Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will be starting a major construction project in Whitehall Township.

The township board of commissioners was told at its meeting last Monday of the pending highway work, as a PowerPoint presentation was given by representatives of Penn-DOT and Mackin Engineering Co., contracted for the job.

The pending project will take place at the Route 145/MacArthur Road and Route 329/Main Street intersection in Egypt.

The expected cost is $1.5 million. The contract for the extensive roadway and signalization is expected to start in September 2015 and last until August 2016.

The commissioners and Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. raised many questions regarding its design, the crossing of several lanes of traffic on Route 145, the stacking of vehicles and timing of traffic lights.

Steven A. Guinter, an engineer with the New Cumberland company, answered some of the questions.

"The project is currently in the preliminary engineering phase of design," he said.

He said the township comments will be taken into account as the design work moves forward and the board will be kept informed of the design progress.

Board President Linda Snyder said Hozza should be kept in the loop, who would then appraise the commissioners.

Guinter discussed the need of another update as the design work moves toward a final plan.

Aerial utility line adjustments and pole relocations will be required to improve the signal visibility, township officials were informed.

The outline by Mackin Engineering stated the proposed roadway typical section will have 12-foot travel lanes, left-turn lanes and the new addition of right-turn lanes in each direction of Route 145.

The proposed design widens the intersection radii to accommodate vehicle turning improvements, new curbing and roadside drainage improvements.

The proposed design also includes:

· Extending northbound left turn lane storage to 525 feet.

· Extending southbound left turn lane 205 feet.

· Adding northbound right turn lane of 235 feet.

· Adding southbound right turn lane of 375 feet.

· New traffic signal supports with mast arms, street names on masts and overhead lane control.

· New signal heads and watch for stopped vehicles warning signs on approaches of Route 145/MacArthur Road.

·New signal heads and LED lens with black plates.

· Emergency service and pedestrian signal accommodations, curb ramps and connecting sidewalks.

· Optimized signal timing and new vehicle detection.

· Aerial utility line relocations to improve signal visibility.

Guinter said temporary easement and right-of-way may be required from properties next to the intersection.