The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) announced plans to develop two new access points connecting Pennsylvania Route 283 (PA 283) directly to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) in Dauphin County. The new ramps, located at approximately Milepost 251 on the PA Turnpike, would provide travelers in either direction on PA 283 with an alternative route to avoid recurring congestion at the interchange of Interstate 283 (I-283) and PA 283. The project is intended to improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance mobility and access throughout the Harrisburg area.
“Adding new access points to the Pennsylvania Turnpike from 283 will help relieve congestion, improve traffic flow and keep Pennsylvanians moving safely and efficiently,” said Michael Carroll, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and PA Secretary of Transportation. “By taking pressure off PA 283 and providing a more direct access to the PA Turnpike, we’re improving how people and goods move through this busy corridor and strengthening the transportation network in Dauphin County.”
The proposed connection addresses recurring congestion along I-283 and PA 283. During peak periods, traffic queues routinely extend for more than a mile approaching the I-283/PA 283 Interchange. These reoccurring queues create conditions associated with rear-end collisions, including sudden slowing and breaking. More than 200 crashes have occurred within this corridor over the last four years.
The proposed improvements include two new direct connections: a ramp from eastbound PA Turnpike to eastbound PA 283 and a ramp from westbound PA 283 to westbound PA Turnpike. Together, these ramps would improve safety by providing an alternative to traveling through the congested I-283/PA 283 interchange. By shifting a portion of traffic to the PA Turnpike, the proposed connection would help reduce congestion, queue lengths, and sudden braking associated with stop-and-go conditions. The new ramps, located between the Harrisburg East (Exit 247) and Lebanon-Lancaster (Exit 266) on the PA Turnpike, would also provide a more direct and reliable connection for PA Turnpike customers.
