Frequently Asked Questions -
PA Route 309 Widening Project
| PennDOT Updates: - From April 2009 through ~Oct 2010, PA 309 will be restricted to one lane in both directions from the Bucks County Line to Fairmount Street, 24-hours a day. Expect delays in both directions. (posted 3/27/09, updated 4/23/09) - Traffic Impacts: ▪ long term lane restrictions on PA 309 north and south; ▪ rush hour backups are typically less than one half mile; ▪ many people are using Main Street as an alternate route. (posted 8/20/09) |
Q. What is the PA Route 309 Coopersburg Widening project?
A. PennDOT will be reworking the Coopersburg section of
PA 309
as a safety-improvement project. A new, fifth lane will be added in the middle to take left turn
movements out of the four travel lanes. Additional improvements include limiting the available left turns
and coordinating the traffic signals to improve traffic flow along PA
309.
Q. When did construction begin?
A. Construction began on 2/24/09.
Q. How long will be project last?
A. The most recent estimate from PennDOT is that the project will
last two construction seasons, ending ~Oct 2010. This estimate is subject to change.
Q. Will PA 309 be closed during construction?
A. The highway will not be closed, though lanes will be
restricted.
Q. Will traffic be detoured off of PA 309 during construction?
A. No
Q. Will there be new traffic restrictions along Main Street during construction?
A. PennDOT does not anticipate adding additional restrictions along Main Street,
which is a state road.
Q. How will traffic be affected during
construction?
A. Traffic on PA 309 will be restricted to one lane in each direction.
During the first phase of construction, the two existing
southbound lanes will be closed. The two existing northbound lanes will be split -- one lane will
carry northbound traffic and the other lane will carry southbound
traffic.
During the second phase of construction, the two existing northbound lanes will be closed. The new southbound lanes will be split -- one lane will carry southbound traffic and the other lane will carry northbound traffic.
Q. Will traffic on PA 309 be restricted to one lane in each
direction during the winter months between phase one and phase two?
A. Yes (updated 10/23/2009)
Q. Will any construction be done at night? I'm worried about those bright construction lights.
A. Due to the proximity of residential housing, there will be no
night construction.
Q. May I see the details of the plan?
A. PennDOT has provided a very large plan
(~10 feet wide) showing
the existing highway and the planned modifications. This is available
for public viewing in Borough Council Chambers in
Borough Hall during regular office hours and during Borough Council
meetings. There is also a small scale preliminary plan that is available for public viewing.
Q. How will traffic be affected after the project
is completed?
A. Traffic making left-hand turns off of
PA 309 will have a new, dedicated
left-hand turn lane, allowing two unblocked lanes of traffic in each direction. The traffic signals will be timed and coordinated with other
regional traffic signals along PA 309. These changes should improve safety and traffic flow along
PA
309 through Coopersburg.
Q. What if I have a question not being addressed
here?
A. Please contact Borough Hall for additional information.