PennDOT and SEPTA are joining forces for what many people in the northwest suburbs believe is long overdue: a $125 million project to reduce traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway, writes Claire Sasko for Philadelphia Magazine.

The two transportation agencies will address multiple means of travel – the expressway, SEPTA’s Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail Line, and the Schuylkill River Trail – in order to pare the congestion along the 12 miles of I-76 that runs from Philadelphia to King of Prussia.

Initial construction is slated to kick off in late 2017.

PennDOT will employ a number of suggestions from a feasibility study, including:

• Ramp Metering: Red and green traffic signals to control the frequency with which vehicles enter the flow of traffic from entrance ramps.
• Junction Control: The use of overhead electronic signs over travel lanes to regulate or close lanes at merge areas to improve traffic flow at high volume interchanges.
• Dynamic Lane Assignments: Overhead electronic signs provide information for each travel lane on the expressway to identify open lanes and alert drivers of upcoming lane closures.
• Multi-Modal Enhancements: Utilize various modes of travel (automobile, public transit, bicycle, walking) and take advantage of viable transportation options along the I-76 corridor, including the Schuylkill River Trail and other nearby trails.

Click here to read more about PennDOT and SEPTA’s partnership in Philadelphia Magazine.