I-95 reconstruction (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown: houses, subdivisions, cost)

[Craziaskowboi]

I'd been looking through a list of major PennDOT construction projects, and I found out about the reconstruction of I-95. When did they start this project? How far along is it? Is the work they're doing mostly at the interchanges right now, or along the main line? Is traffic a headache?

It's good to see that PennDOT is improving the design of some of the highways in and around Philadelphia. There seems to be a lot of stuff going on over there, between I-95, I-476, U.S. 202, PA 309 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plus that giant interchange where the Turnpike intersects I-95.

They must be getting all the rest of the highways in the area reconstructed before they undertake a modernization of the Schuylkill Expressway, I imagine. Doing that would be very expensive, but it's very necessary and long overdue. Hopefully they modernize I-376 through Pittsburgh as well.

[Angus215]

It's amazing that when they originally build the highways, they didn't include an interchange b/w 95 and the PA Turnpike. the work on 309 is just about done. the new Rt 202 bypass is interesting because they literally added a new road right through the middle of a highly developed suburban area. some segments are almost done but it will be a while until it connects a the way to Doylestown. I-476 is a mess but the expansion is badly needed.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by Angus215

It's amazing that when they originally build the highways, they didn't include an interchange b/w 95 and the PA Turnpike. the work on 309 is just about done. the new Rt 202 bypass is interesting because they literally added a new road right through the middle of a highly developed suburban area. some segments are almost done but it will be a while until it connects a the way to Doylestown. I-476 is a mess but the expansion is badly needed.

The right-of-way for the 202 bypass has been there for years. The highway should have been built 40 years ago, prior to the growth. Now, even though people should have known that the bypass was coming, they have to deal with getting used to a roadway in their backyard. Too bad the 202 bypass isn't going to be an actually expressway like originally planned. I wonder if any other region besides our's would tolerate such visionless leaders and poor infrastructure.

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

The right-of-way for the 202 bypass has been there for years. The highway should have been built 40 years ago, prior to the growth. Now, even though people should have known that the bypass was coming, they have to deal with getting used to a roadway in their backyard. Too bad the 202 bypass isn't going to be an actually expressway like originally planned. I wonder if any other region besides our's would tolerate such visionless leaders and poor infrastructure.

the lack of vision in the philadelphia area is actually pretty amazing. the city itself only has 2 major highways that access it - 95 and 76. 76 serves all of the west/northwest suburbs, yet is only 2 lanes in each direction for a good portion. that's just CRAZY. there should have been another highway added LONG AGO (ie. a continuation of the Ft Washington expressway). now it's probably too late.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by Angus215

the lack of vision in the philadelphia area is actually pretty amazing. the city itself only has 2 major highways that access it - 95 and 76. 76 serves all of the west/northwest suburbs, yet is only 2 lanes in each direction for a good portion. that's just CRAZY. there should have been another highway added LONG AGO (ie. a continuation of the Ft Washington expressway). now it's probably too late.

Yes, the highway infrastructure for a metro area of our size is admittedly underwhelming, but there is very little opportunity for expansion now, given huge expense as well as widespread NIMBYism -- which I can sympathize with.

At any rate, building more highway infrastructure is really an outdated mentality. We need to focus on improving existing infrastructure and revitalizing our public transportation system, which is a much more sustainable way of alleviating congestion.

[OptimusPrime69]

When i was in philly, I thought the same thing. . This Schuykill express or whatever is quite literally pathetic.
It's a goofy, old, 2 laned in each direction highway and that is chronically jammed. . Even at the interchange at 476 is like a quagmire of crap. .

They did add a new on/off exit ramp near king of prussia, but shoot, that highway needs to be straight up torn down and started over again....like 4 lanes in each directions, with nice big on and off ramps with 2 left lanes and 2 right lanes on each exit ramp...

in florida, they got nice highways, well planned, big, and just new and nice. I love them.

[BirchBarlow]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

The right-of-way for the 202 bypass has been there for years. The highway should have been built 40 years ago, prior to the growth. Now, even though people should have known that the bypass was coming, they have to deal with getting used to a roadway in their backyard. Too bad the 202 bypass isn't going to be an actually expressway like originally planned. I wonder if any other region besides our's would tolerate such visionless leaders and poor infrastructure.

