PennDOT continues design work on three sections of I-80
Allentown, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Engineering District 5 today announced design engineering work continues for the reconstruction of three sections of Interstate 80 between exits 303 and 307 in Monroe County. The improvements are being designed to address congestion and safety issues.
The I-80 reconstruction includes 3.5 miles of full roadway reconstruction, widening, and interchange reconfigurations. The limits pass through three municipalities (Stroud Township, the Borough of Stroudsburg, and the Borough of East Stroudsburg) and includes exits 303, 304, 305, 306, and 307.
“We are close to moving the first section to construction,” District Executive Chris Kufro said. “This roadway serves as a major carrier of local and through traffic, regional and national freight, and is a conduit for local and regional tourism. These improvements are intended to foster all of these.”
Due to deteriorated roadway and bridge components the highway needs full “from the ground up” reconstruction. The highway, constructed in the 1950s and 1960s, has reached the end of its useful life and is in poor condition.
The highway has ramp acceleration and deceleration lane lengths below current standards and has insufficient weave lengths between entrance and exit ramps causing traffic conflict points. And the road shoulders do not meet current interstate standards of 10 feet to 12 feet wide, resulting in reduced access for emergency vehicles during incidents and reduced areas for disabled vehicles.
This section of I-80 has crash rates above the statewide average with a high percentage of rear-end, side swipe, and hit fixed object crashes which can be attributed to the congestion and geometric deficiencies within this corridor.
This area of I-80 is being designed for three lanes in each direction with inside and outside shoulders. Other improvements include structure replacements/rehabilitations, noise walls, and retaining walls. All structures carrying mainline I-80 will be evaluated for rehabilitation vs replacement options to include widening and provide 16 feet, 6 inches of vertical clearance.
This area of I-80 will be constructed in three sections, starting in the west and moving east. The three sections are:
· Section 1 - Exit 303 from approximately the Hamilton Township line with Stroud Township to just east of Exit 303 (Ninth Street).
· Section 2 - Exits 304 and 305 from just east of Exit 303 (Ninth Street) to just west of Dreher Avenue.
· Section 3 – Exits 306 and 307 from just west of Dreher Avenue to just east of Exit 307 (PA 611 To PA 191).
Section 1 is anticipated to be advertised for construction bids in late 2025 or early 2026. Sections 2 and 3 are continuing through the design process.
For additional information about the I-80 reconstruction, including the environmental assessment document developed in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and in accordance with all applicable regulations including the National Environmental Policy Act, visit www.I80project.com. The latest project briefing can also be accessed on the website.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District5. Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ronald J. Young, Jr., M.P.A., 610-871-4555, ronyoung@pa.gov; Sean A. Brown, 610-871-4556, sebrown@pa.gov
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