Officials celebrate completion of Route 422 bridge
WEST NORRITON» With the new Route 422 bridge in the background, state Sen. John Rafferty, R-44th Dist., and PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards hosted a “minicelebration” under sunny skies in Betzwood Friday for the $97million structure that began construction 1½ years ago and will soon be put into service.
The construction was made possible through funding furnished by Act 89, Richards told the crowd.
“We all knew what this transportation bill would mean to this area and to those drivers who are sitting on 422 on a daily basis. Sen. Rafferty and I have been working very well together to make sure we deliver on the promise of Act 89. A big part of that promise is what you see behind us today,” said Richards, who was joined for the event by U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-7th Dist.; Valley Forge National Historical Park Superintendent Steve Sims; state Rep. Tim Briggs, D-149th Dist.; former state Rep Mike Vereb and others. “We’re really pleased for this major step forward in our effort to reconstruct and improve a very heavily traveled portion of U.S. 422 in Valley Forge, including the bridge we are standing in front of this morning. We know what a positive impact it will have in Valley Forge. Today we’re excited to announce that by the end of the year westbound 422 traffic will be riding on the new expanded bridge spanning the Schuylkill River separating West Norriton and Upper Merion townships.”
The bridge is one of several that PennDOT is currently rebuilding and widening to improve travel and reduce congestion between Valley Forge Road and Trooper Road, Richards explained, adding that when completed in three years, the new bridges will double the width of the old structure and accommodate eight travel lanes.
When initially open, the new bridges will carry six travel lanes, Richards noted.
“The progress being made on the $97.4 million project is certainly good news for the 90,000 plus drivers who drive on this highway every single day. Even with our mini-celebration here today, we still realize there is a lot left to do on this project,” she said. “We ask our fellow 422 drivers to bear with us as we work to improve your commute along this key artery in Southeast Pennsylvania.”
Richards said a study has begun that will examine the feasibility of allowing drivers to use the shoulders of the road during certain times of day.
“This is the transportation infrastructure that gives the Philadelphia region its special opportunity to carve its niche in the global economy and the ability to continue to enhance what is critical to the growth and development of jobs in our region,” Meehan said.
Rafferty noted the bipartisan effort that had continued to strengthen Act 89 over the years.