PA Turnpike News

[ARMOURERERIC]

Do you all think/anyone know if PTC will launch any new major construction projects in 2025?  Right now, I'm not seeing any evidence of it happening.

Perhaps this will answer your question...the PTC finally posted the FY2025 Capital Plan in full:

https://files.paturnpike.com/production/docs/default-source/resources/investor-relations/capital-plan/2025-capital-plan.pdf?sfvrsn=6c87a4dc_6

From what I can tell, the only possibility for a major project to start sometime next year is the MP 320-324 Reconstruction. There's a lot of money being spent on the ORT conversion, and it seems like there's a general reduction in capital spending for the next few years.

However, several new projects are beginning design, including MP 26-28, MP 38-40 (reconstructed already, but still 4 lanes), MP 155-161, and the Breezewood Interchange MP 160-163 (?!)

That is exactly what I was looking for, its 2 months later than it usually hits.

[Crown Victoria]

An annual tradition continues...with a twist:

The PTC approved a 5% toll increase for next year, but some passenger vehicle trips will cost less, due to a revision in how tolls are calculated:

https://www.unionprogress.com/2024/07/02/some-motorists-will-get-a-break-next-year-as-pennsylvania-turnpike-changes-how-it-calculates-tolls/

[vdeane]

However, several new projects are beginning design, including MP 26-28, MP 38-40 (reconstructed already, but still 4 lanes), MP 155-161, and the Breezewood Interchange MP 160-163 (?!)

Given that it's listed in reconstruction and not interchanges, I'm guessing they're just reconstructing the existing 1.5 mile long "ramp", not reconfiguring everything.  But at least it looks like the other ramps at the I-95/I-295 interchange are going forward.

[Crown Victoria]

However, several new projects are beginning design, including MP 26-28, MP 38-40 (reconstructed already, but still 4 lanes), MP 155-161, and the Breezewood Interchange MP 160-163 (?!)

Given that it's listed in reconstruction and not interchanges, I'm guessing they're just reconstructing the existing 1.5 mile long "ramp", not reconfiguring everything.  But at least it looks like the other ramps at the I-95/I-295 interchange are going forward.

Yeah, probably that's all that will be. It should be noted that the Allegheny Tunnel Improvement Project is listed under Interchanges, not Reconstruction, even though it really fits under the latter (or potentially under Bridges, Tunnels, & Misc. Structures.)

As for the I-95 interchange, I think the focus right now is on reconstructing I-276 from US 1 to I-95. Would be nice to see some design work on those interchange ramps though.

[MASTERNC]

Reading the article about the toll increase, a passenger car that travels across the mainline Turnpike (old ticket system, excluding Gateway) will pay 10% more next year. That fixed charge of $1.09 per gantry is killer. A per-mile rate (even if higher) would be even more fair.

[Mr_Northside]

MP 38-40 (reconstructed already, but still 4 lanes)

I've seen the PTC claim those miles were fully reconstructed for years on their site, but I just don't believe it.
All of the other full reconstructions - even the first few that didn't widen to 6-lanes, still widened the inside shoulders (median) and replaced most, if not all, structures.  None of that seemed to happen between MP38-40. There's practically no inside shoulders around and thru the Butler Valley interchange.  Also, is seems a section being fully reconstructed takes about 2 seasons (years) or so.  I don't recall anything like that there.  (though as of last fall (according to Streetview), it does have some fresh asphalt. 

That said, for the future reconstruction of this section, I wonder if the Butler Valley interchange will be modified into something other than the current double-trumpet as part of it.

[vdeane]

Reading the article about the toll increase, a passenger car that travels across the mainline Turnpike (old ticket system, excluding Gateway) will pay 10% more next year. That fixed charge of $1.09 per gantry is killer. A per-mile rate (even if higher) would be even more fair.

Yikes.  That's a 407-style practice right there.  And it gets worse:

Kelli Roberts, the turnpike's chief strategy and communications officer, said customers will notice a change on their E-ZPass account when they review it online next year. Currently, the account shows which plaza they used to enter and exit the turnpike, but next year it will show the gantries they passed under in the eastern part of the state and the charge for each segment they travel.

MassDOT does this right.  Why in the world is nobody following MassDOT's example?  Yes, I know the Thruway does it this way, but IMO the Thruway is a good example of how not to do AET!

