Considering the Benefits of King of Prussia Rail
This holiday season, if you find yourself dreading the trip to King of Prussia, the future may hold a traffic-free way to get to those deals: by train. SEPTA’s proposed train extension to King of Prussia promises to strengthen the connection between this suburban job and retail center and the rest of the region. At our December 3 World Class Infrastructure Forum Connecting with the King, the Economy League will release a new report detailing the local impact of this significant transportation investment.
Home to 4.4 million square feet of retail space, 17 million square feet of office, industrial, and flex space, and approximately 50,000 jobs, King of Prussia is the largest employment center in our region outside of Philadelphia. Its many existing assets and strong investment pipeline point to a bright future, but vehicular congestion and limited transportation choices present obstacles to sustained growth for the area. The vast majority of commuters to King of Prussia drive to work, with 60% of drivers traveling more than 30 minutes and 30% traveling for 45 minutes or more. Commute times are unreliable and dependent upon travel conditions along Interstates 76 and 476 and Routes 202 and 422, all of which experience high congestion during peak travel times.
Enhancing transit access in King of Prussia would result in a variety of benefits. The rail connection would reduce commute times, increase travel reliability, and enable employers to access a larger labor market pool. These benefits would accrue to both new and existing transit riders as well as drivers, who would experience less congestion on the road. The rail extension would also allow transit-dependent residents in Norristown and Upper Darby to more easily access jobs in King Prussia.
The Benefits of the King of Prussia Rail Extension
It’s no secret that much of our existing transportation infrastructure is old and in need of investment. However, while SEPTA and transportation officials work to address the considerable backlog of deferred maintenance and repair facing many of our roads, bridges, and transit assets, we also have to keep an eye on the future and lay the groundwork for strategic expansion that aligns our transportation system with 21st century needs.
Advancing a project of the scale and cost of King of Prussia Rail will require sustained collaboration and dialogue within the business and civic communities. The Economy League is committed to helping facilitate this conversation. Join us and a panel of local leaders on December 3 to learn about the potential impacts of the King of Prussia Rail Project on jobs, development, and economic growth in the region.