Ramp Meters Go in Effect on 476 in Plymouth Tomorrow

According to PennDOT, ramp meters at the four entrance ramps to Interstate 476 (Blue Route) in Plymouth Township will begin operation on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 3 p.m.

The meters will be operating at:

• Chemical Road on-ramp to I-476 South
• Westbound Ridge Pike on-ramp to I-476 South
• Eastbound Ridge Pike on-ramp to I-476 South
• Eastbound Ridge Pike on-ramp to I-476 North.

The ramp meters are traffic signals without the amber caution light and will be in operation Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. They can also be used during emergency situations.

According to PennDOT, the ramp meters stagger the "rate at which vehicles enter I-476 so that merging vehicles are less likely to slow mainline traffic, thus improving travel times and lessening the potential for crashes at entrance ramps."

Similar to a traffic signal, when the light is red, the driver must stop and when the light is green the driver can go. However, unlike a traffic signal, only one driver per lane can merge on a free light.

A yellow flashing light will warn drivers when ramp meters are operating on an entrance ramp. 

Disregarding a ramp meter is a punishable offense that carries the same penalties as running a red light.