Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s State Route 222 North Corridor Phase 1

The 7-mile stretch of PA State Route 22 between the Kutztown and Reading Bypasses in Berks County is a scenic corridor that experiences high volumes of truck traffic traveling to and from New York. This heavy traffic historically caused significant congestion at the highway’s three major intersections. The $27 million project was necessary to improve intersection operations and minimize overall delay, as congestion affected both car travelers and the local Mennonite community who cross the road with horse-drawn buggies. The project introduced brand new roundabouts to the highway, which quickly reduced travel time by 25 percent. Today, trucks, passenger vehicles, and horse-drawn buggies coexist harmoniously on the roundabouts. The project team’s innovative design serves as a model for highway owners and engineers, highlighting how the roundabout method improves traffic flow and alters public perception of modern roundabouts.