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Milepost A53-A57 Reconstruction - Improvements

Milepost A53-A57 Northeast Extension Improvements
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Improvements

Total reconstruction projects aim to address crucial issues to ensure safer and more efficient roadways. These projects involve the complete replacement of the pavement structure, safety and drainage upgrades, and widening to improve capacity. Additionally, they include replacing all bridges in the project corridor to meet current design standards. 

The reconstruction also addresses maintenance challenges such as milling and paving, which previously required extensive roadwork and exposed workers to traffic risks. Increasing the roadway's capacity is particularly important in high-traffic areas near Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Northeast Extension approaching Allentown, where six lanes are needed to handle growing traffic demands. Completing this corridor with three lanes in each direction will eliminate bottlenecks and enhance the overall flow of traffic. 

Project Benefits

Our projects are designed to bring significant improvements and benefits to the PA Turnpike. Each project aims to enhance the efficiency, safety, and overall experience for all travelers. Below are the benefits for this project:

Safety

Safety

Pavement

Pavement Condition

Capacity

Capacity

Corridor CompletionCorridor Completion

Overhead Bridge Reconstruction

Reconstructing overhead bridges is essential to make way for the widening of the PA Turnpike below, which will improve safety and road conditions.  See below for a list of both active and upcoming bridge reconstruction projects.

Tilghman Street Overhead Bridge (Milepost A57.06)

Staged Construction in Progress

  • Traffic on Tilghman Street remains in the final configuration.
  • Final mill and overlay, as well as Politeyester Polymer Concrete (PPC) overlay of the bridge deck will be completed.
  • Traffic on the mainline remains shifted, with final mill and pave work underway. The contractor expects traffic to be in its final configuration in both directions by the end of April. 
  • Commuters using Tilghman Street may encounter lane closures during the day and night. These closures will be limited to a few weeks for paving and PPC overlay, with any minor cleanup work likely to occur offline or utilizing shoulder closures. 

The PA Turnpike will coordinate closely with PennDOT and local municipalities as construction progresses. The goal is not to disrupt local traffic if possible.

Construction Progress Photo

Tilghman Final Configuration

Lower Macungie Road Overhead Bridge (Milepost A53.38)

Staged Construction in Progress

Construction began in October 2024 with stage two underway. The work updates include:

  • Lower Macungie Road is now open to traffic.
  • Little Spur Road, and Millrace Road are in final configuration and open to traffic.
  • Little Spur Road will be milled and overlayed in the next few weeks.
  • Mainline traffic is back to its final condition, with no shift. A shoulder closure remains in effect northbound and southbound while abutment demolition continues.
  • Existing bridge demolition continues. Abutment 2 has been removed completely, with work at Abutment 1 progressing rapidly. Demolition activities to continue through April.
  • Final mainline paving to be performed in May 2026.
  • Sediment basin conversions are ongoing, with both final basins to be completed in mid-late May. 
  • The plan is available for review.

The PA Turnpike will coordinate closely with PennDOT and local municipalities as construction progresses. The goal is not to disrupt local traffic if possible.

Construction Progress Photo

 

Lower Macungie Road Overhead Bridge

 

Lower Macungie Rd Looking East – 04 Dec 2024Lower Macungie Rd Looking West – 04 Dec 2024

East Texas Road Overhead Bridge (Milepost A54.29)

  • Final design plans available for review
  • Design Progress: 90% complete
  • PPL is relocating the aerial lines

I-78 Overhead Bridge (Milepost A56.18)

  • Design Progress: Progressing toward 90% complete by summer 2026
  • Final design plan available for review
  • Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit application has been published in the PA Bulletin
  • Continued coordination with PennDOT
  • Coordinating with PPL on outages needed for the 500kv line over the bridge

Hamilton Boulevard Overhead Bridge (Milepost A55.31)

    • Design Progress: 60% design has been completed. Progressing toward 75%
    • Coordinating with utilities: PPL, Verizon, AT&T and UGI
    • NPDES permit will be submitted in the second quarter of 2026
    • Coordination with PennDOT continues

Roadway Reconstruction & Widening

Below is a Typical Section graphic showing the configuration before and after a total reconstruction and widening project.

At project completion, the new roadway will accommodate three travel lanes in each direction, a 26-foot median, and 12-foot outside shoulders.

I476 Existing and Proposed Typical Section

Turnpike TV Videos

Check out Turnpike TV, the PA Turnpike’s video series highlighting our projects, daily operations, and team members. Watch below and visit our Turnpike TV page for the full series.

Total Reconstruction Video

Total Reconstruction

Right of Way Video

Right of Way

Final Design Video

Final Design

Noise Walls Video

Noise Walls

Documents

Explore our additional project documents for more information.

Future Detours - Proposed

A Work Zone Traffic Control Analysis was completed in conformance with PennDOT’s Traffic Engineering Manual, Publication 46, March 2013 Edition. The report includes analyses to identify anticipated delays that may result in detours during construction. See the project schedule below for the estimated construction start dates. The following detours are anticipated: 

  • The East Texas Road Bridge Replacement (T.R. 471), which crosses over the PA Turnpike at MP A54.29, will be reconstructed, resulting in a detour of traffic along East Texas Road and Hidden Valley Road. For more details, please review the second page of the design plan exhibit.
  • The Hamilton Boulevard Bridge Replacement (SR 0222), which crosses over the PA Turnpike at MP A55.31, will be reconstructed, resulting in a westbound, eastbound, or full westbound/eastbound detour of traffic along Hamilton Boulevard.

Detours will be further refined and coordinated with the municipalities and PennDOT District 5-0.

More Project Resources

Overview

Learn about this construction project.

Learn More

News

Learn the latest news about this project.

Stay Updated

Improvements

Learn about project improvements.

Learn More

Contact

Meet the team for this project.

Contact Team

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