PA Turnpike News

[roadman65]

Im not really into Lancaster being lost as much as the addition of Manheim really is a surprise.

I always thought that Lancaster at PA 283 at Harrisburg East was something that should be done whether Hershey be removed for it or on supplemental guides.

I researched Google to why PTC uses Hershey and it was conceived as a popular place with many attractions warranting it at the time.  However with modern GPS and the fact traffic from SE PA exits at PA 72 and travels west on US 322 to PA 39, that PTC would update it at Harrisburg East going WB.

[vdeane]

Interesting observation this weekend.  The PTC has been using trailer-based VSL signs between Somerset and New Stanton for a few years now.  However, I noticed around MP 80, there are now permanent VSL signs with flashing beacons.  However, they are not the same type.  The WB sign is the normal sign with the digital number display (similar to what is used in the Philly area on free I-76).  However, the EB sign appears to be one of those rotating panel signs, as it looks like a normal speed limit sign but you can see the gaps between the panels.  I'm guessing they would only switch from 70 MPH to preset limits (55 & 45).

PennDOT is using them too on I-81 and I-80 in areas that can easily have snow squalls come through, and I wish they were just permanent at this point.

Eh, I'm not really a fan of them.  I personally find that either they're too zealous in reducing the limit and you're stuck going slower than you would otherwise need, or conditions are bad enough that even the reduced limit is too fast for conditions.  Of course, the main example I deal with any regularity is the Cuomo Bridge, which reduces to 45 whenever there's weather.  A drop of rain?  45.  A snowflake?  45.  A light breeze?  45.  It's a coin toss as to whether it will be 45 or the (already slow enough to feel like crawling) 55 (I need the cruise control just to keep myself from going 10-15 over on this stretch of Thruway), and I can't recall that I've encountered weather that actually would require me to go that slow.

[MASTERNC]

Speaking of the new VSL signs, there is now a new interchange planned right where they're located for PA 981. This project is going to go ahead of the PA 130 one because the roadways are already capable of handling it

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2026/08/18/pennsylvania-turnpike-new-interchange-route-981-westmoreland-county/stories/202608180033

[ARMOURERERIC]

You post caused me to look at the main Design and Construction page....an interchange has also been added for PA 283

[CentralPAGal]

I wonder if they're going to tie the ramps into the widened (but not striped) section at the Swatara Creek bridge right next to it, or if they're just gonna cheap out, and do the bare minimum of adding the ramps

[Dough4872]

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2026/08/18/pa-turnpike-to-build-new-interchange-at-sr-981-in-westmoreland-county Looks like an interchange is being built at PA 981 in Westmoreland County while the proposed PA 130 interchange farther west is being paused.

[Henry]

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2026/08/18/pa-turnpike-to-build-new-interchange-at-sr-981-in-westmoreland-county Looks like an interchange is being built at PA 981 in Westmoreland County while the proposed PA 130 interchange farther west is being paused.

I saw on Wikipedia that the PA 130 exit would be Exit 62. Also...

Middletown, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) announced a new interchange will be built where the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) crosses State Route 981 in Mount Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County.

The Board of Commissioners approved a change to the Fiscal Year 2027 10-Year Capital Plan today that allocates funding for the design of the new connection. The project builds upon ongoing investments in the SR 981 corridor and reflects a commitment to strengthening Westmoreland County's transportation network, improving access, and supporting future economic growth.

"Westmoreland County is growing, and Route 981 is critical to that growth," said PennDOT Secretary and PA Turnpike Commission Chair Mike Carroll. "This new interchange builds on the more than $220 million we're already investing here, and will create an important connection for the region that paves the way for future opportunities."

The new interchange, around Milepost 80.8, will be built approximately 15 minutes south of the renovated Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The new interchange will provide improved regional mobility and connectivity in the Greater New Stanton area.

"The Route 981 Interchange will strengthen connection between the PA Turnpike and Westmoreland County," said PA Turnpike Commission CEO Mark Compton. "For more than 85 years, the PA Turnpike has served as a critical corridor for commerce and connectivity across Pennsylvania. By building on investments already made along Route 981, this new access point will improve mobility, strengthen access to a major transportation network and create new opportunities for businesses, jobs and economic growth in Westmoreland County and across the Commonwealth."

