As part of the Environmental Assessment, PennDOT conducted additional traffic counts in winter 2024 throughout the entire project area to ensure as accurate an assessment as possible of the existing traffic conditions along the entire project corridor.
Are any traffic signals being added to PA 413 (Pine Street)?
Two new traffic signals will be added along PA 413 (Pine Street) as part of this project. One traffic signal will be at the intersection of PA 413 (Pine Street) with the proposed U.S. 1 northbound ramp and Woods Drive, and the second traffic signal will be at the intersection of PA 413 (Pine Street) with the proposed U.S. 1 southbound ramp and Gillam Avenue. The traffic signals will control and direct traffic through these intersections. Crosswalks and bicycle/pedestrian facilities will be provided for and accommodated at these intersections.
Can the proposed new traffic signals on PA 413 (Pine Street) be roundabouts?
The PennDOT design team investigated proposed roundabouts at the PA 413 / proposed U.S. 1 ramp intersections and found that due to traffic flow patterns, specifically at the PA 413 / U.S. 1 SB ramp intersection, proposed roundabouts result in traffic queuing (backing up) onto U.S. 1 during peak travel times within 10 years (2035). As such, roundabouts at these intersections are no longer being considered.
Are roundabouts the same as traffic circles?
Modern roundabouts are not the same as traffic circles and provide significant safety and operational improvements over traffic circles. Please watch the video at the following link for further explanation. https://youtu.be/nNXRlWgAVOg
Does this project provide pedestrian and bicycle accommodations?
Yes, the project provides the following proposed pedestrian and bicycle accommodations:
- A 10-foot-wide sidepath is proposed along the east side of PA 413 (Pine Street), and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk is proposed along the west side of PA 413 (Pine Street) within the project limits to connect the existing sidewalks north and south of the project.
- 5-foot-wide paved shoulders will be provided on the West Interchange Road and Corn Crib Lane overpasses.
- In areas where the existing frontage (service) roads are no longer needed, the design team is investigating replacing the existing pavement with a shared-use (pedestrian and bicyclist) path. This is being done in coordination with the local municipalities. As of now, Middletown Township has voiced its support for including a shared-use path, while Langhorne Manor Borough has requested not to have the path within their respective boundaries.
Will there be noise walls constructed with this project?
A detailed noise study is being completed for the project. If warranted, reasonable, and feasible in accordance with PennDOT Publication 24, noise walls will be proposed as part of this project.
In areas where noise walls are proposed, the local impacted property owners will have a vote on whether to accept the noise wall. A simple majority will determine whether the potential proposed noise wall will be incorporated into the project.
When will construction begin? How long will construction last?
Construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2029. Due to the complexity of the proposed project, construction is anticipated to take three years to complete.
What will happen to the frontage roads?
In areas where the frontage (service) roads are needed for access to adjacent properties, they will be retained but disconnected from U.S. 1. In areas where existing frontage roads are no longer needed, the design team is investigating replacing the existing pavement with a shared-use (pedestrian and bicyclist) path. This is being done in coordination with the local municipalities.
In areas where frontage roads are no longer needed, the adjacent connecting local roads will be terminated with hammerhead turnarounds. Hammerhead turnarounds are being proposed instead of cul-de-sacs to minimize impacts to adjacent property owners.
How will the project address safety within the project corridor?
First and foremost, the project addresses safety by closing the intermediate access crossovers between the frontage roads and U.S. 1. These locations are known to have a high crash frequency.
Secondly, the project replaces the concrete separator islands with proposed 12-foot to 14-foot-wide paved shoulders and concrete median barriers. These improvements provide safe pull-off areas for disabled vehicles as well as keep errant vehicles on U.S. 1.
Thirdly, the project replaces the remaining three overpasses on U.S. 1 between I-295 and the I-276 (PA Turnpike) that have deficient vertical clearance, which reduces the likelihood of vehicles striking the overpasses.
Predictive safety analysis of the above-mentioned improvements indicates that fewer crashes are expected in this build scenario versus the no build scenario along U.S. 1 and the service roads. This reduction can be attributed to the removal of the service roads and the associated intermediate crossovers. Additionally, crashes on the overall local road network are expected to remain essentially the same, with a minimal reduction in the build scenario that can be attributed to the installation of the proposed roundabouts and mini-roundabout.
What happens if PennDOT needs my property for the project?
If your property (or a portion of your property) is needed for the project, a PennDOT representative will contact you once plans have been prepared for the Acquisition of Right-of-Way in the final design phase of the project. See the brochure below for more information.