District 8 Projects - Dauphin County

Middletown Road Safety and Congestion Improvement Project

Project Status

Step 2 of 4

Design

Next Step:  Construction

Public Outreach

Public Meeting Open House

A public meeting featuring a public plans display and project presentation will take place at:

Date: August 25, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Derry Township Municipal Authority, 600 Clearwater Road, Hershey, PA 17033

Virtual Plans Display

​The virtual plans display will be available online from August 25, 2025 through September 25, 2025

Public Comment Period

The public comment period, where the community is encouraged to respond with questions and concerns will be from August 25, 2025 through September 25, 2025

Project Overview

County: Dauphin
Municipality: Derry Township, Londonderry Township and Hummelstown Borough
State Route: Route 2003
Local Name: Middletown Road
Project Type: Safety and Congestion Improvements
MPMS Number: 116786
Proposed Construction Start: March 2028
Proposed Construction End: November 2029
Last Updated: August 2025

Preliminary engineering and environmental studies for a planned project along Middletown Road (Route 2003) to provide safety and congestion improvements is currently underway. The project area includes a 3-mile corridor along Middletown Road from PA 283 to US 322 in Derry and Londonderry Townships and Hummelstown Borough, Dauphin County.

The primary purpose of the project is to enhance the safety and efficiency of the corridor through a combination of roadway widening, access control measures, and targeted intersection improvements. These efforts are proposed to address current traffic issues and prepare the corridor for future demands.

The primary proposed improvements include:

  • Roadway widening to add a continuous center turn lane and make shoulders a uniform width
  • Access management – adding islands, medians, or signage to limit left turns; closing and redirecting select access points to provide more consistent spacing between primary access points, help traffic flow, and reduce conflicts
  • Intersection improvements – modification to signal timings, additional turning lanes and intersection geometric improvements, such as potentially adding signals or sideroad approach realignment

 

Other potential corridor improvements include:

  • Roadway milling and resurfacing
  • Slight alignment shifts and vegetation clearing to enhance intersection sight distance
  • Select improvements to current bicycle and pedestrian facilities and incorporating design considerations for future municipal-led connections
  • Culvert enlargement, drainage updates
  • Signing, pavement marking upgrades

This section of Middletown Road has an average daily traffic volume of 16,000 vehicles per day; 5% being trucks.

Construction activities are expected to be staged to minimize disruptions to traffic and maintain access for residents, businesses, and emergency services. Detours may be needed for side road realignment.

Aerial and underground utilities are present within the project limits. Utility relocations are anticipated.

The project is currently in the preliminary design phase, and construction is anticipated to take place during the 2028-2029 construction seasons, subject to all approvals, environmental clearances, and funding availability.

A Public “Open House” Meeting (no formal presentation) is scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2025, from 5:00-8:00 PM, at the Derry Township Municipal Authority, 600 Clearwater Road, Hershey PA. The meeting displays will present the project purpose, needs and goals, the existing conditions, environmental impacts, alternatives considered and the proposed corridor improvements. The public will have a chance to engage engineers and environmental specialists from the project team with any questions or comments.

A digital version of the information is available to view online, with public comments received through September 25, 2025.

Contact Information

David Hamlet, GFT
Consultant Project Manager
717-886-5321
email@pa.gov

Mark A. Malhenzie
PennDOT Senior Project Manager
717-783-5080
mmalhenzie@pa.gov

David M. Thompson
Media Contact
(717) 787-1446
dmthompson@pa.gov

Accessibility

The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation or interpretation services, have special needs, or have concerns that require individual attention, please contact the Project Manager listed above.

Title VI

Pursuant to the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the PennDOT, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891.