Closing the Gap

By 2007, construction crews could begin replacing the overpass that carries I-95 over the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) in Bucks County, PA, with a high-speed, fully directional interchange, transforming travel patterns and the socio-economic landscape in the region. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are completing exhaustive environmental studies of proposed alternatives and moving forward ona final design for linking I-95 and I-276.

The Missing Link—In designing the I-95 system in phases over several decades, a formidable gap emerged in New Jersey between I-295 near Trenton and I-287 to the north, near New Brunswick. Commonwealth and Federal legislation passed in the 1980s proposed completing the missing link by rerouting I-95 onto I-276 across the Delaware River Turnpike Bridge, where itwould join the New Jersey Turnpike Extension and, ultimately, I-95.

In 1992, KCI Technologies began work on environmental studies for PTC, and since has led the consulting team studying design alternatives and preparing environmental documentation. “The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires State transportation agencies to prepare detailed environmental reports for federally funded projects that pose potential impacts,” explained KCI Project Manager Joseph F. (Jay) Roth III, PE. “On this project, public and private stakeholders—including regulatory agencies, community advisory committees,
and local residents—helped PTC and PennDOT identify a preferred design alternative that minimizes impacts to residents, businesses, and historic properties as well as wetlands, habitats,
and other natural resources.”

The interchange study corridor extends 9.2 miles along I-276—from just west of Interchange 351(US 1) across the Delaware River into Burlington County, New Jersey, and 3.2 miles along I-95, from just south of Trenton Road to the east bank of Neshaminy Creek.

Conceptual Engineering—In terms of design, the project involves three major elements: a toll plaza, the interchange, and a parallel bridge over the Delaware River. “We worked with KCI team member URS studying 14 interchange alternatives and developing a very detailed, single-loop, preliminary design where the interstates’ cross that provides the design speeds needed, while avoiding some major employers and homes in the area,” said Roth. After critical analysis and cost comparisons, FHWA, PTC, and PennDOT advanced the Single Loop A interchange as part of the Preferred Alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), submitted in June 2003.

PTC Project Manager Jeffrey C. Davis, PE, notes that widening the Turnpike to six lanes through the intersection and east to the river—a section that will be redesignated I-95—and adding a second bridge will allow the interstate to keep pace with climbing traffic projections. “Direct access to I-95 will enhance regional traffic, which has had to navigate on local roads,” said Davis.

In the coming months, KCI will continue to work with PTC, providing environmental and public involvement services to support commitments specified in the FEIS. features a relocated barrier west, serving as the Pennsylvania Turnpike high-speed, single I-276 and I-95; several widening; and a parallel the existing structure River.

Editor’s Note: For more information on the project, please log
onto www.paturnpike.com/i95

© KCI Holdings 1994-2006