U.S. ROUTE 422 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT RECEIVES FINANCIAL BOOST

 HARRISBURG, OCT. 5– State Sens. Connie Williams and John Rafferty announced that motorists caught in daily afternoon traffic congestion on westbound U.S. Route 422 in Upper Merion and West Norriton townships will soon have an easier commute, thanks to an upcoming project to add a third travel lane between Route 23 and Route 363.

 "This upcoming project is critical to relieving traffic congestion and increasing public safety," Williams said of the Route 422 interim improvement project. "With federal funds, a contract was let on September 27 and construction is scheduled to start early next year.”

 “The traffic situation along Routes 422 and 363 is at a critical stage.” Rafferty stated on the importance of this project. Rafferty added, "We have been working toward both short and long-term solutions to ease congestion and enhance safety and I am delighted that this first project will be starting in a few months.”

 Federal SAFETEA-LU funds totaling $5 million provided 80 percent of the funding for this improvement project which is scheduled to start in early 2008.

 The interim project was advanced by the local and state governments, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and PennDOT as an "early action element" of the River Crossing Complex project. The River Crossing Complex project is designed to improve travel along Route 422 in the area of the Schuylkill River crossing. The plan includes the reconstruction of the Route 422 Bridge over the Schuylkill River, including a new parallel four-lane bridge; the improvement of the Route 422 interchanges at Route 23 and Route 363; the relocation of a portion of North Gulph Road; the widening of Route 422 for 1.8 miles from state Route 363 to the U.S. Route 202 interchange; and the replacement of the Old Betzwood Bridge

 Under the interim project, which will start in 2008, PennDOT will add a third lane on westbound Route 422 between the Route 23 and Route 363 interchanges to reduce afternoon congestion.  Modifications will be made to the ramps at the Route 23 and Route 363 interchanges to accommodate the third westbound lane.  The loop off-ramp from westbound Route 422 to westbound Route 23 will be closed and all vehicles exiting for Route 23 will use the existing ramp to eastbound Route 23.  This off-ramp will be widened and a new signal will be installed on Route 23 to allow for left turns.  The total cost for designing and building the interim improvements is approximately $6.5 million.

 Two SAFETEA-LU earmarks were used for the interim project: $4 million, plus a 20 percent state match of $1 million for the construction phase and $440,000, plus a 20 percent state match of $110,000 for the pre-construction activities.

 "I'd like to thank motorists for their patience.  Improvements along the Route 422 Corridor have been a long time in the making, but the final results will be worth it – a much anticipated reduction in traffic congestion and added safety improvements," Williams said. "I'm looking forward to the start of the interim project, which will mark the beginning of the improvements along this heavily traveled corridor."

 “I believe Route 422 commuters will be relieved to see the interim project underway, and to know the plans to construct a new two-lane Betzwood Bridge are taking shape. I thank the motorists and the community for their patience and support” stated Rafferty.

 SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act) was signed into law on Aug. 10, 2005, and guarantees $224.1 billion in funding for highways, highway safety and public transportation project. It is an outgrowth of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21).

 SAFETEA-LU was developed to address the new challenges facing transportation systems, including safety improvements, traffic congestion reduction and improving intermodal connectivity and freight movement, all while protecting the environment.