(personal opinion)

[ARMOURERERIC]

What shocks me is how some of the reconstruction projects are hitting 100,000,000 a mile.

[Bitmapped]

Reading the article about the toll increase, a passenger car that travels across the mainline Turnpike (old ticket system, excluding Gateway) will pay 10% more next year. That fixed charge of $1.09 per gantry is killer. A per-mile rate (even if higher) would be even more fair.

If you look at the current toll schedule, there is a clear base charge + miles traveled system in place. From Bensalem Exit 351, for example, Fort Washington at 12 miles is $3.30 ($0.275 per mile). Valley Forge is actually higher at $0.228, and a long distance exit like Irwin is $0.139 per mile.

I suspect PTC has concerns that a strictly-mileage based rate would encourage people to use the Turnpike for short distance commutes, especially around Philadelphia. They don't necessarily want that traffic because the interchanges are expensive to build and maintain. If they're going to get commuters, they want them to pay costs associated with the interchanges they use. The segment+mileage setup is imperfect but does at least indirectly accomplish that.

[Gnutella]

MP 38-40 (reconstructed already, but still 4 lanes)

I've seen the PTC claim those miles were fully reconstructed for years on their site, but I just don't believe it.
All of the other full reconstructions - even the first few that didn't widen to 6-lanes, still widened the inside shoulders (median) and replaced most, if not all, structures.  None of that seemed to happen between MP38-40. There's practically no inside shoulders around and thru the Butler Valley interchange.  Also, is seems a section being fully reconstructed takes about 2 seasons (years) or so.  I don't recall anything like that there.  (though as of last fall (according to Streetview), it does have some fresh asphalt. 

That said, for the future reconstruction of this section, I wonder if the Butler Valley interchange will be modified into something other than the current double-trumpet as part of it.

I remember there was an emergency reconstruction of the interchange overpass back in the mid-1990s, and I guess they also rebuilt a segment of the Turnpike up to a mile on each side of it. This happened a few years before the Turnpike began their system-wide total reconstruction effort, though, so I guess it was just a partial reconstruction.

It's also worth noting that there's a long bridge span on the Turnpike west of the interchange, which is probably another reason why that segment was put off.

[Mr_Northside]

It's also worth noting that there's a long bridge span on the Turnpike west of the interchange, which is probably another reason why that segment was put off.

That's what I've always figured - There are 2 similar spans that I believe may have been part of why they did other sections first (before money got more tight due to Act44, and still haven't done yet - There's the long span in between Monroeville & Allegheny Valley (where MM 52 is), and another one about a 1.5 miles west of Irwin.
I recall (hopefully correctly) they were significantly rehabbed in the late '80s or very early '90s.  I was young enough that I don't remember a before vs after (just that my mom hated driving thru those construction zones)

Based on the Streetview of the roads underneath, I suspect they were originally built with no shoulders, then were widened to accommodate shoulders (inside and outside) - The one west of Butler Valley & the one @ MM-52 look like they widened a bit with new piers and beams on either side of the original bridge, and the one just west of Irwin had all the new space added on the north side of the original.

I figured years ago when the PTC was doing the full reconstructions that they weren't gonna want to tear these down and rebuild them for a few more years (of course, $$$ has slowed down everything anyway).
Looking at some of the piers using some of that Streetview from roads underneath, it's looking like they're showing their age again.

[MASTERNC]

Map of the ORT gantries has been updated with the locations for the western section of the Turnpike

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4e95c676776b4b0a91d8011666290273

[davewiecking]

Map of the ORT gantries has been updated with the locations for the western section of the Turnpike

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4e95c676776b4b0a91d8011666290273

Am i the only one confused by the I-66 label on the road north from the New Stanton interchange?

[roadman65]

Map of the ORT gantries has been updated with the locations for the western section of the Turnpike

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4e95c676776b4b0a91d8011666290273

Am i the only one confused by the I-66 label on the road north from the New Stanton interchange?

I've seen worse.

Back in the day of the old hotel directories the maps on their got lots of designations wrong.

[74/171FAN]

It looks like the PennDOT-maintained portion of PA 43 in Uniontown is not an interstate then.    

I-576 may be wishful thinking by politicians long-term.

[Rothman]

Oof. 

