422plus PROJECT REPORT RELEASED
Posted on | October 4, 2011 |
The US 422 corridor has experienced tremendous growth—from 1990 to 2000, the population of many communities within the corridor increased at double and even triple-digit rates. Without significant improvements, traffic in the area will only get worse. But while the population of drivers is growing, and construction costs are going up, money for improving roads like US 422 has been shrinking. Although gas taxes helped pay for building US 422 in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, current revenue from gas taxes is not enough to pay for the full cost of maintaining and improving the road.
With no other funding source in sight, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) – in partnership with PennDOT, SEPTA, and Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties – sponsored the 422plus Project to answer the question:
- Could tolling 25 miles of 422 pay for improving the 422 corridor, improving impacted local roads, and re-establishing passenger rail from Norristown to Reading/Wyomissing?
The answer is yes – a modest toll managed by a local authority could pay for these improvements, and have them in place far faster than waiting for available funds from Harrisburg or Washington.
However, public and political sentiment told us that people would rather see a comprehensive statewide solution than a local toll. Governor Corbett’s Transportation Funding and Advisory Commission (see www.tfac.pa.gov) has proposed a comprehensive package to increase funding for transportation infrastructure across Pennsylvania. Support and passage of this package will enable critical transportation improvements to proceed, without a toll.
We encourage you to review the findings of the 422plus Project report, as well as the TFAC recommendations, and let us know your thoughts on how best to proceed in the 422 corridor. Please email us your ideas about the critical needs along 422 and alternate funding ideas at team@422corridor.com.
Click here to download 422plus – Synopsis and Findings (PDF)
Click here to download 422plus – Appendix A: Tolling US 422: Traffic and Revenue Forecasts (PDF)
Click here to download 422plus – Appendix C: Transit Component Report (PDF)
Click here to download 422plus – Appendix E: The 422plus Public Outreach Program (PDF)
Click here to download 422plus – Appendix F: Summary of Previous Transportation Studies (PDF)
Click here to download 422plus – Appendix G: Supplemental Exhibits 01 – 13 (PDF)
Click here to download 422plus – Appendix G: Supplemental Exhibits 14 – 22 (PDF)
Click here to download 422plus – Appendix G: Supplemental Exhibits 23 – 25 (PDF)
Click here to download 422plus – Appendix G: Supplemental Exhibits 26 – 34 (PDF)
