422 Toll Proposal Wins Some PA Commission Backers

HARRISBURG PA – A proposal to bring tolls to U.S. Route 422 between King of Prussia and Reading was unveiled Monday (June 6, 2011) before Gov. Tom Corbett’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission and, possibly to the consternation of local opponents, won praise from several public officials, The Pennsylvania Independent online news service reported.

“This is a model for tolling. This is definitely state of the art,” Commission Chairman and state Secretary of Transportation Barry Schoch told his colleagues. No commission member voiced opposition to the 422 proposal, The Independent noted.

“The 42-member commission in August is expected to provide Corbett with funding proposals for the state’s decaying transportation infrastructure, which the state has said requires an additional $3.5 billion annually to be restored and maintained,” The Independent said. The 422 tolling plan was presented as an idea that could be enabled statewide, so other local governments could do similar projects.

Related (to U.S. Route 422 Corridor planning):

Photo from The Independent

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16 Responses to “422 Toll Proposal Wins Some PA Commission Backers”

  1. Local resident says:

    I strongly object to tolling 422. I live along one of the main roads that runs parallel to 422 and know traffic will become worse on these secondary roads because of people avoiding having to pay tolls for the 422. Another possible effect from that would be my taxes being raised for repairer of the secondary roads that will see an increase in traffic volume.

    • Joe Zlomek says:

      You’re among many people from whom we’ve heard, both by e-mail and accompany comments, who feel the same way. Thanks for making your thoughts known, ad for reading The Post!

      Joe Zlomek, Managing Editor

  2. Jeff Leflar says:

    What a disgrace. This will have the effect of channeling a lot of traffic on to the side roads. Then we will have gridlock on the side roads AND the highway at rush hour. Who wants to pay tolls to sit in a parking lot every morning and afternoon? Just another tax and spend boondoggle.

    • Joe Zlomek says:

      I can report with confidence, Jeff, that folks promoting the concept 1) definitely believe it will relieve 422′s gridlock; 2) are sure it will eliminate the morning and afternoon “parking lots”; and 3) claim it is neither a tax-and-spend proposition or a boondoggle. Whether they’re right or not, I honestly can’t say. I do know this ball is rolling fast and – now that it’s being talked about at the state commission level – is sure to pick up even more speed. Thanks for taking time to comment!

  3. linus says:

    the toll move makes a lot of sense. the road is a joke and with the new money it will be expanded for sure. within 7 years we will have a 8 lane super highway to king of prussia. the local roads will get jammed up but it will be worth it in the long run.

    • Joe Zlomek says:

      Linus, you’re among the few from whom we’ve heard who favor the proposal. There are others, I’m sure, but far fewer are speaking up compared to the opponents. Thanks very much for making your thoughts known, and for reading The Post.

  4. linus says:

    Now.. Here is a real road problem. The new plans for the Sanatoga Gateway show a massive build out which includes apartment buildings lateral to the costco and behind another mall soon to be built. The plans approved by limerick show 1 road off of lightcap for all of these residents and the store goers. Nightmare and unsafe, but what do they know. Where have you gone, code enforcement officer?

    • Joe Zlomek says:

      Linus, I know both Limerick and the state have already discussed plans for feeder and relief roads to and from the outlets that would parallel 422 and resolve the congestion you predict for West Lightcap, and by extension, Evergreen. They haven’t been promoted much, in part because their construction relies on the result of whatever the 422 tolling decision is (or isn’t) and the accompanying funds (or lack thereof) it generates. Talking the plans up now is somewhat akin to putting the cart before the horse. They do exist, at least in the discussion stage.

  5. EJCox says:

    Wonder if we residents who already pay for this roadway in taxes and fees have any say as to whether it gets trolled or not.

    Wake up people; another way to milk more of your money out of your wallets. Remember we already pay for this roadway, and all these machines and systems and people to troll the road will cost money, and you will pay for it.

    Wonder if anyone asked the businesses along 422 for their input and what the impact of decreased traffic will have on them?

    Speak up and let your reps know that you oppose this …

    Troll Route 309, 76, 202, and Route 1 first.

    • Joe Zlomek says:

      Ed, you may be surprised to learn that businesses large and small among 422 have been surveyed about tolling the roadway, and even more surprised to know many of them favor it. Reasons: 1) 422′s current gridlock makes it difficult for them to get goods in and ship products out. 2) They also say the gridlock now makes it unappealing for future employees to buy a home in western Montgomery County because of the amount of time commuters must sit on 422. 3) They don’t believe 422 traffic will decrease. They expect it will increase, because the ride will become smoother.

      The business perspective is much different than the one you hold. That’s neither good or bad … it just is.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. [...] 422 Toll Proposal Wins Some PA Commission Backers Proponents of a plan to establish electronic tolls on U.S. Route 422, through Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove and Pottstown, appeared to make headway Monday with a 42-member state commission. [...]

  2. [...] 422 Toll Proposal Wins Some PA Commission Backers [...]

  3. [...] 422 Toll Proposal Wins Some PA Commission Backers [...]

  4. [...] 422 Toll Proposal Wins Some PA Commission Backers Proponents of a plan to establish electronic tolls on U.S. Route 422, through Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove and Pottstown, appeared to make headway Monday with a 42-member state commission. [...]

  5. [...] 422 Toll Proposal Wins Some PA Commission Backers Proponents of a plan to establish electronic tolls on U.S. Route 422, through Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove and Pottstown, appeared to make headway Monday with a 42-member state commission. [...]

  6. [...] 422 Toll Proposal Wins Some PA Commission Backers Proponents of a plan to establish electronic tolls on U.S. Route 422, through Pottstown, Lower Pottsgrove and Limerick, appeared to make headway Monday with a 42-member state commission. [...]


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