*runs off to check NYSDOT's GIS, hoping it's PennDOT making NY look good yet again*

[vdeane]

Map of the ORT gantries has been updated with the locations for the western section of the Turnpike

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4e95c676776b4b0a91d8011666290273

Interesting that they're replacing Gateway even though there's already ORT there.  I assume that's due to widening?  I hope they don't make it two-way, given that Ohio JUST switched Eastgate to one-way in the opposite direction.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Saw a notice on the PTC bid lettings page for an upcoming bid solicitationfor a new interchange at MP 238 in Harrisburg for Lisburn Rd, east us US 15.

[MASTERNC]

Sounds like the on-road part of the widening project west of Somerset is basically done.

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2024/08/20/six-lanes-to-fully-open-as-pa-turnpike-completes-reconstruction-project-in-somerset-county

[BrianP]

Sounds like the on-road part of the widening project west of Somerset is basically done.

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2024/08/20/six-lanes-to-fully-open-as-pa-turnpike-completes-reconstruction-project-in-somerset-county

From Google Maps I see that this included a couple of small realignments. 

You can see one here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/q4aoYTTYRnG1vsN79
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UHtaqRSpv8UoEoq7

And the other here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/P2vs88JoEfcszoCW7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hAR8jhUp4t9xhxJ3A

Also was this a section that was reconstructed but not widened?  I see a few places where overpasses were replaced but not widened.  So they had to be replaced again for the widening.

[MASTERNC]

Sounds like the on-road part of the widening project west of Somerset is basically done.

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2024/08/20/six-lanes-to-fully-open-as-pa-turnpike-completes-reconstruction-project-in-somerset-county

From Google Maps I see that this included a couple of small realignments. 

You can see one here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/q4aoYTTYRnG1vsN79
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UHtaqRSpv8UoEoq7

And the other here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/P2vs88JoEfcszoCW7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hAR8jhUp4t9xhxJ3A

Also was this a section that was reconstructed but not widened?  I see a few places where overpasses were replaced but not widened.  So they had to be replaced again for the widening.

That entire section was widened to six lanes.  Some of the bridges may have been replaced and widened previously.  The section east of Somerset was rebuilt but before the PTC decided to include widening.  Ironically, that stretch really could have used the extra lanes, and now might be one of the last sections on the entire Turnpike to be widened.

[Gnutella]

Sounds like the on-road part of the widening project west of Somerset is basically done.

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2024/08/20/six-lanes-to-fully-open-as-pa-turnpike-completes-reconstruction-project-in-somerset-county

From Google Maps I see that this included a couple of small realignments. 

You can see one here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/q4aoYTTYRnG1vsN79
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UHtaqRSpv8UoEoq7

And the other here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/P2vs88JoEfcszoCW7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hAR8jhUp4t9xhxJ3A

Also was this a section that was reconstructed but not widened?  I see a few places where overpasses were replaced but not widened.  So they had to be replaced again for the widening.

That entire section was widened to six lanes.  Some of the bridges may have been replaced and widened previously.  The section east of Somerset was rebuilt but before the PTC decided to include widening.  Ironically, that stretch really could have used the extra lanes, and now might be one of the last sections on the entire Turnpike to be widened.

There's no point in widening that segment until after the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel is bypassed.

[wildcat7176]

I recently read that in the 1990s, the PTC considered building an interchange at PA 743 between Hershey and Elizabethtown, but they determined it "wasn't needed". Maybe for the local area, it wasn't needed, but it certainly would have helped for people from the Philadelphia area/South Jersey traveling to Hershey, as right now they have to take the Turnpike west to Lebanon-Lancaster, then use the mostly two-lane PA 72 and US 322 to Hershey (though it is a scenic route, it doesn't seem very efficient). I would think that the Hershey Company itself and the various establishments that rely on Hershey's tourism would have liked greater accessibility to the town from the east.

[ARMOURERERIC]

PTC is advertising for bids for a new  mainline interchange in Cumberland Couty at MP 238.  When I look at the map, I'm not seeing an apparent need.  Whats up with this?

[davewiecking]

PTC is advertising for bids for a new  mainline interchange in Cumberland Couty at MP 238.  When I look at the map, I'm not seeing an apparent need.  Whats up with this?

I have no special knowledge of this area, but maybe something to take pressure off the adjacent interchanges? 238 is actually right at the train tracks, but Rossmoyne Road looks like a likely candidate, or Lisburn Road.
Lots of new houses going up in that immediate area. (Maybe a PTC commissioner invested in one of those developers...)