Regionally Significant Projects

There are many transportation projects planned or ongoing within the DVRPC region that will maintain and improve our region's transportation system. Some of these projects will have a significant impact on regional travel. Most are listed in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) or the Long Range Plan, and more information about their cost and timing is available in those documents. This web page is provided as a public service to encourage knowledge and participation by members of the public for noteworthy projects. Highlighted below are projects of regional significance. Click on the project for more information. Many projects have their own website, established by the project's sponsor.

Roadway Projects

I-95 Reconstruction

PennDOT is working on a long-term, multi-phase initiative to rebuild and improve I-95 in Pennsylvania. Five major projects to reconstruct the interstate between the I-676 and Cottman Avenue interchanges in Philadelphia are now in various stages of design or construction, including active construction projects at the Girard Avenue and Cottman Avenue interchanges. The improvements will also eliminate lane drops and improve the operation of the interchanges.

I-95/Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange

The I-95/Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange Project will provide a direct connection between the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-95, completing the missing link along I-95 and connecting the East Coast from Maine to Florida. The first phase will provide high speed ramps to connect northbound I-95 to the eastbound Turnpike and the westbound Turnpike to southbound I-95, and widen the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Future phases will construct additional connections between the two roadways, widen additional segments of both I-95 and the Turnpike, and construct a second bridge over the Delaware River.

US 322 Widening and US 322/I-95 Interchange Improvements

US 322 in Delaware County is being widened to four lanes between I-95 and US 1. A separate project will improve the interchange between US 322 and I-95, eliminating the lane weave on I-95 required to access the Commodore Barry Bridge.

Lafayette Street Extension

The Lafayette Street Extension Project will significantly improve access to Norristown and its Main Street and riverfront as well as Plymouth Township's Ridge Pike and Conshohocken Road corridors, providing a transportation framework that will spur economic development. A future phase will link the extended roadway to the Pennsylvania Turnpike through a new interchange.

US 422

A number of improvements are underway or planned along US 422 in the vicinity of Pottstown and King of Prussia. Improvements include replacement of several bridges, limited road widening in the corridor, completion of the Trooper Road interchange, and improvements to the PA 23, Sanatoga, and Stowe interchanges.

US 202

US 202 in Pennsylvania is a 59 mile-long roadway 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. The highway varies in size from a two-lane road to a six-lane expressway, with traffic volumes ranging from 17,000 to 105,000 vehicles a day. Some of the fastest growing areas in the Greater Philadelphia region are located along US 202 and many of these areas have experienced rapid residential, commercial, and light industrial growth. A number of projects and studies are currently underway to examine both short-term and long-term improvements in the corridor.

PA 309 Connector

The Sumneytown Pike/PA 309 Connector Project is a highway improvement project along a 5-mile corridor, running east to west through five townships in Montgomery and Bucks Counties, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the project is to provide a direct connection from Sumneytown Pike, just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Lansdale Interchange, to PA 309 in order to relieve existing and projected traffic congestion.

US 1 Freeway (Bucks County)

The US 1 Freeway in Bucks County, between the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Delaware River, will be reconstructed and the portion between the Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 413 will be widened. Improvements will also be made at select interchanges.

US 30 Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass

The US 30 Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass will be reconstructed, and the Airport Road and PA 113 interchanges will be upgraded to full interchanges. A study is being undertaken to identify improvements that will eliminate congestion in the section between PA 113 and PA 340.

Pennsylvania Turnpike and Northeast Extension Widening Projects

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is planning to widen sections of both the mainline turnpike (I-76) and the Northeast Extension (I-476). The mainline turnpike will be widened from two- to three-lanes by direction between the Morgantown and Valley Forge interchanges; the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has begun preliminary design work on this section. The Northeast Extension is currently being widened from two- to three-lanes by direction between the Mid-County and Lansdale interchanges. That work is expected to be completed in late 2016. The next phase will widen the Northeast Extension between the Lansdale and Quakertown interchanges.

Scudder Falls Bridge Improvement Project

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration, has prepared an Environmental Assessment to evaluate potential alternatives and to select a Preferred Alternative that will improve safety and relieve congestion on the Scudder Falls Bridge and along I-95 from PA 332 in Bucks County to Bear Tavern Road in Mercer County. The project is currently in Final Design.

I-295/NJ Route 42 Direct Connect

The I-295, I-76/Route 42 Freeway interchange does not currently provide a direct connection for I-295 through traffic. The existing interchange requires motorists to reduce speed in both directions of I-295 to safely negotiate ramps with 35 mph speed limits. In addition, drivers must also compete with vehicles entering from I-76/Route 42 Freeway, causing dangerous conditions. Construction began in March 2013 and will continue until 2021. The construction will provide a direct link of I-295 through the interchange and includes a total of 10 new bridges, one bridge widening, one bridge rehabilitation, and two temporary bridge structures.

I-295/NJ Route 42 Missing Moves

When I-295 was constructed, movements between northbound I-295 and the eastbound Route 42 Freeway, and the westbound Route 42 Freeway and southbound I-295 were not included. This project consists of new ramps and related improvements to enable motorists to make movements between I-295 and the Route 42 Freeway, which are not possible in the current configuration. Other project improvements include the re-striping of northbound Route 55 from one lane to two lanes from the existing point where Route 55 tapers from two lanes to one lane, up to the tie-in with northbound Route 42 Freeway.

