Study Results and Recommendations
Based on feedback from the municipalities, three alternatives were selected to be studied in detail to choose options to carry into preliminary engineering. The three selected alternatives were examined to verify their feasibility, ensure they met the project goals, and assess their cost/benefit. An evaluation of environmental and cultural resources included a review of historic resources, streams, wetlands, floodplains, hazardous waste, threatened and endangered species, parks and open space, community resources, and potential Section 4(f) resources. A detailed traffic study was completed which analyzed delay, level of service, queue lengths, travel times, and volume shifts. In addition, right-of-way impacts, utility impacts, and overall costs were established for each alternative.
Advancing Projects to Design and Construction
The results of the Detailed Alternatives Analysis Study have shown a need for safety improvements and congestion relief to various connections between I-95 and the I-95 Industrial Park and Bridgewater Business Park. In consideration of the other planned and programmed U.S. 322 and I-95 improvements, PennDOT requested the evaluation of a series of improvements from preferred Alternative 2B with independent utility that could alleviate identified safety and congestion issues in both near and long-term delivery horizons.
The following criteria were used to rank the priority of the localized improvements:
- Effectiveness for stand-alone congestion relief
- Safety improvements
- Schedule constraints
- Construction cost/benefit
Two intersections not considered as part of Alternative 2B that currently have movements operating over capacity are the intersections of SR 452 (Market Street) / I-95 NB and SB Ramps in Upper Chichester Township. If improvements are made at other access points to I-95,
but not made at these intersections, traffic from the SR 452 intersections with I-95 is expected to shift to the Concord Road and Bethel Road access points to I-95. Therefore, improvements to those intersections in Upper Chichester Township are included in the project list to alleviate area congestion.
One component of Alternative 2B without independent utility is the proposed Commerce Drive to Green Street connection with the new CSX crossing. However, this is still a significant part of the overall project and is needed to fully meet the purpose and needs. When constructed, it will improve access between the industrial parks and I-95 while removing traffic from Concord Road and Bethel Road, thereby increasing their performance and safety.
Summary and Independent Project Ranking
PennDOT requested the evaluation of improvements from preferred Alternative 2B with independent utility that could alleviate identified safety and congestion issues in both near and long-term delivery horizons. The following five components have independent utility and could be advanced while other components go through the project delivery process. These components have been ranked for their strength to stand alone with independent utility.