MacDade Blvd – I-476 Interchange Honored as Outstanding Project

The MacDade Boulevard and Interstate 476 interchange in Springfield has been named the 2026 Outstanding Project by the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (Delco PSPE). This prestigious award recognizes significant engineering contributions to Delaware and southern Chester counties in Pennsylvania.

Each year, Delco PSPE evaluates projects based on criteria such as social impact, economic benefits, sustainability, innovation, and complexity. The MacDade Boulevard/I-476 interchange, which was originally completed in 1992, has recently undergone enhancements as part of a broader project aimed at improving travel safety and efficiency on the I-476 corridor.

The interchange currently accommodates over 30,000 vehicles daily, reflecting its critical role in regional transportation. The project, executed by General Contractor Allan Myers Inc., was completed 615 days ahead of schedule and came in at a total construction cost of $19.1 million.

Key improvements from the project include:

– Reconfiguration of the interchange ramps, which involved removing an old off-ramp to eliminate an unsafe merge onto MacDade Boulevard.
– Addition of a new travel lane on northbound I-476 at both the MacDade interchange and the Route 1 interchange, significantly enhancing traffic flow during peak hours.
– Construction of a new pedestrian bridge to replace an outdated and unsafe caged structure.

The project manager, Bill Laird, of HDR Engineering Inc., led the design team through a highly complex process. With 32 years of experience in the industry and a decade at HDR, Laird’s expertise proved invaluable in overcoming the various challenges that arose during the project. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Widener University and resides in West Chester with his wife, Darlene, and their three sons.

The official recognition of this achievement will take place during Engineers Week, with a banquet scheduled for February 6, 2026, at Anthony’s Restaurant in Springfield. For those interested in attending, reservations can be made by contacting Mike Ciocco at 610-532-2884 or via email at [email protected]. Online registration is also available at www.delcopspe.org.

This award not only highlights the engineering excellence behind the MacDade Boulevard/I-476 interchange but also underscores the importance of infrastructure projects in enhancing safety and efficiency for communities. Such recognitions serve to inspire future engineering endeavors that contribute positively to society.