Hearings set on $5.5 billion in road, rail projects

The future of the region's proposed highway and transit projects is the focus of public hearings this month in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill.

At stake are nearly 500 projects and $5.5 billion for transportation improvements in the nine-county region, ranging from reconstruction of the interchange at Routes 295, 42, and I-76 (considered the area's busiest) to expansion of rail service on both sides of the Delaware River.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, which funnels federal dollars into the Philadelphia region, wants public comment as it sets priorities for the next four years.

The projects, detailed in the agency's Transportation Improvement Programs, are available online at

» READ MORE: http://go.philly.com/dvrpcplans

and at local libraries.

The meetings will be held Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the DVRPC Conference Center, 190 N. Independence Mall West in Philadelphia, and on May 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Cherry Hill Public Library, 1100 Kings Highway North.

- Paul Nussbaum