What was optimal for highway safety when the PA Turnpike was built is not the same today. This project is a much-needed update to a stretch of Turnpike that opened in 1950 and today can see about 36,000 vehicles daily.
WIDER
Four lanes become six lanes. A ten-foot median becomes a full twenty-six. And a few short years of construction yield a vastly improved level of comfort and efficiency on a heavily traveled three-mile stretch of the PA Turnpike.
SMOOTHER
For the first time since its construction in 1950, this section of roadway will be completely removed—road bed, pavement, drainage and all—and rebuilt from the ground up. Roads will be smoother, and curves and slopes will be gentler.
SAFER
A widened median will allow for a full 12-foot inner shoulder on each side of the highway to keep traffic moving and maximize flow in the event of an accident or breakdown. Updated paving, and softer slopes and curves will fit the modern driving styles and traffic patterns, to ensure that drivers can negotiate them safely and easily.
The project will result in an altogether safer, better driving experience for the Turnpike customers traveling through this corridor.
Message from the Chief Engineer
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is currently in the process of rebuilding over 500 miles of roadway, and to date, 110 of those miles have been completed. Over the next two years, these changes will present a number of logistical challenges, and we’ll be taking steps to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.
We’re rebuilding a system that’s 75 years old in some areas and was originally designed to last about 50 years; I assure you, we would not be doing this job if it weren't absolutely necessary.
We’ll work to minimize disruption at every possible opportunity—maintaining the usual four available lanes throughout the conversion to six, using a two-stage process that gets the job done faster and keeps traffic flowing. When construction absolutely requires a reduction to two active lanes, we’ll do so only during off-peak hours.
I urge you to keep these factors in mind as construction between mileposts 242 and 245 begins this spring. While our ultimate objective is to achieve greater levels of comfort, safety, and efficiency, you can be assured that we’ll do our best to maintain those conditions during the next two years of construction.
- Chief Engineer of PA Turnpike, Bradley Heigel
PROJECT Overview
As part of the PA Turnpike Commission’s commitment to rebuild the entire Turnpike from the ground up, we’re increasing the existing four lanes to six lanes (three in each direction), with a new 26-foot median from the Harrisburg West Interchange (milepost 242) to the Susquehanna River Bridge (milepost 245). For the sake of drivers, four lanes of traffic will be maintained as often as possible throughout construction. The $94-million project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2018; mainline construction will be complete by fall 2017.
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Progress
Any information that could affect you and your travels during this construction project can be found here. Check back frequently for timely, accurate updates to help you prepare for safe navigation through the work zone.
Turnpike travelers can also get up-to-date travel information by calling 866-976-TRIP (8747) or visiting the live Travel Conditions Map online at www.paturnpike.com/webmap. The Turnpike's smartphone app, TRIP Talk, streams audio advisories to iPhone and Android users. To download the free app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.