I83 South Bridge Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 12, 2023

Contact: Dave Thompson, 717-418-5018 or dmthompson@pa.gov

PennDOT Resumes Environmental Studies for Interstate 83 South Bridge Project

Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) resumed work preparing the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the I-83 South Bridge Project to replace the I-83 John Harris Memorial (South) Bridge over the Susquehanna River in Dauphin and Cumberland counties.

The bridge will not be tolled and is no longer included in the Major Bridge Public-Private Partnership (MBP3). The project will be moving forward with non-tolling funding sources and to expedite this critical project, the department continues to seek federal discretionary funding so the project can be delivered earlier. Further opportunities for public involvement are planned, including a Public Hearing later this year.

The I-83 South Bridge is aging. It no longer meets current design standards, and it is reaching the end of its serviceable lifespan. Due to bridge conditions and anticipated increases in traffic volumes, the bridge and its connections on the West Shore and East Shore need to be upgraded. By investing in improvements today, we can ensure that the I-83 South Bridge can support the future needs of the Harrisburg region.

PennDOT is preparing an EA for this project to address the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). An EA is a detailed study of how a project would affect the surrounding community's quality of life, including health, safety, cultural resources, natural resources, and more.

In February 2021, the project was selected as a candidate for bridge tolling under the MBP3 and an EA was prepared to study the potential impacts related to tolling and toll diversion in accordance with NEPA. The EA was made available for public comment on May 10, 2022. On May 18, 2022, as a result of a lawsuit, the court issued an injunction and all work related to the Major Bridge Public Private Partnership (MBP3) initiative ceased. In July 2022, the General Assembly amended the state's P3 law to remove tolling as a means of funding the MBP3. Since the funds for the project will no longer come from tolling the bridge, PennDOT will program state funds and additional federal funds now available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as part of current and future Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) and the Department’s 12-year Program (TYP).

When tolling was being considered as the funding source for the project, impacts to the surrounding communities resulting from a portion of drivers leaving the interstate to avoid paying a toll was a substantial concern for PennDOT. Since the bridge will not be tolled, toll-driven diversion of traffic onto local roads will not occur; therefore, proposed improvements identified along the diversion routes will no longer be included in the project.

Learn more about the project or contact the project team on the project website at www.penndot.pa.gov/i83SouthBridge.

Review the I-83 South Bridge Project online materials and comment -

MESSAGE FROM PennDOT: The Commonwealth Court issued an order on May 18, 2022, stopping work related to the Major Bridge P3 initiative. Accordingly, we have canceled the public hearings associated with the project. We are reviewing the opinion.

Click here for more details from PennDOT

Cumberland County Municipal I-83 Tolling Letter

Council President Gallo's Presentation from the 9/30/2021 PA House Transportation Committee Public Hearing

Important information & meeting dates regarding Penn DOT’s proposal to toll the south bridge ending November 24th