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Pennsylvania

Started by Alex, March 07, 2009, 07:01:05 PM

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noelbotevera

What about the section from the river north to the Eisenhower? There's some really old overpasses and it's really narrow. I actually get nervous at that section of I-83 because of how narrow it is. One scary overpass for me is the 19th Street overpass, it seems much lower than 14 feet. Also, that section is always congested, even outside of rush hour. That section is a problem whenever I've went to Hersheypark before, most recently last summer, and that was a slog up until the Eisenhower Interchange.


74/171FAN

Quote from: noelbotevera on June 14, 2016, 02:20:16 AM
What about the section from the river north to the Eisenhower? There's some really old overpasses and it's really narrow. I actually get nervous at that section of I-83 because of how narrow it is. One scary overpass for me is the 19th Street overpass, it seems much lower than 14 feet. Also, that section is always congested, even outside of rush hour. That section is a problem whenever I've went to Hersheypark before, most recently last summer, and that was a slog up until the Eisenhower Interchange.

From what I remember (and verified on the I-83 Master Plan), the Eisenhower interchange reconstruction will be after Section 1, then it will be from there to the river after that.  (basically each contract following I-83 SB)
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

CentralPAGal

#352
Quote from: Roadsguy on June 12, 2016, 10:55:56 PM
Quote from: CentralPAguy on June 12, 2016, 07:15:07 PM
Given that they just modified it, and the fact that further upgrades aren't in Penndot's 12 year plan, I wouldn't expect to even hear about a full reconstruction of 83/581 for another decade, at minimum. That said, looks like the Lowther st. bridge that was redone in 2012, was designed with expansion in mind.

PennDOT at least had a much better redesign as part of the "Master Plan" for I-83. Not sure if that's been pushed to the far back burner, with the new design being mostly a quick fix, or cancelled outright in favor of the new design.

The Lowther St. bridge really does have plenty of room, and the new I-83 mainline and SB on-ramp from 581 in the original design appear to fit right into the new bridge.
Yes, there is room for at least 2 lanes plus full shoulders in both directions, plus some assorted ramps, and that's why even though they half-assed things, I do believe that they eventually intend to do the redesign depicted in the I-83 master plan. Just a matter of funding and priorities.

Quote from: Roadsguy on June 12, 2016, 10:55:56 PM
Quote from: CentralPAguy on June 12, 2016, 07:15:07 PM
I-83/Turnpike interchange reconfiguration? That's simply not going to happen unless the PTC plans to widen the turnpike under I-83 and has to do work around there

The PTC has ultimate plans to widen the entire Turnpike to six lanes, except in the tunnels, so a widening under I-83 would happen eventually. As for an actual interchange redesign, though, there isn't much room to redesign it and tie in the interchange immediately north on 83, so a beefed-up double-trumpet and maybe an extra slip ramp or two are probably all that would ever happen.

Yes, I should have said "until". And you're right, there really isn't alot of room. Personally, I wouldn't have any issue with the Limekiln Rd. exit immediately to the north being shut down. That will not happen though. The restaurants and motels there would have a fit.

Unrelated: Does anyone know if Penndot has any intentions of eventually reconstructing the rest of the substandard sections of I-83 outside York, Harrisburg and Shrewsbury?
Clinched:
I: 83, 97, 176, 180 (PA), 270 (MD), 283, 395 (MD), 470 (OH-WV), 471, 795 (MD)
Traveled:
I: 70, 71, 75, 76 (E), 78, 79, 80, 81, 86 (E), 95, 99, 270 (OH), 275 (KY-IN-OH), 376, 495 (MD-VA), 579, 595 (MD), 695 (MD)
US: 1, 9, 11, 13, 15, 22, 25, 30, 40, 42, 50, 113, 119, 127, 209, 220, 222, 301

ARMOURERERIC

As I ask every so often:  How is the "Decade of investment" program going and how is the big PPP bridge replacement work going?

mariethefoxy

has PennDOT been replacing a lot of signs lately? I've noticed far less forward-tilted signs than before and these are newer looking signs with highway gothic vs clearview. The gantries don't seem brand new.

I noticed this on 78 in Allentown area and in the Harrisburg area on 81


Also my car hates the mountainous terrain of central PA.

briantroutman

This probably isn't big enough to warrant it's own thread...

I was in Pennsylvania about a week ago and noticed that the 2016 Official Tourism and Transportation Maps have arrived–or at least they had at the I-80 welcome center near Stroudsburg. PennDOT has updated the PDF version available on their website to reflect the 2016 edition.

