S.R. 56: Windber to Cessna and
Johnstown West End Traffic Study

In 1992, we were awarded our first contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and opened a branch office in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania.

The initial contract was for a study of S.R. 56 from Windber to Cessna. This 22-mile section of roadway is a principal access route for traffic between Johnstown and eastern Pennsylvania and the southeast United States. It is a 2-lane road with varying intensities of adjacent development, several sharp curves and steep grades, and in some areas, high accident rates. We prepared a Needs Analysis and Environmental Overview, and developed and evaluated preliminary alternatives. Our services also included coordination with the public and regulatory agencies.

As a supplement to the original contract, we studied access between downtown Johnstown and US 22 to the northwest, a principal route connecting the Johnstown area with Pittsburgh. S.R. 56 and S.R. 403 currently provide this access, carrying a substantial amount of truck traffic on city streets. Our work included origin-destination surveys, interviews with trucking companies and civic groups, development and evaluation of preliminary alternatives, and coordination with the public.

The results of both studies have been used by PennDOT and local municipalities in developing projects for Pennsylvania's Twelve Year Transportation Program.