New I-83 exit: What's the latest with the plans? How will it shape growth?

York Daily Record

While officials are waiting for approval to build a new Interstate 83 interchange in northern York County, the municipalities involved are determining how the land surrounding it should be used for future generations.

A series of meetings are set for the public to review plans for growth in the area if a new interchange is built at Canal Road in-between Emigsville Exit 24 and Strinestown Exit 28.

A study has recommended the new interchange along with widening the highway to six lanes to help improve the flow of traffic. The Federal Highway Administration still needs to approve the creation of Exit 26.

Meanwhile, four municipalities — Conewago, East Manchester and Manchester townships and Manchester borough — have been creating a land use plan in advance of possible construction.

Officials are making decisions about how long-term growth will happen in the community if the new interchange comes to fruition, said Michelle Brummer, project manager and an AICP with Gannett Fleming, Inc.

Looking north across the Canal Road overpass on Interstate 83 at left and Willow Springs Lane at the right. The towering C&S Wholesale Grocers and ES3 warehouses are at the top left. The area, between Emigsville and Strinestown, is under consideration for a new access point to the interstate from Canal Road, Exit 26.

What's been happening?

For the past year, local municipal leaders have been holding public hearings to discuss how a new interchange will impact the land around it.

The effort has been led by the York Area Metropolitan Planning Organization; consultant planners, Gannett Fleming, Inc. and Vernon Land Use, and the York County Planning Commission.

E-commerce has been thriving during the pandemic, and it's not expected to decline, Brummer said. Warehouse distribution and manufacturing markets are expanding and looking for land to develop new facilities.

In addition, the need exists for more homes in the area, she said. During the planning process, Freedom Square — an all-in-one neighborhood that would include homes, hotels, restaurants, stores and more — has been proposed in Conewago Township.

Growth is anticipated with new access to the highway, and officials are trying to make decisions now rather than waiting until later.

What's the latest?

The four municipalities are hosting a series of public hearings for residents to comment on the final draft of the land use plan. It can be viewed at www.ycpc.org/461/I-83-Master-Plan.

The proposed changes are in Conewago and Manchester townships. They include a commercial area around the planned new interchange and an expansion of industrial to the west side of the highway, Brummer said.

Much of the residential growth is proposed along the Susquehanna Trail and west of it.

Planning commission members want to hear from the public before making a final recommendation to local elected officials. The proposed changes would be made if the new interchange becomes a reality.

The meetings are:

Conewago Township, 490 Copenhaffer Road: 7 p.m. Monday

East Manchester Township, 5080 N. Sherman St., Ext.: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Manchester Township, 3200 Farmtrail Road: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Manchester borough, 225 S. Main St.: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

The public is invited to comment on proposed land use changes with a planned new Interstate 83 interchange in northern York County. The meetings will be held next week.

What's next?

In the new year, elected officials are expected to take action on the recommendations.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation plans to make its final submission on the proposed new interchange to the Federal Highway Administration within the next week, said Will Clark, chief of transportation planning with the York County Planning Commission.

The federal agency has seen drafts of the proposal, Clark said. It is expected to decide in about six months whether to give approval.