East Berlin Road & Peepytown Road Safety Improvements Project

County: Adams County
Municipality: Reading Township
State Route: Route 234 & Route 1018
Local Name: East Berlin Road & Peepytown Road
Project Type: Safety Improvements Project
MPMS Number: 116594
Proposed Construction Start: 2029
Proposed Construction End: 2031
Last Updated: January 2026

The SR 234 (East Berlin Road) safety improvements project is located in Reading Township, Adams County, east of the Village of Hampton, PA. The purpose of this project is to improve safety and address future traffic demands for the Route 234 intersection with Peepytown Road.

The alternatives analysis phase is complete and the following alternatives were considered:

1. Alternative 1: Construct a roundabout at the existing intersection
2. Alternative 2: Construct a roundabout west of the existing intersection and realign Peepytown Road
3. Alternative 3: Realign the existing intersection to the west, add Route 234 right turn lane and realign Peepytown Road
4. Alternative 4: Add Route 234 right turn lane at the existing intersection and achieve sight distance

After receiving input from the public, Alternative 3 was selected as the preferred alternative.  The proposed project will construct a new T-intersection with a right turn lane approximately 200 feet west of the existing intersection. SR 1018 (Peepytown Road) will be realigned to improve the skew of the roadway approaching the intersection. The existing Route 234 horizontal alignment will be further developed to optimize impacts to the adjacent parcels. The vertical profile of Route 234 will be lowered to improve sight distance along the roadway.

Signing, pavement markings, and drainage will be updated. It is anticipated that a stormwater management basin will be constructed east of the new intersection.

Environmental

Environmental constraints were identified to use in the design of the project. The project is located east of the Village of Hampton in a rural community surrounded by residential and agricultural properties. Pedestrians do not frequent the intersection, and SR 234 is a PA designated Bike Route. There are no waste-related concerns in the area. One property northeast of the intersection has an undetermined historic eligibility as of 2019. Right-of-way and temporary construction easements may require historic documentation of this property if impacted.  Wetlands were not identified through a review of the National Wetland inventory, but a field watercourse and wetland delineation will be needed to verify existing flagging and the presence/absence of any wetlands at the intersection. No 4(f) resources were identified at the intersection.

Utilities

There are existing underground and overhead utility lines running parallel to SR 234 and Peepytown Road. Impacts to these facilities are anticipated and relocations will be coordinated with the responsible utility company.

Right of Way

The Right-of-Way impacts will include partial acquisitions for the permanent intersection improvements.  Temporary construction easements are anticipated for traffic control, construction staging/storage, and driveway reconstruction.

Maintenance and Protection of Traffic

The project will be constructed in stages and detours along Peepytown Road are anticipated. During the reconstruction of Peepytown Road (SR 1018), an east (6 mi) or west (7 mi) detour route can be utilized. The east detour would use SR 1019 (Pine Run Road), SR 194 (Abbottstown Street), and then SR 234 (West King Street/East Berlin Road). The west detour would use SR 1019 (Pine Run Road), SR 94 (Carlisle Pike), SR 1007 (Stoney Point Road), and then SR 234 (East Berlin Road). The use of detours and traffic control measures along Route 234 will be further evaluated as preliminary design advances. 

Coordination will occur with PennDOT, Reading Township, emergency responders, and school districts. Truck movements and restrictions will be considered when selecting an alternative detour route. The maintenance of bike access through the project area will occur.

Schedule and Cost

The project is currently in the preliminary design phase, and work is anticipated to take place during the 2029 and 2030 construction seasons, subject to all approvals, environmental clearances and funding availability. The preliminary project cost estimate is $4 million.