The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), announces a Plans Display for a project on Route 309 in North and South Whitehall townships, Lehigh County.
This online plans display includes digital picture boards and a comment form available to the public until August 18, 2023.
The State Route 309 Section 14M Roadway Betterment Project involves the milling and overlaying of the existing roadway with shoulder upgrades of approximately 2.9 miles of Route 309 in North and South Whitehall townships.
Also included are traffic signal upgrades and roadway widening to provide turning lanes at the signalized intersections of Route 309 at Walbert Avenue, Route 309 at Chapmans Road, Route 309 at Huckleberry Road, Route 309 at Lime Kiln Road, and Route 309 at Orefield/Kernsville Road. Realignment and reconstruction of Orefield Road is included to eliminate the offset intersection with Kernsville Road and improve traffic operations. An existing box culvert will be extended, and a new retaining wall will be constructed to accommodate roadway widening. Other work includes sidewalks, ADA ramps, bus loading pads, guide rail upgrades, drainage improvements, and signing and pavement marking upgrades.
Route 309 within the project area is predominantly a two lane Urban Principal Arterial Roadway that runs in the north-south direction and supports regional traffic. Walbert Avenue and Orefield/Kernsville Road are both classified as Urban Major Collectors, and Chapmans Road is classified as an Urban Local Roadway. An active railroad crossing on Route 309 is located just south of Chapmans Road.
The project will be constructed using staged construction. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on Route 309 throughout construction. Three detours will also be required. An overlay on Jordan Creek Bridge will be completed under a single weekend detour of Route 309. The detour is approximately 6.4 miles and will utilize the following routes: Walbert Avenue, Cedar Crest Boulevard and Orefield Road.
Construction of the realigned Orefield Road will be completed under detour. The detour is approximately 2.7 miles and will utilize Coffeetown Road, Shankweiler Road and Route 309. This detour is anticipated to last 6-8 weeks long.
A detour for Church Road will also be required. The detour is approximately 0.7 mile and will utilize Ridgeview Drive and Walbert Avenue. This detour is anticipated to be 4-6 weeks long.
Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2024 with an expected completion in 2026. All schedules are subject to change.
The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project. It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the project's potential effect upon cultural resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, please contact Megan Fallon, Project Manager, at (610) 783-3757 or email at c-mfallon@pa.gov.
Pursuant to 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 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891 or 800-468-4201.
For more information on projects occurring or being bid this year, those made possible by or accelerated by the state transportation funding plan (Act 89), or those on the department’s Four and Twelve Year Plans, visit www.projects.penndot.gov.