Route 196/Sterling Road Safety Project
State Route 196 (Sterling Road) is classified as a major collector roadway providing access to residential developments and businesses in Mount Pocono Borough and Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County.
This online plans display includes digital picture boards and an online questionnaire, and is available to the public until August 5, 2024.
Route 196 experiences traffic volumes exceeding 5,000 vehicles per day in the present condition and expected to increase to over 6,000 vehicles per day by 2046. The posted speed limits on SR 196 vary from 35-45 mph within the project area.
The existing roadway cross section consists of two 11’ travel lanes with 3’ shoulders on each side. Utility poles and private signage structures are in close proximity to the road edges.
In the period from 2017 to 2021, the intersections of Route 196/Pine Hill Road and Route 196/T-589 (Green Road) have developed a crash history exceeding the state average for non-interstate state highways. The primary types of crashes observed at these intersections were rear-end and angle crashes. Due to the elevated crash history located at these intersections, the intersections of Route 196/Pine Hill Road and Route 196/T-589 (Green Road) were identified as the sites for safety improvements included in this project.
The major improvements proposed at both intersections include the addition of turning lanes, increased shoulder widths, removal or relocation of obstructions within the clear zone, and improved turning radii at the intersection corners.
At the Pine Hill Road intersection, a 250’ right turn lane on the southbound leg of Route 196 is being proposed. A 100’ left turn lane on the eastbound leg of Pine Hill Road is also being proposed at this intersection. Shoulder widths on both sides of Route 196 at this location will be increased from 3’ to 8’. Additional Right-of-Way will be required in all four intersection quadrants to accommodate increased pavement radii and roadway width.
Two turning lanes are proposed on Route 196 at the T-589 (Green Road) intersection, a 75’ southbound right turn lane and a 75’ northbound left turn lane. The Route 196 shoulder will be increased from 3’ to 8’ on the western side and increased from 3’ to 6’ on the eastern side. The proposed 6’ shoulder on the eastern side of Route 196 will require a design exception since it is less than the 8’ shoulder required based on the design criteria. Additional Right-of-Way will be required along the western side of Route 196 to accommodate the additional pavement width associated with the new turn lanes and widened shoulders.
Individuals or groups with a demonstrated interest within the project limits, surrounding businesses, and local property owners that may be affected by the proposed project are encouraged to review the displays and contact us with any questions.
The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project.
It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the project's potential effect upon cultural resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, please contact PennDOT Project Manager Kris Bellotti at c-kbellott@pa.gov or 215-600-3940.
Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891 or 800-468-4201.
For more information on projects occurring or being bid this year, those made possible by or accelerated by the state transportation funding plan (Act 89), or those on the Department’s Four- and Twelve-Year Plans, visit www.projects.penndot.gov.
Project Contacts
Consultant Project Manager
Kris Bellotti
215-600-3940
c-kbellott@pa.gov
Press Officer
Ronald J. Young, Jr., M.P.A.
610-871-4555
PROJECT LOCATION
The project is located in a primarily forested urban area that includes transportation, residential,
and commercial land uses. The SR 196/Pine Hill Road intersection is located ½ mile north of
the intersection of SR 196/SR 611. Pine Hill Road serves as a connection between SR 196 and
SR 611 as well as the primary access for multiple residential neighborhoods located east of SR
196. The SR 196/T-589 (Green Road) intersection is located 1 mile north of the Pine Hill Road
intersection and ¾ mile east of the Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport. Multiple commercial
properties are in the vicinity of this intersection with accesses along both SR 196 and T-589
(Green Road).
SR 0196 Section 01S Sterling Rd. Safety Improvement Project
Mount Pocono Borough and Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County
PROPOSED PROJECT OVERVIEW
PennDOT is proposing a project that consists of two intersection safety improvements. This first
is at the intersection of SR 196 (Sterling Road) and Pine Hill Road, and the second is at the
intersection of SR 196 (Sterling Road) and T-589 (Green Road). The project is located in Mount
Pocono Borough and Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, PA. The Intersection Safety
Improvements are as follows:
Pine Hill Road Intersection:
• Add a 250’ southbound right turn lane on SR 196.
• Add 100’ eastbound left turn lane on Pine Hill Road.
• Increase shoulder width on SR 196 from 3’ to 8’.
• Improved turning radii at all four corners of the intersection.
T-589 (Green Road) Intersection:
• Add a 75’ southbound right turn lane on SR 196.
• Add a 75’ northbound left turn lane on SR 196.
• Increase SR 196 shoulder width from 3’ to 8’ on the left, and 3’ to 6’ on the right.
• Improved turning radii at the two corners of the intersection.
• Cross slope and superelevation correction to bring a substandard horizontal curve up to
standard.
The typical section for the existing two-lane SR 196 (Sterling Road) will be widened to provide
additional turn lanes and widened shoulders as described above. The widened roadway section
will consist of two 11’ travel lanes and 11’ turn lanes with 6’ to 8’ shoulders on each side. The
center portion of the existing roadway will receive mill and pave, and full depth widening will be
required to accommodate the additional lane. The existing cross slopes on SR 196 (Sterling
Road) will be improved to 2.00% in both the mill and pave and widened turn lane areas. The
proposed shoulders will be sloped at 6.00%. The typical section will narrow back to two 11’
lanes at the ends of the project with shoulder widths matching the existing widths. The proposed
cross slopes will be transitioned to match the existing cross slopes.
PROJECT INFORMATION
County: Monroe County
Municipality: Mount Pocono Borough and Coolbaugh Township
SR 0196 Section 01S Sterling Rd. Safety Improvement Project
Mount Pocono Borough and Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County
Project: Safety Improvement
Designer: Larson Design Group
1000 Commerce Park Drive, Suite 201
Williamsport, PA 17701
Project Contact: Brad James, PE, CBSI
570-651-1568; bjames@larsondesigngroup.com
Project Manager: Consultant Project Manager
Project Contact: Kristian Bellotti, PE
215-592-4200; c-kbellott@pa.gov