The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation today highlighted transportation investments for 2019 in the district’s six-county, east central region. More than 130 highway and bridge contracts are expected to be underway in the region this year.
“These roadway and bridge improvements are essential to keep the region attractive for businesses and providing efficient mobility for our customers” said Governor Tom Wolf. “These projects also aim to improve safety.”
The department plans on investing more than $281 million this year in the PennDOT Engineering District 5 region spanning Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties. Work in the region this year will pave approximately 366 miles of roads and replace or rehabilitate 64 bridges.
In addition to construction projects, PennDOT’s regional county maintenance employees will resurface 32 miles of lower-traffic roads with Recycled Asphalt Pavement this year.
“We look forward to the new construction season,” District Executive Michael W. Rebert said. “We take pride in constructing and reconstructing a safe, efficient transportation network.”
Notable projects in Berks County
- Reconstruction of Interstate 78 between Exit 35 (PA 143/Lenhartsville) and Lehigh County line in Greenwich Township, Berks County ($168.3 million)
- Rehabilitation of the Penn Street Bridge over U.S. 422/West Shore Bypass in City of Reading and West Reading Borough, Berks County ($42.5 million)
- Reconstruction of Business Route 422 in City of Reading, Mt. Penn and St. Lawrence boroughs and Exeter Township, Berks County ($11.8 million)
- Repairs to 19 bridges in various municipalities in Berks County ($7.6 million)
- Mill and microsurface of I-78 between exits 16 (Midway) and 29 (Reading/Pottsville) in Bethel, Upper Tulpehocken, Upper Bern and Tilden townships, Berks County ($5.9 million)
- East Wall Street Bridge over Schuylkill River replacement in Leesport Borough, Berks County ($4.8 million)
- Resurfacing of Kutztown Road between Routes 12 and 222 in Laureldale Borough and Muhlenberg Township, Berks County ($4 million)
- Shoey Road Bridge replacement over Schuylkill River in Centre Township and Shoemakersville Borough, Berks County ($3.7 million)
- Intersection improvements at Route 183 and New Schaefferstown Road in Jefferson Township, Berks County ($3.1 million)
- Replacement of Route 562 Bridge over Manatawny Creek in Amity Township, Berks County ($2.5 million)
- Resurfacing of Route 183 between 3rd and Mercer streets in the City of Reading, Berks County ($2 million)
Upcoming projects
- Roundabout installation at two unsignalized PA 73 and PA 662 intersections in Oley Township, Berks County ($5.7 million)
- Concrete slab stabilization and bridge repairs on U.S. 222 in Wyomissing Borough, Bern, Spring and Muhlenberg townships, Berks County (est. $5 million-$6 million)
As construction projects are underway in the region, the traveling public can anticipate seeing many work zones and are urged to keep in mind their safety and the safety of highway workers. When encountering a work zone, please drive the posted speed limit, turn on your headlights, pay close attention to signs and flaggers and avoid all distractions. In high traffic locations, motorists are encouraged to use both lanes of travel to the merge point and are to take turns merging into the open lane.
