PennDOT began final design in July 2000 and is acquiring property to widen most of this section of US 202 to five lanes. Construction is expected to start in 2006. The project will be built in four sections: Johnson Highway to Swede Road; Swede Road to Morris Road; Morris Road to PA 63; PA 63 to PA 309. Construction is estimated to cost $80 million and finish in 2010.

For the project design, PennDOT split the project into two sections: Johnson Highway to Morris Road (Section 610 – designed by URS), and Morris Road to PA 309 (Section 650 – designed by Parsons Brinkerhoff). Each design section will be split into two construction sections.

PennDOT began a $4 million Environmental Impact Study (EIS)/Preliminary Engineering in December 1990 to examine various improvement alternatives on this section, including widening US 202 to five lanes; widening selected areas of US 202 to five lanes, and incorporating a Transportation System Management Plan. A Congestion Management Study (CMS) was completed to examine methods for reducing traffic congestion aside from widening US 202. Several strategies were developed as candidate projects to reduce congestion along this section, including adding bicycle lanes, transit enhancements, ride sharing programs and computerized signal systems. A Historic Structures Eligibility Report identified 13 sites and districts were eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The consultant was Parsons Brinkerhoff of Philadelphia.

In 1998, PennDOT circulated the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that identified the Selective Widening Alternative as the Preferred Alternative. PennDOT held a Public Hearing on Nov. 18, 1998 at the Pennbrook Middle School in North Wales. About 120 people attended; 30 people presented oral testimony at the hearing. There were numerous comments on the need for the project, concern over the inclusion of bicycle lanes and the impact on value of properties near US 202. The public review period ended December 11, 1998.

On March 27, 2000, PennDOT received a Record of Decision (ROD) from the FHWA to build the Selective Widening alternative.

After reviewing the Public Hearing transcript and comments on the DEIS, PennDOT revised the document, addressed the comments, and circulated the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for public review in September 1999.

PennDOT to Circulate Final Environmental Report for U.S. Route 202, Section 600

The U.S. Route 202, Section 600 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be available for public review and comment starting on September 10.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will distribute approximately 175 copies of the Final EIS to communities along route 202, local officials, and environmental review agencies. In addition, copies will be available at community libraries and other public facilities. Public comments on the Final EIS will be accepted until October 11. Citizens can forward their comments to:

Mr. Randy Wanger, P.E.
Project Manager
PennDOT Engineering District 6-0
200 Radnor-Chester Road
St. Davids, PA 19087

PennDOT expects to receive the Record of Decision in February on the preferred alternative for improving this section of Route 202 between Norristown and Montgomeryville in Montgomery County.

Over 100 comments were received regarding this project since the circulation of the Draft EIS last October, the official start of the public comment period. All correspondence PennDOT received on the Draft EIS during the public comment period and at the public hearing will be published in the Final EIS. All substantive comments have been thoroughly reviewed, responses have been prepared and, where appropriate, additional information has been incorporated into the Final EIS.

Copies of the Final EIS will be available during regular business hours at the following locations: