PennDOT Announces Traffic Changes in Delaware Water Gap, Monroe County
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today traffic pattern changes are scheduled to be implemented Friday afternoon at the intersection where Broad Street, River Road, Foxtown Hill Road and the Interstate 80 Exit 310 ramps meet in Smithfield Township. The changes are for work associated with a project that began in April to improve the Interstate 80 Exit 310 (PA 611/Delaware Water Gap) interchange in Monroe County.
The project entails replacing the Exit 310 on-ramp bridge to I-80 east in Smithfield Township, and the Exit 310 off-ramp from I-80 west in Delaware Water Gap Borough. Both ramps traverse I-80.
The project also includes replacing the existing signalized intersection where Broad Street, River Road, Foxtown Hill Road and the Exit 310 ramps meet in Smithfield Township with a modern roundabout.
Starting Friday three closures with detours will be implemented to allow workers to construct the roundabout. The closures and detours are as follows:
• Access to Broad Street and River Road from I-80 east will be closed. The posted 3.3-mile Broad Street/River Road detour will route traffic on the ramp for PA 611 north, Foxtown Hill Road, PA 611 (Main Street) south and Broad Street;
• Access from Broad Street to I-80 west at Exit 310 will be closed. The posted 3.5-mile detour for I-80 west access will route traffic on Broad Street, PA 611 (Main Street/Foxtown Hill Road) north, and PA 191 (Broad Street) to I-80 west at Exit 307.
• Access from Broad Street to Walnut Drive will be closed. The posted 5.4-mile Walnut Drive detour will route traffic on River Road, Buttermilk Falls Road, US 209 (Seven Bridges Road), I-80 east (at Exit 309), to Exit 310 (PA 611).
Access to the Pennsylvania Welcome Center and Delaware Water Gap Park-and-Ride Lot will be maintained. Motorists wishing to access either facility should follow the appropriately marked detour routes.
Motorists should also be alert for weeknight lane restrictions (10:00 PM to 5:00 AM) on I-80 between the Delaware River and Exit 309 (US 209/PA 447).
Weekday lane restrictions (7:00 AM to 5:00 PM) may also occur on Broad Street between I-80 and Shelding Road, and River Road between I-80 and Foxtown Hill Road. These weekday restrictions may occur throughout the duration of the project.
All schedules are weather permitting, and updates will be provided to the public in advance of any traffic pattern changes.
HRI, Inc. of State College, PA is the general contractor on the $14.13 million project, which is expected to be complete in November.
The main characteristics of a modern roundabout include generally circular shape; yield signs at the entrances; geometry that forces slower speeds; and counterclockwise circulation of traffic. Also, unlike traffic signals, roundabouts do not depend on electricity to function, so they are not susceptible to power outages. More information on roundabouts can be found at http://www.penndot.gov/
