Regionally Significant Projects
There are many transportation projects planned or ongoing within the DVRPC Region that have regional significance. Most are either in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) or the Long Range Plan (view interactive map of LRP Major Regional Projects).
This web page is provided as a public service to encourage knowledge and participation by members of the public for projects that affect them.
Highlighted below are projects of regional significance, many of which have their own web sites established by project's sponsor. These links are not intended to reflect advocacy by DVRPC of any one project or project alternative. If you would like to suggest a project link for this page, please email us.
New Jersey Projects
PATCO Southern New Jersey Transit Expansion
The Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO), a subsidiary of The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), is currently evaluating the need and potential for expanded rapid transit service to Gloucester, Camden, Cumberland and portions of Atlantic and Salem counties. This is a continuation of a previous feasibility study completed in 2005 which strongly endorsed pursuing increased rail transit options in this corridor to address transportation and mobility needs.
NJDOT I-295/I-76/Route 42 Direct Connection
The New Jersey Department of Transportation, in partnership with DVRPC, is studying the environmental impacts of a range of alternatives to improve safety and reduce congestion at the I-I-295/I-76/Route 42 Interchange in Camden and Gloucester counties. Learn about the project and how to provide your input.
Central New Jersey Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Project
In 2006 NJ TRANSIT completed alternatives analysis studies that estimated that a bus rapid transit system in the corridor could reduce weekday auto person trips by 11,000 to 12,000 reducing vehicles on a congested road system. The reduction is estimated at 370,000 to 400,000 vehicle miles of travel by auto per weekday with BRT. The BRT system is estimated to transport 31,200 person trips per weekday. The proposed system would include several park and ride lots. The transit share of work trips would more than double from present transit use. The BRT system also has the potential to support smart growth development surrounding BRT station stops. Jobs along the core of the BRT are expected to increase by 40% for a total of 100,000 jobs. The BRT is estimated to increase the percent of work trips using transit from 2 to 4% to 5 to 9% in the core of the study area (West Windsor, Plainsboro, Lawrence, Princeton Township and Princeton Borough).
Bi-State Projects
Scudder Falls Bridge Improvement Project
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC), in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is preparing an Environmental Assessment to evaluate potential alternatives and select a Preferred Alternative that will improve safety and relieve congestion on the Scudder Falls Bridge and along I-95 from PA Route 332 in Bucks Co., PA to Bear Tavern Road in Mercer Co., NJ.
Pennsylvania Projects
422Plus
Pennsylvania, like many states, is struggling to find adequate ways to fund transportation needs. The 422plus Project will consider whether tolling approximately 25 miles of US422 Expressway could fund road improvements to relieve congestion, address infrastructure needs, and potentially support re-establishing passenger rail on an active freight line.
R6 Norristown Line Service Extension Study
The study will determine the feasibility of restoring passenger rail service between communities along the US Route 422 corridor in Montgomery, Chester, and Berks counties and Center City Philadelphia. As the region continues to grow, traffic is increasing along US Route 422. Commuter rail would provide another transportation option for residents commuting to King of Prussia, Norristown, Conshohocken, and Philadelphia and could also provide a catalyst for development and redevelopment in well established towns such as Phoenixville, Royersford, Pottstown, and Reading.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeastern Extension Reconstruction and Widening Project
This project is for the full depth total roadway reconstruction of 10.5 miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension. Upon completion of this project, the existing four-lane facility with a four-foot median and eight to 10-foot shoulders will be converted into a six-lane facility with three 12-foot travel lanes north and southbound, a 26-foot median, and 12-foot shoulders.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Emergency Transportation Plan
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has undertaken creation of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Emergency Transportation Plan. This planning effort will work to ensure an appropriate and consistent response to events impacting the five country area.
PATCO Philadelphia Waterfront Transit Expansion
The Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO), a subsidiary of the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), is evaluating alternatives to expand transit services along Philadelphia's Waterfront. The alternatives are being evaluated as part of an Alternatives Analysis (AA), the first step in the Federal Transit Administration's Planning Process. This Alternatives Analysis was preceded by the Southern New Jersey to Philadelphia Transit Study (October 2005) which strongly recommended increased rail transit in this corridor.
Pennsylvania Turnpike / I-95 Interchange
In the near future, a decision will be made on whether to build a direct interchange between the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 95. This is a major highway proposal with far-reaching implications.
PennDOT US 202 projects
U.S. Route 202 in Pennsylvania is a 59 mile-long highway that connects New Jersey to the north with Delaware to the south and serves as a major commuter route and vital link for business and industry in the tri-state region. Recognizing the importance of US 202 and the very real need to increase its capacity to relieve congestion and meet existing and future travel demands, public and private interests have joined together to find ways to make much needed improvements. Through this joint public/private partnership, a number of projects and studies are currently in progress to examine both short-term and long-term improvements.
I-95/US 322 Interchange Improvement Project
This improvement project will reconstruct the interchange connecting two heavily traveled corridors, I-95 and US 322, and improve the region's major north-south corridor extending from Wilmington through Philadelphia. In addition, it will improve US 322 which carries traffic from Chester and Delaware Counties eastward to New Jersey via the Commodore Barry Bridge.
Route 309 Expressway Reconstruction
This estimated $330 million project, comprised of five separate mainline contracts, will significantly improve the 10-mile limited access highway from Cheltenham Avenue in Philadelphia to Route 63 (Welsh Road) in Lower Gwynedd Township.
I-95 Reconstruction in Philadelphia
Decades of continuous use and exposure to the elements have taken a toll on I-95 and its numerous bridges. To ensure that the region's primary north-south artery meets the demands of commerce and the needs of commuters well into the 21st Century, PennDOT is in the midst of a long-term, multi-phase initiative to improve and rebuild I-95 in Philadelphia.
I-476 Improvement Project
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is moving forward on its three-phase program to upgrade and improve its portion of I-476 between I-95 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) Mid-County Toll Plaza in Delaware and Montgomery counties. Collectively known as the I-476 Improvement Project, PennDOT's projects are designed to prolong the life of I-476 and improve overall ride quality. With one construction project completed in 2005, two upcoming projects will be phased and carefully staged to minimize disruptions to motorists and neighboring residents and businesses.