I-83 EAST SHORE SECTION 2 EISENHOWER INTERCHANGE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

The Challenge 

The I-83 East Shore Section 2 Eisenhower Interchange Reconstruction project is located in Dauphin County, PA and is one of several projects the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is advancing along a portion of the I-83 Capital Beltway. The I-83 Capital Beltway extends from a junction with I-81 northeast of Harrisburg to the interchange with Route 581 across the Susquehanna River, south of Harrisburg in Cumberland County. The beltway encircles the city of Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, and surrounding municipalities. The Capital Beltway is vital to the economy of the Harrisburg region and is an important hub in the transportation network of the northeastern United States. 

How We Helped 

PennDOT selected McCormick Taylor to perform preliminary engineering, environmental studies, public involvement, and final design for this project that includes the reconstruction of the Eisenhower Interchange and portions of I-283, U.S. 322, and Eisenhower Boulevard. The preliminary project construction cost is estimated at $1 billion. This is one of the largest projects for PennDOT’s Engineering District 8. 

Accordingly, the public involvement component for this project is challenging to say the least, but these types of challenges are what makes McCormick Taylor’s approach to public involvement shine. McCormick Taylor customizes its public outreach strategy for each project beginning with the development of a Public Involvement Plan (PIP). The I-83 PIP was designed in close collaboration with the project-owner so that it aligns with the client’s unique project goals and objectives. Ultimately, it provides a framework for the various public engagement activities ranging from project communications to public forums, set on a time frame tied to the project development process and schedule. The PIP is also dynamic as it is adjusted over the course of the project to document changes in our strategy due to public and/or project need. 

This project includes a very large and culturally diverse audience which warranted special considerations for inclusivity and language translation – all a part of McCormick Taylor’s public engagement toolbox. Another key feature of the public involvement effort is the project website. McCormick Taylor initially developed the Harrisburg I-83 Capital Beltway website in conjunction with the I-83 Masterplan, which identified four sections along I-83 that could resolve the transportation needs determined along the corridor. The website was redesigned as part of this project to serve as a complete project information resource for improvements planned, in process, and completed on the I-83 Capital Beltway. Each section has a dedicated page on the website to display project data and details, mapping, and schedule information. Users can navigate between the subpages using an interactive map on the homepage. The website was also a key resource for extending the availability of project mapping, environmental documentation, design plans, handouts and other collateral materials designed for the open house plans display, and public comment period and public hearing conducted for this project.