PA Turnpike to Expand Valley Forge Interchange

C O M M I S S I O N N E W S R E L E A S E

Contact: Kay Jenkins Rew, (610) 279-1645	February 15, 2000
CONTRACT AWARDED: PA TURNPIKE TO EXPAND THE VALLEY FORGE INTERCHANGE Philadelphia, PA – The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today announced that the expansion of the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit # 24) will begin in early March. Neshaminy Contractors, Inc. of Feasterville, Pennsylvania was awarded the $6.5 million contract that includes the addition of four lanes at the interchange that originally opened to traffic in November 1950. At that time, the Turnpike began west of Harrisburg at the Carlisle Interchange, with the eastern terminus at the Valley Forge Interchange. By 1954, the Delaware River Extension from Valley Forge to the Delaware River Interchange opened to motorists, and by the fall of 1956, the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Turnpikes connected via the Delaware River Bridge. Turnpike Executive Director John T. Durbin said, "The Valley Forge/King of Prussia area continues to grow by leaps and bounds and we plan to offer our customers more lanes in which to enter and exit the Turnpike." Well over 50,000 vehicles use the Valley Forge Interchange daily, making the interchange the third busiest on the entire Turnpike system. Currently, there are four entry and nine exit lanes at the interchange which will continue to be available to motorists throughout construction. In addition to creating new entrance and exit lanes, the project includes erecting five new tollbooths (the fifth booth will replace an outdated reversible toll structure), new concrete in the entire toll plaza area, electronic toll installation, and work on some sign structures. Construction is scheduled for completion in mid-November of this year. "The expansion of the Valley Forge Interchange is but one of the many steps the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is taking to help relieve traffic congestion in the Philadelphia region. Customer convenience has always been, and always will be our top priority," Durbin concluded.

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P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676 Phone: (717) 939-9551 Fax: (717) 986-9649