TPD completed a traffic and alternatives analysis study reconfiguring interchange ramps and/or adding an auxiliary lane along the Route 222 southbound ramp and the mainline. The limits are between the Route 12/222/422 and Paper Mill Road (SR 3021) interchanges. The project was expanded into two parts by adding areas for pavement overlay and rigid pavement and bridge repairs. The repairs portion is currently defined from the southern limits of the auxiliary lane part, to the south, including the State Hill Road (SR 3023) and Penn Avenue (SR 3422) interchanges and associated ramps.

As the prime consultant, TPD is responsible for the majority of the design effort with environmental, geotechnical and survey support provided by our subconsultants. The temporary work zone traffic control plan is being developed to limit all impacts to the traveling public, including provisions for the three bridge superstructure rehabilitations within the project limits. The repairs portion of the project consists of roadway rehabilitation and associated roadside safety improvements (guide rail repairs/updates and other required safety enhancements). Considering the limited scope of the repair portion, TPD collected additional survey using GPS to determine bid items for tabulations. Based on this workflow, the efforts to locate engineering design items and review field conditions were streamlined and simultaneous.

The auxiliary lane alternatives analysis was used to develop and compare various alternative ramp and auxiliary lane configurations to improve traffic congestion and safety. The capacities of the existing roadways are substandard and poor merging conditions exist at the Route 222/422 ramp intersection with Route 12/222, creating a significant traffic bottleneck during peak hours. The recommended improvements, which are being advanced in preliminary engineering, increase both the ramp and mainline capacities by adding a continuous auxiliary lane. The auxiliary lane is proposed beginning at the southbound Route 222/422 ramp, along the mainline, then exits at Paper Mill Road. The auxiliary lane provides for better lane utilization and improved flexibility to maneuver between entrances and exits, alleviating the traffic bottleneck. This project also includes likely substantial noise abatement work requiring noise barriers.