News from Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

For more information contact: Mimi Lindelow, 610-239-4117

Additional Noise Monitoring Scheduled in Tredyffrin and Upper Merion Townships

Turnpike Consultant to Complete Additional Noise Studies

KING OF PRUSSIA (10/03/2008)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will be conducting noise studies within 11 study areas where noise mitigation is warranted, feasible, and reasonable in Tredyffrin and Upper Merion Townships. The consulting firm of HMMH, Inc., utilized to complete the initial noise study and the Noise Impact Analysis Report, will also perform this final phase of the work to begin the week of October 6^th. Their efforts will be assisted by Straughan Environmental Services.

The Turnpike Commission hopes residents will cooperate with technicians who will require access to properties to perform noise monitoring for 20-30 minute periods.

"The cooperation of the property owners is necessary and appreciated," said Turnpike Project Manager Kevin Scheurich. "Letters of notification to owners of land close to the measurements sites were mailed to alert them to the monitoring; but the commission wants to alert the community-at-large that the studies will be occurring."

The data collected will be used to optimize the design of each recommended noise barrier. "Optimization" entails fine tuning the height, length, and location of each barrier to meet the criteria in the most cost-effective and equitable way.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is in the process of completing the final design phase of the reconstruction and widening from Milepost 320, approximately 8 miles east of the Downingtown Interchange in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, to approximately Milepost 326 at the Valley Forge Interchange in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County. This full-depth reconstruction and widening includes conversion of the existing four-lane road with a 10-foot median to an all-new, six-lane facility with a 26-foot median. It includes replacement of nine bridges and construction of storm-water management facilities and other drainage improvements.

The final design phase is targeted for completion in 2010, and construction of the turnpike mainline could start sometime in 2011. The Commission anticipates holding a public plans display in early 2009 to receive public comment on the project. For project information, please log on to www.paturnpike.com.