You know what the reason for it was? They couldn't get the funding, or so they said. Amazing isn't it? Somehow they always manage to find the funding for every highway to nowhere, every bridge to nowhere, every empty airport to nowhere, every empty train to nowhere, and any other pork barrel project you could possibly think of. Yet when it comes to a highway that was planned decades ago, for which they've already acquired the ROW, a badly needed highway that would actually alleviate people's commutes, they can't find the money? You know somewhere, someone's profiteering from this, it's the only explanation.

Anyway while we're on the subject I have to say out of all the major metropolitan areas, Philadelphia probably has the worst highway infrastructure. I mean what a disgrace. Here's what the highways were originally supposed to look like...

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

When i was in philly, I thought the same thing. . This Schuykill express or whatever is quite literally pathetic.
It's a goofy, old, 2 laned in each direction highway and that is chronically jammed. . Even at the interchange at 476 is like a quagmire of crap. .

They did add a new on/off exit ramp near king of prussia, but shoot, that highway needs to be straight up torn down and started over again....like 4 lanes in each directions, with nice big on and off ramps with 2 left lanes and 2 right lanes on each exit ramp...

in florida, they got nice highways, well planned, big, and just new and nice. I love them.

The Schuylkill Expressway was literally built before the advent of the Interstate Highway System, so in some ways I guess it doesn't pay to be a pioneer. The sticking points on its expansion are cost and right-of-way, and they're both related.

The right-of-way is severely constricted between South Street and I-676, and also in two areas near the "Conshohocken Curve," where houses are built along the river itself, and some suburban subdivisions are built right up to the edge of the highway.

In order to build an eight-lane highway between South Street and I-676, there are literally only two choices: 1) build the westbound lanes over the Schuylkill River, or 2) burrow the eastbound lanes under several large buildings.

Up near the Conshohocken Curve, you'll have to use eminent domain to shut down a few residential streets. Doing all this stuff would involve much more preparatory work and red tape in advance of the actual highway reconstruction, so you can see how the cost would become very expensive.

Philadelphia might need a "Big Dig" of its own, or even two if they plan to burrow the segment of I-95 next to downtown Philadelphia.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by Angus215

It's amazing that when they originally build the highways, they didn't include an interchange b/w 95 and the PA Turnpike. the work on 309 is just about done. the new Rt 202 bypass is interesting because they literally added a new road right through the middle of a highly developed suburban area. some segments are almost done but it will be a while until it connects a the way to Doylestown. I-476 is a mess but the expansion is badly needed.

Back when the Pennsylvania Turnpike was first built, there were no direct connections with any Interstates, but that problem is slowly being rectified. They built direct connections with I-76 (the Schuylkill Expressway) and I-476 about 20 years ago, and with I-79 near Pittsburgh 10 years ago.

Apparently, I-83 and I-283 in Harrisburg, and I-176 near Reading, all have direct connections as well, although I'm not sure when they were built. I-376 in Pittsburgh has a direct connection too, although it wouldn't surprise me if they expand its capacity in the future.

That leaves five junctions left to build direct connections: I-70 at both New Stanton and Breezewood, I-99 at Bedford, I-81 at Carlisle, and I-95 near Philadelphia. (We can also blame the NIMBYers in New Jersey for I-95 needing to be rerouted through the Philadelphia area.)

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

Back when the Pennsylvania Turnpike was first built, there were no direct connections with any Interstates, but that problem is slowly being rectified. They built direct connections with I-76 (the Schuylkill Expressway) and I-476 about 20 years ago, and with I-79 near Pittsburgh 10 years ago.

Apparently, I-83 and I-283 in Harrisburg, and I-176 near Reading, all have direct connections as well, although I'm not sure when they were built. I-376 in Pittsburgh has a direct connection too, although it wouldn't surprise me if they expand its capacity in the future.

That leaves five junctions left to build direct connections: I-70 at both New Stanton and Breezewood, I-99 at Bedford, I-81 at Carlisle, and I-95 near Philadelphia. (We can also blame the NIMBYers in New Jersey for I-95 needing to be rerouted through the Philadelphia area.)

220 (a highway between Reading and Lancaster does not truly have a direct link but is ok

Another glaring one is I78 on the NE Extension of the Turnpike in Allentown - you need to either go to the Quakertown exit or to 22 to gain access to 476 or the NE Turnpike Extension here

also access to 422 and 202 closer to Great Valley would also be beneficial for the turnpike between KOP and Exton