The SR 981 project is feasible due to the PA Turnpike's transition to Open Road Tolling (ORT), which will fully launch across the main PA Turnpike system in January 2027. This cashless, free-flowing mode of collecting tolls without traditional toll plazas or toll booths, allows the Commission to collect tolls as customers drive at highway speeds without slowing down or stopping beneath overhead structures — called gantries — located between interchanges. ORT allows the Commission to build interchanges with a smaller footprint and lower costs of the old design that required traffic to funnel on and off through a traditional toll plaza.

"The planned interchanges at SR 981 and SR 130 continue to remain priority projects as they are both critical to the continuing growth of Westmoreland County and the overall economic success of our region and I'm pleased the Turnpike Commission recognizes that," said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. "Completing the SR 981 project, which has been on the books for 20 years, is significantly less expensive than SR130 because tens of millions of dollars have already been spent toward that project. Completing SR 981 for operation will not only help current and future businesses save money on logistics but will also create easier access for those businesses that move freight to use the Arnold Palmer Airport instead of driving to Pittsburgh. Additionally, it creates much easier access to the turnpike for many communities. It's a win for Westmoreland County to complete one project and immediately move toward completing a second project".

Ongoing investments in this area from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) through the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project improves safety, mobility and access along the Route 981 Corridor which will better support the additional traffic generated by the future interchange.

"Westmoreland County is a great place to live, work and invest, and projects like this help us build on that momentum," said PA State Representative Eric Davanzo. "Creating direct access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike along Route 981 will open new possibilities for our communities, make it easier for people to reach the places they need to go and give employers another reason to choose Westmoreland County."

The project will be the first built using "Design-Build Best Value" procurement process, approved under Act 21 of 2026, allowing the Commission to award construction contracts to firms that offer the best value in terms of cost savings and time. This will allow for projects to be completed more quickly and at a lower cost.

The project is in early stages of development. Cost and schedule details will be released as they become available.

Funding is available for this project due to changes to the SR 130 Interchange Project, which is currently paused following the results of a comprehensive traffic study conducted during preliminary engineering. The study identified significant traffic mitigation needs associated with the proposed interchange, requiring additional planning, resources and time.

According to this, it looks like the PA 981 interchange will be labeled Exit 81. (BTW, it's not listed on the Wikipedia page)

[vdeane]

You post caused me to look at the main Design and Construction page....an interchange has also been added for PA 283

Interesting... maybe that one will have the Lancaster control city, at least EB.

[74/171FAN]

I would not speculate on exit numbers until plans actually show one....

[roadman65]

You post caused me to look at the main Design and Construction page....an interchange has also been added for PA 283

So an actual interchange where the Turnpike and PA 283 intersect is on the books?



I also see going from PA 283 to the Turnpike requires a Breezewood Signal as the loop ramp was removed.   That direct connection will allow a perfect freeway to freeway transfer.

[ARMOURERERIC]

I'm sure that with the importance of a connection with a major freeway, like PA 283, that the PTC will spare no expense and either build a volley ball or SPUI type exit

[MASTERNC]

The only downside of these new interchanges is tolls will likely increase because any full-movement interchange would require a new toll point (which now has a fixed gantry charge) to ensure travel between the new interchange and existing interchanges is tolled. 

[CentralPAGal]

https://www.abc27.com/local-news/pennsylvania-turnpike-commission-announces-plans-for-pair-of-new-ramps-on-route-283/

According to the article, the new PA 283 project will be 2 ramps. ramps will be westbound PA 283 to westbound PATP, (likely a loop ramp) and eastbound PATP to eastbound PA 283.

I wonder if PennDot will initiate a project to remove that dumb left turn and red light after this is done?

[74/171FAN]

I wonder if PennDot will initiate a project to remove that dumb left turn and red light after this is done?

I doubt that for the traffic in the Middletown area.

[vdeane]

Yeah, there are no less than three interchanges between I-283 and where the Turnpike ramps would be, including the airport.  Traffic from those will need the traffic light.

[wildcat7176]

https://www.abc27.com/local-news/pennsylvania-turnpike-commission-announces-plans-for-pair-of-new-ramps-on-route-283/

According to the article, the new PA 283 project will be 2 ramps. ramps will be westbound PA 283 to westbound PATP, (likely a loop ramp) and eastbound PATP to eastbound PA 283.

I wonder if PennDot will initiate a project to remove that dumb left turn and red light after this is done?

I figured it would be just same-directional access. That's similar in nature to the proposed "Scranton Beltway" project for 476 and 81, though that doesn't seem to be moving forward anytime soon.