Montco study looks at Rt. 422 congestion

KING OF PRUSSIA Transportation planners have completed a $200,000 study for the state Department of Transportation to determine ways to reduce congestion and improve air quality along Route 422.

The 422 corridor from King of Prussia northwest into Berks County can slow to a crawl during rush hours. A widening project is underway, but the new study recommends reducing demand in addition to adding capacity.

In the short term, researchers urged greater cooperation among municipalities, and ride-sharing incentives for commuters; in the medium term, improvements to public transit and bicycle routes; in the long term, statewide projects such as rail extension to King of Prussia, shared parking facilities, and ordinances aimed at reducing the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road.

The full study, done jointly by Temple University's Center for Sustainable Communities and the Greater Valley Forge (GVF) Transportation Management Association, can be viewed online at http://www.gvftma.com/news/?id=1003.

"Research is a critical component if we are to implement new initiatives to improve the Route 422 corridor," Rob Henry, GVF executive director, said in a statement. - Jessica Parks