A few observations:

- New map is more tightly cropped on PA and cuts out OH 11; Fairmont, WV; and Reisterstown, MD which were previously visible

- Secondary road geometry is now more complex and perhaps more realistic–more sharp corners and jagged alignments

- This map shows absolutely no new roads under construction anywhere within the state–this despite work currently underway on the second segment of Pittsburgh's Southern Beltway, the US 219 freeway in Somerset County, and at least the Susquehanna River bridge of the CSVT near Northumberland

- E-ZPass-only exit at Hickory Run added

- "Old Stone House"  POI added near Slippery Rock

- Numerous hiking trail changes

- West Lawn now back on the map near Reading

- Earlier maps made it appear as if the I-99 freeway continued all the way to I-80; now there's roughly 2/3 of a mile that's shown as a non-access controlled divided highway, then an undivided highway

- PennDOT has long used a triangle in a semicircle symbol on freeways to show rest areas and a bare triangle along secondary highways to mark the NO COMFORT FACILITIES wayside picnic areas, many of which have been around since the '40s. I noticed a new one marked on William Penn Highway just of PA 33 near Easton, and thinking that odd, I pulled it up on Google Maps and noticed that it's a new and rather large park and ride lot, not a picnic or rest area. While it wasn't on earlier maps, the smaller park and ride lot at the Quakertown Interchange of the NE Extension had been. Seems odd that these two park and rides would be labeled as if they were no-bathroom rest areas. I don't see any other park and rides labeled as picnic areas elsewhere across the state

CentralPAGal

#356
Update: I-83 East Shore Section 1 is under way. As of yesterday, the Elmerton Ave Bridge, which closed last month, is currently being dismantled. The approaches to the bridge have been dug out, and the structure over the beam has been removed. I suspect that they will be removing the beams very soon. Additionally, at least one new ramp alignment (SW quadrant) has been graded at the US 22 interchange.

Edit: Rolling closures on I-83 tonight to Monday morning to remove old bridge beams. http://fox43.com/2016/07/16/overnight-traffic-stoppages-scheduled-for-i-83-in-colonial-park-area/
Clinched:
I: 83, 97, 176, 180 (PA), 270 (MD), 283, 395 (MD), 470 (OH-WV), 471, 795 (MD)
Traveled:
I: 70, 71, 75, 76 (E), 78, 79, 80, 81, 86 (E), 95, 99, 270 (OH), 275 (KY-IN-OH), 376, 495 (MD-VA), 579, 595 (MD), 695 (MD)
US: 1, 9, 11, 13, 15, 22, 25, 30, 40, 42, 50, 113, 119, 127, 209, 220, 222, 301

jpi

Not to change the Philly subject but here is a link of the progress being made at I-83 and Mt Rose Ave (my road meet spot light from April)
http://www.ydr.com/story/news/2016/08/01/i-83-mt-rose-ave-project-what-you-need-know/87357322/
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
Home Of The Barrel

cpzilliacus

Quote from: jpi on August 01, 2016, 04:18:53 PM
Not to change the Philly subject but here is a link of the progress being made at I-83 and Mt Rose Ave (my road meet spot light from April)
http://www.ydr.com/story/news/2016/08/01/i-83-mt-rose-ave-project-what-you-need-know/87357322/

Yeah, I was by there in July, and it was clear that there had been  some progress since your meet. 
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

jpi

I will be back up there for a day middle of this month, looking forward to seeing this progress.
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
Home Of The Barrel

74/171FAN

Also the new US 30 configuration in Gap should open Thursday Night.  The WB lanes will be on a new alignment with the EB lanes on the current alignment.  (and new signals at PA 41 and PA 772, PA 41 NB traffic will ultimately stay straight to go on the US 30 WB lanes)
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

74/171FAN

The loop ramp from US 22 WB to I-83 SB at Exit 50 will be closed tonight and be replaced by a left turn onto a new ramp on the south side of the interchange that connects to the existing ramp from US 22 EB to I-83 SB.
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

jpi

Quote from: 74/171FAN on August 08, 2016, 05:47:12 AM
The loop ramp from US 22 WB to I-83 SB at Exit 50 will be closed tonight and be replaced by a left turn onto a new ramp on the south side of the interchange that connects to the existing ramp from US 22 EB to I-83 SB.
Thanks for the heads up, will have to remember this since this time next week I will be in the Colonial Park area.
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
Home Of The Barrel

Tom958


briantroutman

Quote from: Tom958 on August 08, 2016, 08:11:37 PM
Looks like Series B on that overhead: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2962303,-76.8252778,3a,75y,338.27h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdO01L3aDTyiysD1af9Qq3w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

If you get right under the sign on GSV and look up at it from underneath, you can see that "Jonestown Rd"  is on a greenout panel covering up the previous destination, which was Progress. I think the destination names "Progress"  and "Colonial Park"  provided more useful information to motorists.

ekt8750


LeftyJR

I like Clearview, but not compressed like that - ugh.

