I-83 Master Plan

The I-83 mainline and ramps will require reconstruction for a number of reasons: first, to correct the problem of deteriorating pavement; second, to add capacity; and third, to apply current design criteria to the roadway geometry. The minimum operational requirements are: design to Interstate standards; 60 mph design speed on the mainline; and three through lanes in each direction between Interchanges.

Logical termini for individual highway projects were established based on the ability of each project section to be programmed, studied, and constructed. The 11-mile corridor was divided into four sections, three In Dauphin County and one in Cumberland County. Key environmental features were identified.

Finally, design concepts were developed for each of the four project sections and one concept in each section was identified by PennDOT as a baseline for the environmental impacts and cost (Summary of Concept Characteristics table in Part V-B of this I-83 Master Plan). In general, the concepts involve the addition of lanes to provide increased capacity, the addition or reconfiguration of interchanges to meet current design criteria and to provide the required access, and the upgrade of local roads to improve access and egress to the Interstate highway.

In summary the I-83 Master Plan is a comprehensive tool to assist the local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS), and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in the planning and programming of future transportation projects on the I-83 corridor.