plan
The PA Turnpike has a 10-year capital plan, which allocates funding for design and construction. Unit managers prioritize projects based on several factors including deterioration rates, funding, life cycle, capacity needs/current level of service, corridor completion and geographical saturation of projects. Our construction projects are focused on an array of goals, including rideability, smoothness, miles of reconstruction and reducing structurally deficient structures.
There Are Five Basic Stages In a PA Turnpike Construction Project
- Planning and study: This stage focuses on studying the need for the project and the viable solutions. A feasibility study is often done for deeper analysis.
- Preliminary Design: In this stage, we gather basic information, create base plans and complete roughly 30% of the project design.
- Final design: During this phase, we complete project design, obtain all permits and right of way permissions and send plans to be bid.
- Bidding: This phase includes the advertisement and selection of the contractor based on low-bid bidding.
- Construction: This is when the physical construction work happens and varies per project. For a total reconstruction contract, that typically entails widening the roadway to the outside while traffic is maintained on the existing roadway, then moving traffic to the newly constructed roadway and rebuilding the area in the middle. However, a mill and pave or bridge project can be vastly different in staging.
Project Dates and Costs Can Change
In the design phase, project dates can shift due to funding changes, permitting issues or utility coordination. In the construction phase, they can change due to unexpected construction issues found in the field, coordination issues or other various reasons. Recently, inflation has also played a key factor in cost changes.
Customers Need to Remain Alert and Slow Down in Work Zones
During any construction project, it is important drivers remain alert and consider the vulnerability of highway workers. Slow down, pay extra attention in work zones, and be mindful of slow-moving vehicles pulling in and out of active travel lanes. In addition, put your phone down and be sure to read the signs.
Typically, drivers are required to slow down to the posted work zone speed limit, which is often 55 miles-per-hour. Reducing your speed to 55 miles-per-hour, only adds about a minute to your drive, while preventing accidents and fatalities.
While in a work zone, commercial vehicles are often directed to stay in the left lane. This is because the left lane may be wider, and it protects the drains underneath the roadway from the weight of heavy vehicles.
As part of its commitment to safety, the PA Turnpike operates a variety of safety initiatives, including the Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program. Under the program, drivers caught speeding are given a warning for their first violation, which gives them an opportunity to change their driving behavior and reduce their speed before being cited.
In addition, the PA Turnpike and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have developed a New Driver Work Zone Safety Program to teach new drivers how to navigate in work zones with confidence and safety. The free virtual training, available in both English and Spanish, covers safe driving practices in work zones, simulates real-life scenarios drivers might encounter and explains work zone laws.
Relieving Congestion Is A Priority for Construction Planning
The ability to drive on uncongested roadway is one of the toll values we provide customers. And we are happy to report that 71% of drivers believe the PA Turnpike delivers value for their toll in the form of convenience, speed, ease of access and ease of navigation.
Our total reconstruction and widening projects provide more capacity for traffic and increase shoulder and median width for safety, quick clearance time and access. Where capacity cannot be added, we focus on traffic management. In addition, the rollout of Open Road Tolling across the state will alleviate delays at toll booths and enable additional access points in the future.
While we work to complete projects as quickly as possible, we understand the short-term inconvenience construction brings to travelers. Even during major constructions projects, we work to ensure all lanes are open during peak rush hours.
The PA Turnpike Works to Minimize Impacts on Customers
Minimizing impact to our customers where we can is a priority during roadwork and construction. We schedule construction work around traffic volumes and predicted backlogs. We will work during the day if we can keep all lanes open. You will often see this scenario as we work to reconstruct America's first superhighway to modern standards through the total reconstruction project, as the contractor is working behind a barrier and the same number of original travel lanes are available.
If a lane needs to be closed, we will often perform the work at night to minimize disruption to traffic. On major projects, we will sometimes limit or restrict night work to ensure the safety of our operations and workers and lessen the impact on residents who live near the work site.
Work Still Happens In the Winter Months
Many major construction projects maintain operations throughout the winter, focusing on tasks that are not sensitive to temperature changes. Projects that are forced to stop actual construction work during the winter are still moving forward. During that time, staff focus on ensuring all project paperwork is up-to-date and conduct important training for our field staff.
The Launch of Open Road Tolling Will Support Construction
With Open Road Tolling (ORT), we can build new access points, at a fraction of the cost and in significantly less time than under traditional tolling, which deliver greater economic and mobility benefits to adjacent communities. ORT will allow for additional access points to be considered and will enable reconfiguration of toll plazas and interchanges moving forward.
We are Committed to Being a Good and Responsible Neighbor
Today's PA Turnpike looks a lot differently than it did in the 1940s. That is because of the work we are doing to transform America's first superhighway into a source of pride for the entire Commonwealth.
Highway construction is a complicated process that involves many tasks. As we work to advance our roadway, we are committed to being a responsible neighbor and actively engaging with the communities surrounding our work sites. To help minimize the impacts of construction, the PA Turnpike works closely with contractors, homeowners and businesses while construction is in progress. We are dedicated to safeguarding property owners and ensuring that projects are completed safely and on schedule.
In addition, we work with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to do archeological studies of projects prior to construction. If we encounter something unexpected during construction, we immediately isolate the area and stop work to address the issue.
As a result of our Capital Plan Investment, we have already completed 164 miles of total reconstruction to date, and we anticipate the completion of over 60 miles of additional total reconstruction projects within the next decade. To learn more about specific construction projects, visit our website.