The New I-476 Improvement Project

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is moving forward to complete its four-phase program to improve Interstate 476 in Montgomery and Delaware counties with the start of the final two projects in 2009, which includes the $90 million reconstruction of the northern part of the highway. This multi-million dollar project is partially financed with economic stimulus funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

PennDOT plans to start construction in late summer/early fall 2009 to rebuild 3.5 miles and eight bridges of I-476 between the Pennsylvania Turnpike/Mid-County Interchange and Interstate 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) in Montgomery County. The Phase 4 Reconstruction of this worn stretch of highway is expected to last three years. This part of I-476 was built in the 1970s and is one of the oldest sections of the 21.5 mile-long highway. PennDOT will stage construction to minimize travel disruptions and provide three travel lanes in each direction during most hours of the day.

In March 2009, PennDOT implemented an innovative express lane traffic pattern on northbound I-476 in Montgomery County when it began the first major stage of a $47.4 million project to repair and rehabilitate the 35-year-old twin bridges spanning the Schuylkill River in Plymouth Township and West Conshohocken Borough. As part of the Phase 3 Bridge Improvement project, PennDOT placed one northbound travel lane on the opposite side of the highway within the construction zone to keep three travel lanes open in each direction and to expedite construction. The use of the express lane pattern allows PennDOT to keep six travel lanes open and to accelerate the construction schedule by providing the contractor with a larger area in which to work. PennDOT is rebuilding I-476’s northbound bridge in 2009 and southbound structure in 2010. The entire bridge improvement project is scheduled to finish by November 2011. In addition to the bridge work, new Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) components were installed along I-476 between I-95 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange in 2008 and 2009. The ITS improvements enable PennDOT to respond to real-time traffic activity and alert motorists to use alternative routes in the event of planned construction or incidents.

Previously on I-476, PennDOT performed the Phase 1 Resurfacing project that covered the area from I-95 to Lawrence Road and I-95 in the area of the I-476 interchange in Delaware County. This repair and resurfacing project was completed in 2005. The Phase 2 Resurfacing project completed in 2007, covered I-476 from Lawrence Road to I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) in Delaware and Montgomery counties.

The first two resurfacing projects were preventive maintenance operations designed to preserve the highway and extend its useful life. In addition to milling the existing pavement and resurfacing I-476, PennDOT improved safety and updated roadway features such as guide rails signing, and lane markings.

Click here to view a map of the New I-476 Improvement Project area.

We encourage you to visit this web site often for the most up-to-date information about the three projects. 

If you would like to speak with someone directly about the I-476 Improvement Project, please contact the following: