PennDOT officials are seeking public comment on a proposal to install roundabouts along State Hill Road around the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing.
The federally funded project seeks to improve traffic safety and mobility, as well as stormwater drainage along the corridor, according to PennDOT’s website.
At a meeting in Wyomissing in October, PennDOT officials laid out plans for three multilane roundabouts on State Hill Road between the Spring Street and Colony Drive intersections.
Roundabouts are planned for the following locations, according to PennDOT:
• Spring Street and Granite Point Drive intersections.
• Route 222 north and Route 422 east ramp.
• Route 222 south and Route 422 west ramp.
Roundabouts are also proposed at the Route 222 north and Route 422 east ramp and the Route 222 south and Route 422 west ramp along State Hill Road in Wyomissing. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Another project that was not reviewed at the meeting but will move forward after the first project begins includes several other State Hill upgrades:
• A roundabout at the intersection at Berkshire Mall driveway and Greenwood Mall neighborhood entrance.
• A roundabout at the Woodland Road intersection.
• Widening State Hill Road to five lanes between Woodland Road and Berkshire Boulevard with the addition of a two-way left-turn lane.
Pavement markings and overhead signs will direct drivers through the roundabouts, PennDOT said.
An elongated “tear drop” roundabout will direct traffic at the Granite Point Drive and Spring Street intersections.
That roundabout will restrict left turns onto Granite Point Drive, instead requiring traffic heading westbound to Granite Point to make a U-turn at the Route 222 north roundabout.
Traffic heading east onto Spring Street will still be able to enter at the intersection using the roundabout.
A new sidewalk will connect the railroad overpass to the Tower Health building at 950 N. Wyomissing Blvd.
A shared-use path away from the road will be installed for pedestrians and cyclists on the south side of State Hill Road, according to PennDOT.
Locations where sidewalks cross the roundabouts will feature crosswalks and pedestrian activated flashing beacons, PennDOT noted.
The project includes sharper yield lanes at the Routes 422 and 222 roundabouts than what currently exist, which PennDOT says will slow vehicles, provide better visibility and improve merging for highway traffic.
Those interested in sharing their thoughts on the project can submit comments to PennDOT until Nov. 20.
Construction on the initial three roundabouts is slated to start in summer 2027 and continue until fall 2030.
The second roundabout project will have some overlap with the first and will begin moving forward with design after construction on the first project has begun, according to Sean Brown, safety press officer with PennDOT.
Brown said the three initial roundabouts are estimated to cost around $10.7 million.