PA 413 (Pine Street) is federally classified as a Regional Principal Arterial. This classification of roadway is meant to carry most trips entering and leaving the area and serves intra-area travel. In the existing condition, U.S. 1 traffic must exit the mainline via frontage roads and then disperse onto neighborhood streets, and then travelers work their way to a major street (e.g., Pine Street) to continue or complete their trips. Providing a direct connection to PA 413 (Pine Street) via an interchange reduces traffic on neighborhood streets and places vehicles directly onto PA 413 (Pine Street) via a modern interchange design.
The current roadway layout does essentially function as an informal interchange in the existing condition. Currently, southbound U.S.1 traffic exits onto the southbound service road, then turns right onto Bellevue Avenue. and either stays straight up to PA 213 (Maple Avenue) or it turns right onto Gillam Avenue to access PA 413 (Pine Street). Likewise, northbound U.S. 1 traffic exits onto the northbound service road, then turns right onto Bellevue Avenue to access PA 413 (Pine Street). Bellevue Avenue is a state route but is only classified as a Minor Arterial and is primarily a residential neighborhood street within the immediate vicinity.