SEPTA’s King of Prussia rail line project has advanced toward the final design phase. This project, which will connect the Philadelphia region’s three major job centers, should also reduce commute traffic on I-76.
When completed, SEPTA estimates that it will connect King of Prussia, Center City and University City in 45 minutes. However, commuters who use the extended Norristown High Speed Line to travel to Philadelphia must transfer at the 60th Street Station in Upper Darby. The line starts on Henderson Road, behind the Henderson Square Shopping Center and goes west. Two stops serve the King of Prussia Mall at Allendale Road and Mall Boulevard. Finally, there will be two more stops along First Street, at American Avenue and Moore Road. This will provide access to several business parks as well as the Valley Forge Casino Resort.
SEPTA’s board approved the acquisitions of around 70 properties, which will enable the agency to extend the existing Norristown High Speed Line an additional four miles into King of Prussia. This extension will include five new rail stations, and is expected to cost $2.1 billion overall. SEPTA is seeking funds from the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts Program, which will offset up to 50 percent of the costs.
The project is expected to increase existing property values by around $2.5 billion across the region. It will enable 5.3 million square feet of new development, and add an estimated 8,000 permanent jobs. Furthermore, it should reduce pollution and I-76 congestion by getting commuters off the road and onto the rail line.
At this time, SEPTA has received the final environmental impact report and is currently preparing a 20-year funding plan. The agency is finalizing and reviewing other project development supporting documentation, which includes a draft financial plan and evaluations of the various project delivery methods. There is currently no publicly available estimated end date.
Contact us if you have more questions about the project, any questions about the eminent domain process and/or if you want a personalized map of how your property may be impacted.