What Makes The West Shore Bypass Dangerous?
One of the busiest and essential routes for residents, tourists, and commuters in Pennsylvania is the West Shore Bypass. This 5-mile stretch of the US Route 422 offers easy and convenient access to suburban and urban areas it serves. On the other hand, it is also known for being dangerous to motorists and pedestrians. The West Shore Bypass is dangerous mainly because of higher-than-normal accident rates, structural and design issues, congestion, and poor mobility.
If you or a loved one got injured in a West Shore Bypass accident, it’s in your best interest to evaluate your legal options with an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer. Depending on the nature of your accident, you could be entitled to pursue compensation from multiple liable parties. Meanwhile, here’s what you should know about the hazards of West Shore Bypass.
Higher Than Average Accident Rates
The West Shore Bypass experiences substantially higher accident rates than other similar stretches of highway in the state. The causes for these higher-than-normal crash rates include congestion and design flaws, including:
- Major interchanges that do not meet the current safety standards due to short weave distances and poorly designed deceleration and acceleration lanes.
- Left-hand lane exit and entrance ramps (instead of the common right-hand lane ramps) at Lancaster Ave. Interchange.
- Issues with traffic signals that make maneuvering and queuing between PA Route 10 and Lancaster Ave. Interchange hazardous.
Structural and Design Issues
Due to its age, the infrastructure within the West Shore Bypass naturally has design and structural issues. Five bridges are structurally compromised and require replacement or extensive repairs. Narrow shoulders and medians cause a significant number of crashes involving fixed objects.
Insufficient sight distance and poorly maintained side slopes make it hard for motorists to pull over safely during emergencies. Additionally, poor pavement conditions raise the risk of accidents and vehicular damage when motorists make abrupt maneuvers and lose control of their vehicles to avoid the damaged areas.
Mobility Issues for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
The Lancaster Ave. Interchange lacks the necessary safety features to ensure safe crossings for bicyclists and pedestrians. Likewise, the Penn Ave. and Penn St. Interchange will also require additional safety features to accommodate the expected increase in bicycle and pedestrian traffic due to the construction of the trail system that will connect the Schuylkill River and the interchange.
High Traffic Volume
Heavy traffic is common in the bustling West Shore Bypass, especially during peak commuting hours. This can increase the risk of accidents when impatient or negligent drivers engage in reckless maneuvers, including abrupt lane changes, speeding, tailgating, and failing to yield the right of way.
Additionally, the ongoing roadwork and construction projects contribute to congestion issues. Many work zones in the West Shore Bypass are inadequately marked, and lanes can be rerouted or reduced without advance warning. Motorists may not always be ready to handle these unexpected changes, and their risk of getting into accidents increases due to sudden stops and merging vehicles.
Seek Legal Guidance From Our Established Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer Now
Injured in a West Shore Bypass accident? Schedule your free case review with our Pennsylvania personal injury attorney at Fanelli, Evans & Patel, P.C. online or by phone. Let our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer navigate the complex claims process so you can focus on your recovery while we focus on securing maximum compensation on your behalf.