A small 300-year-old village with a 21st-century traffic problem

Schaefferstown Improvement Project

For decades, the traffic congestion along SR 0501 in the village was a safety concern. Although a relatively small bypass project, this project had numerous challenges and complexities. Schaefferstown is surrounded by agriculture and historic properties, so right-of-way was an issue. Plus, there were multiple environmental concerns associated with wetlands, stormwater management, and threatened and endangered species habitat.

After conducting multiple studies, we determined that a bypass roadway was the best solution for the congestion. This included an environmental assessment that achieved a finding of no significant impact. Key to the success of the project was our early coordination at every stage of the project to gain input from agencies and to ensure that the design satisfied all stakeholders. As an early adopter of best management practices in Pennsylvania, our team utilized these skills to create a transformational stormwater management design.

Other achievements for the project were the cost-saving precast concrete arch structures for culverts, aesthetic treatments on structures to mitigate for environmental effects, and even a culvert so cattle could pass under the roadway to maintain their pasture connection.