GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Traffic congestion and ongoing construction along U.S. Route 15 are raising concerns for motorists and local businesses as the region prepares for increased travel tied to America250 events in Gettysburg.
Recent temporary lane closures in the Dillsburg area slowed traffic in both directions, particularly near the Route 15 and Route 74 intersection, where improvements are underway near a commercial development across from HJ Towing. The work is part of broader efforts to address safety and traffic flow in a heavily traveled corridor.
Frank Arnold, a mechanic at HJ Towing, said changes to the property’s frontage have created safety challenges. He noted that the removal of a curb previously prevented vehicles from cutting through the lot, but its replacement with grass has allowed drivers to pass through at high speeds and re-enter Route 15 directly.
In response, the business installed a speed bump to slow vehicles. Arnold added that construction-related congestion has also disrupted operations, including a recent delivery delay of more than an hour. At times, access points to the business have been temporarily blocked.
Nearby business owners say they understand the need for improvements but worry about maintaining customer access. Jimmy Hronis, owner of Baker’s Diner, said construction inevitably brings disruptions, but clear access points are essential to avoid deterring patrons.
Further south in Adams County, a separate PennDOT repaving project has reduced Route 15 to a single lane near the York Springs exit. The restriction continues beyond the Heidlersburg/East Berlin interchange and is expected to remain in place through the end of August. The lane reduction has contributed to notable slowdowns along the corridor.
PennDOT Community Relations Coordinator Dave Thompson advised motorists to plan for extra travel time when passing through the area, describing Route 15 as a consistently busy roadway.
Looking ahead, PennDOT has begun preliminary engineering work for a larger reconstruction project spanning approximately four miles of Route 15 North. The planned improvements will extend from Carroll Township in York County to Upper Allen Township in Cumberland County.
According to Thompson, the project aims to address deteriorating pavement, outdated drainage systems and persistent congestion. Officials anticipate the upgrades will improve both safety and traffic flow along the corridor.
With construction ongoing and more work planned, travelers heading toward Gettysburg are encouraged to anticipate delays and allow additional time, particularly during peak travel periods tied to national commemorative events.
