In Norristown, Gov. Wolf Announces $550 Million In Funding For Area Transportation Projects

NORRISTOWN, PA — Speaking just off of Lafayette Street in Norristown, where $95 million has been poured into a new turnpike exit that aims to revitalize the area, Gov. Wolf and state officials announced new transportation funding for projects in the greater Philadelphia area.

Officials said that more than $550 million would be spent on highway and bridge improvements in the Philadelphia area, including Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties, throughout 2017.

“The funding allocated for these projects not only reduces the backlog of Pennsylvania’s pavement and bridge demands, but significantly improves the growing need for better mobility and safety on our roadways,” Governor Wolf said. “This major investment in our infrastructure that will greatly improve our vast transportation network, enhance local communities and generate more robust economies across the state.”

The projects include 235 miles of highway paving and repairs to 33 bridges in the region.

In Montgomery County, 22 projects are already underway right now, and another 11 are anticipated to begin before the year ends.

Work in Norristown is centered on the Lafayette Street interchange project, which has received millions to fund work through 2024. The new interchange will be a full on/off connection located between the existing Valley Forge and Norristown exits, and will be designed to utilize the Turnpike’s cashless tolling system.

Other Montgomery County projects include:

• Replacing the bridge on Ashmead Road over Tacony Creek in Cheltenham
• Replacing the bridges on PA Route 63 over Unami and Perkiomen creeks in Upper and Lower Salford
• Improving the "5 Points Intersection" on PA Route 309 in Montgomeryville
• Continuing the Lafayette Street widening project in Norristown
• Improving traffic signals on Markley Street in Norristown
• Working on traffic management on 1-76 and Route 202
• Reconstructing portions of Route 422
• Resurfacing U.S. Route 422 between Royersford and Sanatoga
• Restoring I-76 from the turnpike to City Line Avenue

Image via PennDOT