Milepost 308 to 312

This project is part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s (PTC) $2 billion system wide total reconstruction initiative which entails rebuilding sections of the 60-plus-year-old Turnpike from the ground up. The new roadway design meets current interstate design standards, and will provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for Turnpike customers. The existing pavement conditions, current traffic volumes and projected growth dictate widening the mainline from four to six lanes.

The project is funded entirely by the PTC toll revenue and uses no federal funds or state tax dollars.

Approximately $150 million for construction.

SEE REVISED SCHEDULE ON PROJECT WEBSITE
At this early stage, these time frames are approximate and will be refined as the project advances.

Yes. The PTC coordinates work schedules and also reviews project plans with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). In addition, the PTC coordinates work schedules with the local municipalities including emergency service providers.

Sufficiently defined plans and project data to warrant a public plans display were not available until now.

Please express your concerns by completing a comment form.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Brian Mostek
Project Manager
P.O. Box 67676
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676
(717) 831-7101
bmostek@paturnpike.com

Public Outreach Initiative
Nate Pigott Public Outreach Manager
P.O. Box 67100
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7100
(717) 763-7212 x2602
npigott@gfnet.com

Please visit the stations tonight and talk with the project team members about your specific areas of interest. If you would prefer to submit your comments in writing, please complete a comment form, and the project team will follow up with you regarding your concern.

The input received will be reviewed by the PTC and the project team to assess the public's satisfaction with the direction of the project design and to identify any remaining areas of public concern that need to be addressed as we complete the final design process. The PTC will continue to work closely with the legislators and townships on an as-needed basis.

There may be modifications that occur as the project team progresses through final design. The acquisition process is expected to begin in the next 12-18 months, but could occur sooner for those acquisitions that are unlikely to change.

In general, the PTC will provide the full measure of just compensation to all who are entitled under the law. Please visit the Right-of-Way Station where PTC right-of-way specialists will be able to assist you with your questions. During the construction bid process, property-owners also may be contacted by the construction contractor for temporary access to accommodate construction activities. This matter also can be addressed in more detail at the Right-of-Way Station.

Although there are no federal or state funds used for this project, the PTC utilized Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and PennDOT criteria for highway noise analysis. For communities where noise abatement consideration is warranted, the next step is to consider whether the noise abatement would be feasible for each affected community. Traffic noise abatement is typically provided by using highway noise barriers. Feasible noise barriers are those that provide at least 5 dB(A) of noise reduction to noise sensitive locations and pose no safety, engineering, or access restrictions. If a noise barrier system is determined to be feasible, the next step is to determine whether or not the barrier is reasonable for construction. For a barrier to be reasonable, it must be cost effective and maintenance, constructability, drainage and utility impacts, as well as the desires of the affected residents, must be considered. Additional details can be obtained at the Noise Station where there are technical experts available to discuss sound.

The noise wall locations shown on the plans convey the most accurate representation of mitigation sites and physical wall locations based on the outcomes of the noise impact analysis report available for review at tonight’s meeting. The length and height of the noise walls will be further refined as a part of the optimization process. Please visit the Noise Station for additional details and to speak to our technical experts on this subject.

A copy of the report is available for review during tonight’s meeting at the Noise Station. An electronic version of the Noise Impact Analysis Report will be available for public review on the project website.

Currently, the most common types of noise walls consist of concrete panels with steel or concrete posts. The panels typically utilize a form-liner to provide texture and a stain is applied for color. Anti-Graffiti coatings are typically added in an effort to reduce the possibility of graffiti. After the refinement of the plans but before a final decision is made, the PTC is planning to hold a community meeting with the owners of property bordering proposed noise wall locations to provide them with the opportunity to vote on noise wall color and texture.

The contractor that successfully bids the project will determine when the noise walls are constructed with the PTC. Usually, construction access and noise wall fabrication schedules influence the contractor’s decision on when to construct the noise walls, which usually occurs during the first year of construction.

In addition to coordinating with the local townships, the PTC is working with local, state and federal regulatory agencies such as the Chester County Conservation District, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to make sure the project design progresses with the least impact to the existing environment.

The PTC must comply with DEP guidelines and is working with the townships and the DEP. Storm water basin size and locations are based on several factors including the natural flow of rain water in existing conditions, accessibility for maintenance, characteristics of native soil, groundwater and bedrock elevations.

The PTC provides a number of avenues to keep the public informed of current and accurate project activity.

• Website - The best resource for current information is the project website, which is frequently updated with activities for the entire project area. You can visit the website at: www.patpconstruction.com/mp298to302.
• Electronic & Print Publications - You can sign-up to receive future electronic E-Bulletins and the project newsletter to stay informed. Sign up at tonight’s meeting to receive future project information, or send us an email via the "Contact Us" link on the project website.
• Media - Important project information, such as meeting announcements and roadway closures, will be distributed to the local newspapers.
• Public Officials - The PTC routinely updates your township officials and local legislators with project activity information.

During peak travel times between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. two lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions. Exceptions include emergency roadway repairs and daytime work performed by Turnpike Maintenance requiring a lane closure. Once construction begins, widening will occur to the outside lanes first; traffic will then be shifted to the new roadway as construction continues on the remaining inside lanes. Dynamic Message Signs will be installed at key locations prior to the start of roadway construction in order to provide motorists advance notice of incidents and to inform motorists well in advance of the incident location so they can prepare to exit the Turnpike if necessary.

Yes. Adjacent sections to the east and west are under preliminary design.