How Preliminary Field Work Sets The Stage for Successful PA Turnpike Construction Projects

PA Turnpike construction projects involve considerable preparation. Years before the first shovel of dirt moves, a team of experts and engineers complete studies and testing, acquire the necessary permitting and consult with the appropriate agencies.

During Preliminary Design, More In-Depth Field Work Begins

This field work includes more detailed environmental and engineering studies. It ranges from actual surveyors assessing site characteristics and constraints and geotechnical engineering on rock and soil layers, to right of way investigations that identify land necessary for PA Turnpike construction and maintenance.

Safety is paramount, and the PA Turnpike performs all work in accordance with federal and state environmental regulations. Our team of experts continue to monitor the field work progress, make adjustments where needed and keep property owners engaged and informed on the specific work being done on their property.

Property Owners Living Near a Project Site Are Notified Before Work Begins

In most cases, property owners receive notification a few months in advance and immediately before work begins. Property owners will receive information on what studies will be happening, along with the dates that property owners can expect staff to be in the area collecting additional information. This further supports our commitment to being a good neighbor, providing transparency for those directly impacted and making the process smoother for all involved.

PA Turnpike employees or licensed contractors may be seen taking photos, measuring ground, affirming property lines, assessing nearby structures or natural terrain environments, seeking evidence of wetlands and wildlife, performing noise analyses and sampling or monitoring groundwater. At this stage, drilling may be necessary to gather essential subsurface data to inform design and construction decisions. This would be done during the day, if necessary. While this may generate noise, dust and dirt in the area, all necessary precautions are being done to ensure safety and gather the essential results.

Fieldwork is Crucial to Understanding the Impacts of a Proposed Design on a Community

Fieldwork helps the PA Turnpike understand how the proposed design impacts the people who live nearby. All this information is collected, analyzed and used to adapt plans for roadways, structures and stormwater management facilities to site conditions. The PA Turnpike then shares these preliminary designs with the community at public meetings. This offers residents the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

Preliminary engineering can take up to four years to complete and accounts for approximately 30 percent of the engineering-design phase.

Details about the PA Turnpike's major design and construction projects are available on our website.

Design & Construction