Grand Street Extension in Hamburg, Berks County, PA
Project Information
Grand Street Extension
Isett has served the Borough of Hamburg as Special Projects Engineer since 2016 and Alternate Municipal Engineer since 2018.
The Borough engaged Isett to conduct a feasibility study concerning the extension of Grand Street along the northern border of a manufacturing facility to connect with State Route 61. The project involved coordination with state and local government officials and stakeholders, conceptual design plans for improved intersection alignments, permitting, stormwater design, and feasibility recommendations.
Isett prepared a sketch plan package for review by the Borough of Hamburg, PennDOT District 5-0 Permits Unit, and the Berks County Planning Commission. Isett provided the Borough with a construction cost opinion, then prepared a detailed design of the roadway extension as well as a Traffic Impact Study with a study area of 9 intersections to determine the impact that the Grand Street extension would have on the regional road network.
Isett was then authorized to proceed with design and construction. The project involved the design and construction of a right in/right out connection of Grand Street to the northbound lane of S.R. 61 with the associated acceleration/deceleration lanes and the widening of an existing bridge across Mill Creek.
Isett prepared Right-of-Way (ROW) plans and exhibits in accordance with PennDOT DM3 standards. Our firm conducted wetland delineation and achieved PNDI, PA Historic Museum Commission, conservation district and PA Department of Environmental Protection approvals. Isett also assisted with bidding and construction administration.
The phased project was a local led project with design fees funded by Berks County and Hamburg Borough. Construction of the extension was funded by PennDOT ($2.5 million) and federal sources ($1.8 million).
In a subsequent project, Isett was engaged to conduct a feasibility study concerning proposed improvements at the intersection of a major thoroughfare in the borough’s business district (US Route 61 and South Fourth Street).
The project examined the realignment of the existing intersection into a five-legged approach intersection. Isett conducted a topographic survey of 700 feet of S.R. 61 in each direction, 200 feet of Woodland Road, 400 feet of South Fourth Street and 400 feet of the S.R. 61 northbound “slip ramp.” Our firm conducted a Right-of-Way analysis and prepared alternate design and sketch plans for the proposed improvements.
The original intention of this project was to create access to a redevelopment area so that these parcels could be developed, and it worked. The infrastructure improvements pictured (Spring 2022) directly led to new commercial areas on these once-vacant parcels of land.
