Lower Paxton Township, Pa. - PennDOT will close the Colonial Park exit ramp from Interstate 83 South next year as part of a safety improvement funded by federal stimulus money.

Once the exit is closed, all traffic from I-83 to Route 22 will be directed to the Progress Exit.

"Closing that ramp will help move traffic through that corridor a little more smoothly," said PennDOT spokesperson Mike Crochunis. "You won't have the brake lights and with the overpass there, it does make it a little difficult to see."

The on and off ramps come together in what's known as a weave lane. It's not very long and usually very busy. The merge point has proved to be fatal. In August 2004, one person died in a fiery crash.

Drivers like Vera Cornish were happy to hear about the change.

"There's a portion of the exit where you're both exiting and coming on at the same exact spot," Cornish said. "So it's almost like playing a game of chicken."

Lower Paxton Township plans to put up a stop light on Route 22 at the Progress Exit. Drivers will be able to turn right or left on Route 22 once the Colonial Park ramp is shut down.

 

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