Vaughn Drive Connector

Vaughn Drive will be extended to Princeton-Hightstown Road (CR 571). This project is part of a larger set of improvements to improve traffic flow in the Penns Neck area around US 1.

Route 29 Urban Boulevard

The New Jersey Department of Transportation has completed a study that looks at converting the Route 29 Freeway in downtown Trenton to an urban boulevard to address safety, waterfront connectivity, and urban development issues.

US 322 Widening

US 322 is a major route for shore-bound traffic. This project will widen US 322 between US 130 and the New Jersey Turnpike. This improvement will support the development of Woolwich Town Center.

Transit Projects

Norristown High Speed Line Extension to King of Prussia

SEPTA is currently conducting a study to evaluate increased transit service into the King of Prussia area. The existing Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) currently provides service between the 69th Street Transportation Center and Norristown Transportation Center. A direct rail link to King of Prussia would serve growing travel needs in this area, that are being generated by existing and future economic development opportunities.

Elwyn Line Extension

This project will extend the Media-Elwyn Regional Rail Line to Wawa, near US 1. A large park-and- ride lot at Wawa will serve riders from points south on US 1.

Roosevelt Boulevard Better Bus Improvements

"Better Bus" improvements with express service between carefully selected stops, a designated or prioritized bus lane, and transit signal prioritization will be an achievable, early-action step toward improving mass transit on Roosevelt Boulevard. Such a system would likely feature specially branded, express bus service that would be supported by other treatments like transit signal priority and bus lanes. The appeal of a "Better Bus" system is that it could be launched within five years at a much lower cost than a fixed guideway rail or bus option. DVRPC is presently completing a study of enhanced bus service concepts for Roosevelt Boulevard.

Broad Street Subway Extension to the Navy Yard

Employment at the Navy Yard has surpassed 11,000, and it has grown into a major employment hub in the region. Ultimately, employment is forecast to grow to 30,000 at full build-out. Direct transit service to the Navy Yard is currently limited to a corporate shuttle bus during the week and limited SEPTA bus service on the weekend. A study is underway to assess extending the Broad Street Subway to serve the Navy Yard.

SEPTA Key System

SEPTA will soon be introducing its new fare payment system, SEPTA Key, in phases on the City, Suburban, and Regional Rail systems.

Glassboro-Camden Line

The Glassboro-Camden Line (GCL) is a proposed 18-mile passenger rail line between Glassboro and Camden in southern New Jersey. The GCL corridor traverses Gloucester and Camden counties including the communities of Glassboro, Pitman, Sewell, Mantua Township, Deptford Township, Wenonah, Woodbury Heights, Woodbury, Westville, Brooklawn, Gloucester City, and Camden. The proposed line would restore passenger rail service along the existing rail line from Glassboro to Camden. Using light rail vehicles similar to the NJ TRANSIT RiverLINE, the GCL would offer quick, reliable, frequent service to the communities on the Glassboro to Camden corridor. Connections will be possible in Camden from the GCL to Philadelphia, Trenton, and more distant points in the region via the PATCO Speedline or the NJ TRANSIT RiverLINE.

South Jersey Bus Rapid Transit

The 23‐mile South Jersey Bus Rapid Transit (SJBRT) System will extend from the Avondale Park-and-Ride lot in Winslow Township and travel on the Atlantic City Expressway, Route 42 Freeway, I‐76, and I‐676 to Camden and Philadelphia. A branch of the service will extend from Gloucester County, traveling along Route 55 before joining the other branch of service at the merge of Routes 55 and 42. The SJBRT System will provide express service to the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, and new stops along West Market Street in Center City Philadelphia.

The SJBRT System includes three major park-and-ride lots with approximately 1,600 new parking spaces. These include an expanded Avondale Park and Ride in Winslow Township, and new park-and-ride lots at College Drive in Gloucester Township and at Delsea Drive in Deptford Township. The project also features plans for approximately three miles of shoulder bus lanes, special BRT vehicles, new and upgraded station stops, real‐time bus arrival information, off‐board fare collection, and transit signal priority at select intersections.

US 1 Bus Rapid Transit

The US 1 Corridor has experienced considerable growth and increasing traffic congestion during the past two decades. Presently, trips to major employment centers in the corridor are almost entirely made by automobile since there is limited public transit in the area. However, transit service could be improved by connecting the Princeton Junction and Hamilton train stations to the numerous business parks and other trip generators along the corridor. The proposed system would include several park-and-ride lots. The BRT system also has the potential to support smart growth development around the BRT station stops.

Bike/Pedestrian Projects

The Circuit

The Circuit is a planned 750-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting people to jobs, communities, and parks in the Greater Philadelphia region. To date, more than 300 miles have been built.

Philly Bike Share

A fleet of easy to ride and professionally maintained bikes and a network of docking stations will be deployed in Philadelphia beginning in Spring 2015. The bikes and docking stations will provide a new public transit system that makes it easy to take short trips from station to station on your schedule. Bike share users can access a bike at any station and return it to any other station by using a member card or credit/debit card. At full roll-out, stations will be located from Temple University to the Navy Yard and from the Delaware River to West Philadelphia.