Up for public discussion next week is a long term plan, slated to begin by 2020, that will widen the Pennsylvania Turnpike to six lanes between Morgantown and Downingtown.

At this time, the project cannot move forward until several overpasses and bridges are replaced on a 14-mile project in Chester and Berks counties, with this work planned to commence in 2018. The project, which will completely rebuild the highway, is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, with a total estimated cost of between $400 and $450 million.

The entire construction proposal is intended to be financed entirely from toll revenues, and as a result, it is projected that Turnpike tolls will increase 3% to 6% annually until 2044 to cover the cost. The next increase is already expected in January when all tolls will go up by six percent for cash customers and those with an E-ZPass.

In addition, the Turnpike Commission is going ahead with its plans to reconstruct and widen a 14-mile part of the turnpike between Downingtown and Valley Forge, connecting it with the part of the highway east of Valley Forge that is already six lanes wide. Initial construction on this project could begin as early as 2017 and provided there are no hiccups, should be completed by 2022.

The completion of both projects that will stretch a total of 28 miles will ensure that the entire journey, from Morgantown to suburban Philadelphia, consists of six lanes.

“This is part of the bigger picture to reconstruct and widen the entire turnpike,” said Renee Vid Colborn, the spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. However, no time frame has yet been set for the widening of the stretch of turnpike through Lancaster County.

So far, the Commission has already completed 115 miles of the 552 mile system, and successfully widened each section to six lanes slowly creating a super route through the region.