Limerick Wins State Honor For Rt. 422 Safety Overhaul

LIMERICK, PA - Limerick Township was honored earlier this year for its decade-long overhaul improvements to the Route 422’s Santoga Interchange, officials said.

The project, alongside two other improvement projects spearheaded by WIlmington Township and Lawrence County respectively, were awarded with Road and Bridge Safety Improvement Awards in April during the Pennsylvania State Association of Town Supervisors’ annual Educational Conference and Exhibit Show in Hershey in April.

Limerick and Pottsgrove’s Route 422 Sanatoga Interchange project, which consists of a new westbound on-ramp to Route 422 and a new off-ramp and roadway and traffic signal improvements, resulted in reduced travel times, less congestion, and an improved quality of life for those who live and work along the corridor, according to a news release.

“They identified a safety concern, and they addressed the safety concern,” said Larry Shifflet, PennDOT deputy secretary for planning, during the award presentation. “The key here is working together and being efficient; they saved nearly $775,000 through their hard work and having a multi-jurisdictional approach.”

Related: Townships Break Ground On U.S. 422 Sanatoga Interchange WB Ramp

For decades, the busy interchange had supported Montgomery County’s road network and facilitates a variety of adjacent residential, commercial, and open space land uses, officials said. But a safety analysis of the interchange found that an uncontrolled left turn from Evergreen Road to Route 422 created a hazard for turning vehicles, and that a new on-ramp would result in less accidents and lowered emissions.

“Road users [will] experience reduced travel times through this section of the corridor, fuel consumption savings, and improved access to jobs, residences, commercial, and recreational destinations,” stated the township’s contest submission.

“With less congestion and reduced fuel consumption, the area will also experience a reduction in vehicle emissions, thereby improving air quality and overall quality of life for both those who live and work along the corridor, as well as pass-through traffic using the facility to get to their destination.”

The project, which broke ground in June 2021, came in around $775,000 under budget and was completed in November 2021 for $2.25 million.

“The Road and Bridge Safety Improvement Awards honor Pennsylvania townships and the great work that you all do with — let’s be honest — limited funds,” PHIA Managing Director Jason Wagner said in a statement. “You have to make difficult choices every day as to how to apply these funds.”