Quakertown Interchange

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. Preliminary design is progressing on the reconstruction and widening of the Northeast Extension between mileposts A44 and A57 (just north of and including the Lehigh Valley Interchange).

No. The Turnpike does not raise tolls to fund individual projects.

The estimated cost is still being developed.

The project is funded entirely by Turnpike toll dollars, with no federal funds or state tax dollars involved.

The PTC continues to work with local, state and federal regulatory agencies such as the Bucks County Conservation Offices, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and local special interest groups to make sure the project is completed with the least impact to the existing environment.

Engineering noise studies will be conducted during the design process. At this time it has not been determined if sound barriers will be warranted.

John Fries Highway (SR 663) will remain open to traffic during construction but is expected to have long term lane restrictions as the bridges are replaced in stages. Steinsburg Road, although in the project area, was previously reconstructed and lengthened and will not be impacted with this project.

The project is planned to start following completion of the MP A38-A43 project currently under construction. The current plan is for the MP A43-A44 to start in 2030 or later and is expected to take four years to complete.

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’s Northeast Extension 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 existing Quakertown Interchange ramps will also be reconstructed. Because the PA Turnpike will be converting to Open Road Tolling prior to the reconstruction, the existing Toll Plaza will be removed and additional ramps will be added to facilitate traffic volumes.