DJStephens

Quote from: ekt8750 on August 09, 2016, 12:28:25 AM
Quote from: Tom958 on August 08, 2016, 08:11:37 PM
Looks like Series B on that overhead: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2962303,-76.8252778,3a,75y,338.27h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdO01L3aDTyiysD1af9Qq3w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

That's actually Clearview 5WR artificially compressed.

Ghastly.  The older fonts, especially with the button copy appear so much better.   

74/171FAN

#368
Quote from: CentralPAguy on June 12, 2016, 07:15:07 PM
That, and the section from PA 114 to PA 581 as well, if I am not mistaken. Been keeping an ear out for those projects, but haven't heard anything about them lately.
Prep work has begun for the I-81 widening from PA 114 (Exit 57) to PA 581 (Exit 59).  (It seems to be the plan is to add the third lane in each direction in the current median.)
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

amroad17

Quote from: Roadsguy on September 07, 2016, 12:23:33 PM
PennDOT's new highway gothic APL sign on I-95 seems to be fully uncovered now, as the Blue Route exit now has an option lane. Has PennDOT been using the standard FHWA fonts on any other new signs?
Still won't add Allentown or Scranton to the sign, will they?
I don't need a GPS.  I AM the GPS! (for family and friends)

CentralPAGal

In other news, the I-81 widening project west of Harrisburg has begun:
http://abc27.com/2016/09/12/i-81-widening-project-underway/

Just shoulder work for now
Clinched:
I: 83, 97, 176, 180 (PA), 270 (MD), 283, 395 (MD), 470 (OH-WV), 471, 795 (MD)
Traveled:
I: 70, 71, 75, 76 (E), 78, 79, 80, 81, 86 (E), 95, 99, 270 (OH), 275 (KY-IN-OH), 376, 495 (MD-VA), 579, 595 (MD), 695 (MD)
US: 1, 9, 11, 13, 15, 22, 25, 30, 40, 42, 50, 113, 119, 127, 209, 220, 222, 301

KEVIN_224

I have a question about I-84 in northeast PA: I haven't been in this part of the state in 5 years. I've seen and read about work being done under what the interstate sits on. How has that progressed?

Gnutella

Quote from: KEVIN_224 on September 13, 2016, 12:30:53 AM
I have a question about I-84 in northeast PA: I haven't been in this part of the state in 5 years. I've seen and read about work being done under what the interstate sits on. How has that progressed?

From what I can tell, based on the timetable mentioned in an article from July 2014, reconstruction of the segment from Exit 46 (Milford) to the New York state line should have finished this past spring. Apparently the segment from MM 34 to MM 40 is currently being reconstructed. I'm not sure what the status is of the segment from MM 40 to Exit 46, though.

KEVIN_224

I was on the entire 54-ish miles of I-84 on Tuesday. You're pretty much correct about mile 34 to 40...or close. I have to say the following: I did NOT like that "cattle chute" effect heading back to Connecticut eastbound in the dark. The tractor trailers being so close whizzing past you is bad enough...but what if there's an accident and the vehicle can't reach on of those emergency pull-off areas?

roadman65

Someone here mentioned here in one thread about PennDOT using Wilkes-Barre as a control city on I-81 southbound before Scranton is reached as well as Hazleton staring to see usage from Pittston as Wilkes-Barre vanishes there long before the freeway enters its city limits.

I cannot find that post, but I thought I would say that those are unusual for PennDOT as in other signing practices they wait up until the the last exit before the actual city to sign the next control destination.  Especially that along I-81 northbound that uses Harrisburg from Carlisle on northward, where it is even signed along US 11 & 15 in Enola where having Harrisburg signed is irrelevant because US 11 & 15 come within a mile from the PA capital's city center to the south of that particular interchange.

Then who can forget Trenton being signed in Oxford Valley from US 1, a freeway that goes directly there, and really should have the next city north along I-95 signed from there. 

So whoever mentioned that fact that the Scranton area jumps the gun with control cities signed, I thought I would say that is only a regional thing as other places that should jump the gun, do not.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe



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