The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation invites the public to an in-person and virtual plans display regarding proposed Interstate 80 improvements in Hamilton, Pocono, and Stroud townships, Monroe County.

The in-person public plans display will be held at Northampton Community College, Pocono Campus (2411 Route 715, Tannersville) Pocono Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The purpose of the I-80 Section 26M Reconstruction Project is to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for both local and regional traffic moving through the area on I-80, Route 33, and Route 611 by addressing roadway deficiencies and structural inadequacies, reducing future congestion, improving traffic operations, and enhancing mobility and connectivity.

The project involves reconstruction and widening of approximately 5 miles of I-80 in Hamilton, Pocono, and Stroud Townships, Monroe County, including improvements to Interchange 302 (Bartonsville) with Route 33. Both I-80 and Route 33 are limited access routes and part of the National Highway System.

Each route provides an important link in the local and regional transportation network, with Interchange 302 as a critical junction that connects I-80 and the Pocono Mountains to the Lehigh Valley and I-78.

The interchange links the major thoroughfares of I-80, Route 33 and Route 611 to numerous commercial businesses, restaurants, and the newly constructed St. Luke’s Monroe Campus.

Section 26M is one in a series of I-80 corridor upgrade projects between I-380 to the west (Interchange 293) and the New Jersey border (Interchange 310, Delaware Water Gap) to the east.

Other reconstruction projects between Interchanges 303 through 308 located immediately to the east of this project (Sections B01 and 05S) have been advanced to construction, and others are in design (B02 and 17M).

Additionally, a future project is planned at the Route 715 (Tannersville) Interchange 298.

In 2020, PennDOT completed the I-80 Section LBS Study which identified transportation projects that will improve the safety, operations, regional mobility, and local access of the existing corridor.

The 26M project builds on the study’s recommendations for the corridor and advances them to further study, design, environmental clearance, and construction.

The project is currently in the preliminary engineering stage, which develops the key design components such as alignments, profiles, lane/shoulder/median widths, interchange and traffic signal operations, and preliminary bridge sizing.

Critical project items such as roadway drainage, stormwater management, bridge hydraulics, traffic control, and constructability are all developed to a preliminary stage to assist in identifying potential impacts to adjacent properties, utilities, railroads, cultural resources, and environmental features.

Feedback from the public, public officials, and other stakeholders is also solicited during this phase to ensure the project meets the purpose and needs as well as the needs of the affected communities.

Adjustments to the design can be made during this phase in response to comments and suggestions received or to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts and progress the project towards environmental clearance.

Construction is currently planned to begin in 2030.

The virtual plans display will be available online, and public comments will be accepted through Nov. 13.

Online information, including detailed project information and comment form, can be found by visiting the following link at the PennDOT District 5 website: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/projects-near-you/district-5-projects/80-bartonsville.