PA 82 Project

SELECTED ALTERNATIVE

The results of the conceptual engineering evaluation and the feedback from the stakeholder and public meetings have been reviewed, and an alternative has been selected for the PA Route 82 Interchange. Alternative D – Single Point Urban Interchange (as presented at the January 2020 public meeting) has been selected to proceed to Preliminary Engineering. Additional public meetings will be held in the future, as the interchange design is completed and additional details are available.

SELECTED ALTERNATIVE: PA ROUTE 82 ALTERNATIVE D – SINGLE POINT URBAN INTERCHANGE, JANUARY 2020

DECISION MATRICES

PA 82 PROJECT BACKGROUND

The existing interchange of US 30 and PA 82 provides both eastbound and westbound on-ramps and off-ramps.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Existing Interchange provides both Eastbound and Westbound on-ramps and off-ramps

PURPOSE AND NEEDS

Purpose

The purpose of the project is to provide a safe and efficient transportation system by improving safety, reducing future congestion, accommodating planned growth, and improving facility deficiencies.

Needs

The project needs have been identified: Safety, Facility Deficiencies, and Congestion/Anticipated Growth

Safety – Multiple locations within the project corridor have crash rates that exceed the statewide average for the same type of facility. Peak travel time congestion, narrow or absence of shoulders, deficiencies within the interchange configuration, and inadequate signalization and traffic signal phasing contribute to crashes along PA 82 within the project area. Along US 30 within the project area, factors contributing to crashes include the insufficient acceleration and deceleration lanes, and narrow or absent shoulders.
Facility Deficiencies – Substandard roadway conditions exist throughout the project corridor. The existing pavement within the project area is approaching the end of its useful service life. The outer (right) shoulders are narrow and deteriorated. The interchange ramps have short acceleration and deceleration lengths. The westbound off-ramp has an insufficient, tight turning radii. One structure is currently insufficient in width, and one structure currently has insufficient vertical clearance.
Congestion/Anticipated Growth – The US 30 eastbound and westbound off-ramps currently operate over capacity during certain periods of the day, resulting in congestion and driver delay. In the future, growth is anticipated to continue along PA 82 in the area, resulting in higher vehicular traffic volumes and further congestion and delay.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

Some of the significant environmental features of the project area include a historic property and potentially historic properties, a Natural Heritage Area, a park, open space, nine streams, and nine wetlands. The Robert L. Crisswell property has been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and lies at the western edge of the project limits. Development has occurred within much of the resource’s recorded boundaries in the project area. There are also numerous older buildings found throughout the corridor that may have historic significance and will require evaluation. The Rock Run Railroad Woods is a Chester County Natural Heritage Area located south of US 30 just to the west of the PA 82 Interchange. It lies within open space that extends further to the west and to the north of US 30 which is owned by the City of Coatesville. A large tract of Home Owners Association owned, predominately wooded open space abuts the southeast side of the PA 82 Interchange. Caln Park West township park is located south of US 30 at the eastern limits of the project and contains athletic fields. The West Branch of Brandywine Creek flows through the project area immediately west of the PA 82 interchange. The creek is designated as supporting natural trout reproduction and is stocked north of the PA 340 bridge just upstream of the interchange. Two unnamed tributaries flow from the north and east into the creek in the vicinity of the interchange. The tributary flowing from the north has a high quality designation. In total, there are eight identified tributaries to the West Branch Brandywine Creek located in the project area. The project area wetlands are all situated adjacent to one of the nine streams and have vegetation ranging from predominantly herbaceous cover to predominate tree cover.