1. When will construction for this project begin?
2. Will there be alternative routes or traffic restrictions during construction?

1. The project construction was open for bid on September 21, 2006. Pending award of the construction contract, a November 2006 notice to proceed to the contractor is anticipated.

2. Alternative routes are not proposed for the Project. SR 30 & 981 will be open to unrestricted traffic during specified daylight times and during select Holidays (Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and July 4th). Unrestricted traffic is maintaining two-lanes of traffic in each direction on route 30 and one lane in each direction on Route 981. The contractor will be performing the bulk of work at night.

What are the plans for the intersection of Gravil Hill Road and Route 981?

Gravil Hill/Route 0981 intersection is not part of the current SR 0030-Q01 Project which is scheduled to be let for construction in November 2006 with construction activities to begin Spring of 2007. The intersection in question is part of the SR0981-V10 Project which is under preliminary design. The tentative date for this construction would be Spring 2010.

I represent a business in the Unity Plaza Shopping Center and I would like to know what is proposed to help ensure easy access in and out of the Plaza?

First, access to all Plaza driveways and businesses will be maintained during construction. The developers for both Unity Plaza and Mt Laurel Plaza have been in discussions about an access road between the two Plazas. However, if this does not happen, PennDOT will propose to provide access along SR 981 that will permit all movements in and out of Unity Plaza.

Will the traffic lights be synchronized along RT 30?

At the end of the traffic analysis study, it was concluded the signalized locations on Route 30 and at the intersection of Route 981 would need to be coordinated to meet the travel demands. The proposed signals to be coordinated in the Route 30 project include: Route 30 with St Vincent Drive; Route 30 with Route 981; Route 30 with Mt. Laurel Plaza; and Route 981 with Arnold Palmer Drive.

During the course of construction please address the issue of the traffic light at RT 981 and Arnold Palmer Drive and the traffic congestion that causes backups from RT 30 to the light at Arnold Palmer Drive & Rt 981. What solutions are in place that would help make this area easier and safer to drive?

Also other observations that contribute to traffic congestion include :
1. Light at Arnold Palmer Dr & Rt 981 has right turn signal, but no left turn lane.
2. The timing for the light on Rt 981 southbound lanes should be adjusted during peak periods
3. Drivers run the berm at peak times on Rt 30 east when turning south on Rt 981 creating a third
lane and aa h azardous situation.

Whatever you can do to help correct the present situation in the short term, as well as part of final design will be most appreciated.

Thank you

Traffic Control Measures During Construction.

During the construction phase of the project, traffic delays can be expected while maintaining traffic through the active work zone on S.R. 0030, S.R. 0981, and on Arnold Palmer Drive.

The Contractor will be required to make adjustments to the temporary traffic signal timings as part of the traffic control during construction measures.

As designed, during the first phase of construction, eastbound traffic on S.R. 0030 will be shifted toward the shoulder (berm) and there will be no additional space for this traffic to create another lane as you have listed as a current practice by drivers. Please note that the awarded Contractor can prepare an alternate traffic control phasing and plans for PennDOT approval. The project website will be updated during construction provide information about the construction activities.

Design Features.

Permanent improvements are proposed at the intersection of S.R. 0981 and Arnold Palmer Drive. A new coordinated signal system, widening of Arnold Palmer Drive to accommodate an auxiliary left turn lane, and widening of S.R. 0981, pavement markings and signing are components of the construction project.

The proposed signal system including signal timings at S.R. 0981 and Arnold Palmer Drive has been designed based on traffic volumes and the proposed lane configurations. There is no provision for providing a flashing signal (blinking) cycle during the peak period.

What is the timeline on construction? And, will there be an access road between the Unity Plaza and Mountain Laurel Plaza?

The project letting (or bid opening) was held on September 21, 2006. Pending award of the construction contract, PennDOT anticipates issuing the awarded contractor a notice to proceed in Novemember, 2006. Construciton activities are expected to be completed during the 2008 construction season.

In regard to an access road linking Unity Plaza and Mountain Laurel Plaza, there is no proposed access road included in this PennDOT project linking these two plazas.