ADDRESSING TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IN THE 17TH DISTRICT

HARRISBURG, SEPT. 20 – Transportation is critical to the quality of life in the 17th Senatorial District, according to state Sen. Connie Williams, who has asked the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to move forward on a number of important local transportation projects.

"Pennsylvania's system of transportation is at a critical crossroads not only in preserving our system of mass transit, but also in addressing the roads and bridges that keep Pennsylvanians, travelers and our economy moving on a daily basis," Williams said. "With new and dedicated funding streams that will be made available under Act 44 of 2007, Pennsylvania has new opportunities to meet the transportation challenges that we face today. At the same time, it is important that we do not allow transportation (roads, bridges and transit) systems to stagnate.

"These improvements are necessary to promote safety, reduce traffic congestion and support economic revitalization and growth in local communities. The strength of our local communities is directly related to the overall economic vitality of the Commonwealth."

Williams submitted her comments in support of a number of local projects to the State Transportation Commission through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler. The commission has held hearings across the state over the past few months in an effort to garner local input and to update the state's 12-Year-Program. The program provides a snapshot of what state-funded transportation projects will move forward in coming years. The plan is updated periodically.

As part of her written testimony, Williams acknowledged and thanked the many local planning organizations and local governments (calling them visionaries and careful planners) that are working each day on addressing local transportation needs.

"Through their efforts, I am kept current on local needs," Williams said. "I know I can count on their insight and resourcefulness in finding the most cost-efficient means to address those needs. I fully support the recommendations offered during the State Transportation Commission hearings by these organizations and the local governments in my district."

Williams noted that she has major concerns about the condition of Pennsylvania's bridges and is pleased that PENNDOT has made bridge reconstruction a priority and fully supports those efforts, especially in light of the fact that the worst bridge in the state – the DeKalb Pike Bridge in Bridgeport – is located in the 17th District.

 "I hope this will be one of the first bridges to be addressed," Williams said.

 She also noted that her district presents some of the greatest transportation challenges in the state and includes the intersection of three major highways in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

 "If there is a delay on one of them it has an impact on all traffic throughout the region," Williams said. "All transportation needs must be viewed in a regional context – county borders disappear when it comes to traffic flow."

 Finally, she again asked that special consideration be given to the issue of sound walls.

 "While these walls may be unnecessary in some parts of the state, where the walls have been placed in the 17th District, there is a greater level of safety and an improved quality of life for my constituents," Williams said.

 The following are the projects Williams included in her testimony: 

  • Lafayette Street extension, which impacts both Norristown and Plymouth Township

  • US-422 River Crossing Complex project, which includes the Betzwood Bridge Replacement

  • PA 23/US 422 interchange modernization

  • PA 363/US 422 interchange modernization project and US 422 widening

  • I-476 Blue Route Reconstruction

 "All of these projects are critical to the continued safety of the motoring public, as well as to addressing traffic congestion and economic revitalization in various communities in the 17th District," Williams said.

 With regard to the individual municipalities, Williams offered support for the following:

  • Bridgeport

    • DeKalb Pike Bridge (U.S. 202) replacement.

  • Conshohocken

    • Elm Street Bridge (partial removal and replacement)

  • Haverford Township

    • Alignment and installation of turning lanes and traffic signal at Burmont and Glendale state roads.

    • Re-alignment of left turn lane and complete signal modification on Darby and Eagle state roads.

    • Widening of Haverford Road at College Avenue intersection to provide left turn lanes in both directions. Since 1995, over 120 reportable accidents have occurred at this intersection.

  • Lower Merion Township

    • Pennswood Road Bridge improvements

    • Upgrade signals and provide left turn lanes as needed on Rock Hill Road/Belmont Avenue.

  • Norristown

    • Norristown Elementary Sidewalk project, a Hometown Street/Safe Routes to School project.

    • Construction of Streetscape improvements in the central business district and replacement of some sidewalks.

  • Radnor

    • Safety improvements to Goshen Road, south of Darby-Paoli roads.

    • Signals on US 30 (Lancaster Avenue

  • Upper Merion Township

    • PA 23 Improvement project (from east of the US 422 Interchange to US 202 in Bridgeport Borough).

    • Extension of Saulin Boulevard one mile north, from the recently constructed two-lane roadway at US 202 in Upper Merion to PA 21 and US 202 northbound in Bridgeport.

    • The SEPTA Route 100 Extension to King of Prussia Mall.

  • West Conshohocken

    • Improvements to PA 23 River Road at Balligomingo/River Road intersection.

 Williams also asked that the following projects already in process continue to be funded and advanced on the 12-Year-Plan:

  • Norristown

    • Widening of Route 202 to three or four lanes in the 1.6 mile section on Markley Street (from Main Street to Johnson Highway), including a center turn lane where required

  • Upper Merion Township

    • I-76 Westbound Henderson Road Ramps and South Henderson Road/South Gulph Road widening projects.

    • I-76 Ramps Phase I and Westbound noise walls.

    • Widening and bridge replacement on PA 23 to PA 422/PA 363

    • Widening from two lanes to four lanes of I-76 interchange and Henderson Road (Shoemaker to PA Turnpike).

 The purpose of the State Transportation Commission is to evaluate and determine the condition and performance of the state's transportation system. It also evaluates the resources required to preserve, restore, extend and expand transportation facilities and services in order to conserve Pennsylvania's communities and to ensure economic development. Its findings are reported to the state Department of Transportation.