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: 2027
Proposed Construction End: 2029 depending on the selected alternative
Last Updated: May 2025

The East Berlin Road (Route 234) safety improvements project is located in Reading Township, Adams County, east of the Village of Hampton, PA.

The project is currently in the alternatives analysis phase.  The project is anticipated to include roadway reconstruction, widening and adding a right turn lane along SR 234, drainage improvements, as well as realigning Peepytown Road to improve safety and traffic flow with the following potential alternatives:

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

The purpose of this project is to improve safety and address future traffic demands for the Route 234 intersection with Stoney Point Road.

Environmental

Environmental constraints were identified to use in the evaluation of preliminary alternatives. 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 Route 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 Route 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 differ between the three alternatives and 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 (Route 1018), an east (6 mi) or west (7 mi) detour route can be utilized. The east detour would use Route 1019 (Pine Run Road), Route 194 (Abbottstown Street), and then Route 234 (West King Street/East Berlin Road). The west detour would use Route 1019 (Pine Run Road), Route 94 (Carlisle Pike), Route 1007 (Stoney Point Road), and then Route 234 (East Berlin Road). The use of detours along Route 234 and the entire traffic control scheme will be determined once an intersection alternative is selected.

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 alternatives analysis phase, and work is anticipated to take place during the 2027 construction season, subject to all approvals, environmental clearances and funding availability. The preliminary project cost estimates for the four (4) alternatives range from $1.4 million to $4.7 million.