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40 The Authority | October 2025 pa t urnpIKe p artners wIth l ocal a uthorItIes for s tewardshIp , s ustaInabIlIty Raelene Gabriel, Engineer Project Manager, The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Each year, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) completes hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of construction projects, all playing a critical role in delivering a safe and reliable roadway that supports national commerce and mobility. While infrastructure improvements are a top priority, the PA Turnpike also remains deeply committed to environmental stewardship throughout its operations. The PA Turnpike has numerous safeguards in place to protect the environment for each project. With more than 2,400 lane miles of roadway throughout Pennsylvania, passing over dozens of Commonwealth rivers, creeks and streams that feed the Ohio, Chesapeake, and Delaware watersheds, collaborating with communities on stormwater management and pollution mitigation is essential. Supporting Best Practices Construction and land development can lead to soil erosion without proper safeguards. During final design, we follow federal and state regulations, apply best practices, and ensure all requirements are met before construction begins. We also hold a permit to manage stormwater discharges along the PA Turnpike, with our Engineering team overseeing systems permitted under the NPDES program, including MS4. The PA Turnpike manages sediment and stormwater runoff by adhering to permit requirements and employing onsite erosion and sedimentation Best Management Practices to trap or filter runoff. Each project being unique, we implement various pre- and post-construction stormwater measures, including designed erosion controls, storm inlets, conveyance pipes, and stormwater swales and basins. Once construction is complete, Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) are installed to restrict runoff from the highway system and its supporting facilities. These SCMs are engineered to slow, hold, infiltrate, and/or treat stormwater runoff before it reaches bodies of water and groundwater. To manage the PA Turnpike’s stormwater facility inventory, inspections, and maintenance data, we developed an internal digital platform called the Stormwater Asset Management Program (SWAMP). It reduces paper use and streamlines inspections, work orders, and SCM compliance, helping the PA Turnpike coordinate with local partners and maintain efficient operations. Collaborating for Stewardship Every two years, we engage with neighboring municipalities about the PA Turnpike’s MS4 program and seek ways to enhance public education and outreach on waterway stewardship. Our current stormwater data for the PA Turnpike is accessible via a web-based mapping application, offering instant access to the locations of inlets, pipes, swales, stormwater basins, and outfalls for MS4 areas. Continued on page 44.