The New I-476 Improvement Project

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is moving forward to start the final two projects that are part of its four-phase program to upgrade and improve its portion of I-476 between I-95 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) in Delaware and Montgomery counties. Collectively known as the New I-476 Improvement Project, this work will prolong the life of I-476 and improve overall ride quality.

The original I-476 Improvement Project consisted of three projects which included the resurfacing of two sections of I-476 and a major reconstruction of the highway. The Phase 1 Resurfacing project covered I-476 from I-95 to Lawrence Road and I-95 in the area of the I-476 interchange and was completed in 2005. The Phase 2 Resurfacing project, completed in 2007, covered I-476 from Lawrence Road to I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway).

Phase 1 and Phase 2 were preventive maintenance operations designed to extend the highway’s useful life and were recently completed. 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. The former Phase 3 Reconstruction involved the reconstruction of I-476 from I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) and was scheduled to begin in 2007.

In March 2007 the Improvement Project was redefined in order to take advantage of federal funding available for the repair of high priority facilities. The New I-476 Improvement Project includes the Phase 3 Schuylkill River Bridge project and the Phase 4 Reconstruction Completion project.

Phase 3 involves early action repairs to the I-476 bridge over the Schuylkill River followed by the complete rehabilitation of the bridge. The Schuylkill River Bridge spans the Schuylkill River along I-476 between West Conshohocken Borough and Plymouth Township. Early action repairs were completed in late 2007. The bridge rehabilitation work will begin in 2009 and finish in 2010. In addition to the work on the bridge, upgrades to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) will be installed along I-476 between I-95 and I-276 and traffic signal improvements will be installed at Matsonford Road in 2008. The ITS improvements will enable PennDOT to respond to real time traffic activity and alert motorists to use alternative routes in the event of planned construction or incidents.

Phase 4 Reconstruction Completion will reconstruct I-476 from I-76 to I-276 and rehabilitate eight bridges along the highway. This section of I-476 was built in the 1970s and is one of the older sections of the 21.5 mile-long highway. The Phase 4 project will begin in 2011 and take three years to complete.  As with work conducted for the first two projects along I-476, Phase 3 and Phase 4 work will be phased and carefully staged to minimize disruptions to motorists and neighboring residents and businesses.

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: