$19M Lafayette St. Extension Opens In Norristown

NORRISTOWN, PA — A vital stretch of Lafayette Street was reopened in Norristown on Friday, marking the completion of the third phase of the Lafayette Street Extension Project.

The massive $19 million effort is considered by county officials to be the largest infrastructure project in Pennsylvania.

The ceremony Friday morning means that Lafayette Street is now open between Ford Street and Conshohocken Road.

Officials are hopeful the project will spur economic development in Norristown and Plymouth Township while connecting downtown Norristown, county government, and the Transportation Center to I-476. It's also aimed at improving local trail and pedestrian connections.

"Who's excited to drive on the fresh road and get to and from Wawa and 476 in half the time?!" county commissioners wrote in a release celebrating the opening.

The three-phase project has thus far involved extended Lafayette Street past Ford Street to Diamond Avenue, widening and improving nearby local roads like Ridge Pike, Fairfield Road, and Diamond Avenue, and reconstructing and widening existing portions of Lafayette Street.

>>PA Turnpike Approves $66 Million Partnership For Lafayette Street Extension

In the future, there are two additional phases planned: a full interchange with the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and a half interchange at U.S. 202 South by the Dannehower Bridge over the Schuylkill River.