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Township reviews early PennDOT US-1 design; public feedback and mitigation requested
Summary
Middletown officials received a preliminary PennDOT presentation on the US-1 modernization plan, which proposes two travel lanes each way, conversion of some frontage roads into pedestrian/bicycle paths, roundabouts and partial cloverleaf interchanges; construction is not expected before 2026 and PennDOT invited municipal feedback and mitigation requests.
Township officials reviewed PennDOTs early-stage plans for the fourth section of the U.S. 1 modernization project at the March 5 Board of Supervisors meeting and discussed potential local impacts and mitigation.
Julie Cooley and traffic engineer Phil Wursta walked the board through preliminary design concepts including two travel lanes per direction, six-foot shoulders, a concrete center barrier in parts of the corridor, potential conversion of frontage (access) roads into pedestrian and bicycle paths, possible sound barriers and interchange designs such as roundabouts and a partial cloverleaf. Presenters emphasized the design remains in flux, PennDOT is soliciting public feedback and construction would be no sooner than 2026.
Board members and residents raised questions about pedestrian connectivity where access roads would be removed, the cost and effect of sound barriers, environmental and noise impacts, traffic redistribution and right-of-way takings. Presenters said PennDOT typically completes traffic modeling and environmental impact studies and that municipal feedback could request mitigation measures, specify trail widths compatible with township maintenance capabilities, and express support or concerns in a letter or formal resolution.
No township resolution was adopted at the March 5 meeting, but the board discussed drafting a future resolution and offering the townships facilities for public plan displays.
