Route 283

PA 283 constitutes a freeway between Steelton, southeast of Harrisburg, and the Lancaster Bypass along U.S. 30. The route replaced U.S. 230 (now PA 230) as the main route between Harrisburg and Lancaster in 1967 and was constructed as a freeway from 1949 to 1972.¹

Pennsylvania Route 283 Guides

• East
• West

Showing its age, the freeway was reconstructed in the 1990s, starting with the rebuild of 2.8 miles between the Dauphin County line and Elizabethtown Road in 1993. During that project, portions of the concrete roadway were rubblized to form the new roadbed while the clearance under the Elizabethtown Road overpass was increased to 16 feet 6 inches. This $6.5 million project was underway until November 23, 1993.^2,3

Further reconstruction of PA 283 from Manheim Pike to Spooky Nook Road, a 6.3 mile stretch, took place between March 1994 and October 1995. Work expanded the travel lanes from 11 to 12 feet and the shoulders from eight to ten feet. The $17.5 million project was prompted after large cracks formed across the traffic lanes. During construction, motorists were restricted to one lane in each direction with concrete barriers placed on each side of travel. These were referred to as "Cattle Chutes" by locals, and from AARoads' experience with the project, it was an appropriate nickname. Other aspects of this upgrade included a replacement of a center line metal guard rail with a 51 inch concrete barrier and replacement of original guide signs.⁴

Rebuilding six miles of PA 283 in Dauphin County, an $89.4 million project commenced in Spring 2017 and was completed in 2020. Construction made bridge improvements at the interchanges with I-283/Pennsylvania Turnpike, Union Street and Vine Street. The loop ramp from PA 283 west to I-283 south for the Pennsylvania Turnpike was also removed during road work. It was replaced with a signalized left turn from PA 283 west to the entrance ramp from PA 283 east to I-76.⁵

scenes

A direct ramp joins Eisenhower Boulevard (SR 3001) north with the Harrisburg East Interchange joining I-283 south with the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76). Eisenhower Boulevard meets the west end PA 283 at the ensuing signal. 09/18/04

The entrance ramp for the Pennsylvania Turnpike splits from the ramp joining Eisenhower Boulevard north with PA 283 east. A traffic signal was added in 2020 nearby joining PA 283 west with I-76. 09/18/04

Eisenhower Boulevard (SR 3001) south intersects PA 283 just north of Highspire. The eastbound beginning of PA 283 splits with an entrance ramp for the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) just ahead of the cloverleaf interchange with I-283. 09/18/04

Photo Credits:

09/18/04 by AARoads and Carter Buchanan

Connect with:
Interstate 283
U.S. 30
Route 772

Page Updated 01-22-2021.