Eastern Inner Loop Project Design

Overview

Over the next 20 years, the State College area is projected to have an increase in population and infrastructure. To manage growth in traffic and congestion, three potential alternative routes were designed and evaluated. The Eastern Inner loop connection is a highway alignment that connects University Park with North Atherton Street. The purpose of this connection is to streamline traffic moving between these two areas by avoiding the congested intersection at Park Ave and North Atherton Street.

Objectives

The objective of this project is defined as follows:
• Develop an innovative and safe connection of the Eastern Inner Loop that follows AASTHO Greenbook requirements that allows for population growth.
• Compare three alternatives based on environmental impacts, safety data and user benefits.

Approach

• The functional classification and design controls were identified and determined based on design speed.
• Three horizontal and vertical alignments were created, each alignment connected University Park to three different locations near North Atherton Street. The three locations were Clinton Avenue, Vairo Boulevard, and the Mount Nittany Expressway.
• Each alternative was designed via Civil 3D drawings.
• Environmental impacts and safety prediction data were compared per each alignment through calculations and cost estimations.
• Based on the calculated data and working knowledge, the recommended alternative was selected and evaluated further.
• An intersection and interchange for the preferred alignment was designed via Civil 3D.
• A complete user benefit analysis was run using RED book wizard.

Outcomes

• Mount Nittany Expressway selected as the most advantageous alternative.
• New route projected to save travelers time and money post installation.
• The selected alternative allows for passengers to avoid projected congestion due to population and infrastructure growth.