On Saturday, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center opened its doors in Oaks. Intended to replace the Fort Washington Expo Center, it held two events this past weekend, The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour, essentially a model train show, and a Weapons Show. These two, fortunately, were in different parts of the expo center. However, it quickly became clear that ample traffic studies were not performed prior to the opening of the center.
Anyone who drives 422 during rush hour knows how bad traffic can get. Now imagine all of that traffic getting off at one exit. That's pretty much what you had Saturday (and presumably Sunday).
My wife, son and I went to the train exhibit at around 12:15 on Saturday. A quick listen to KYW 1060 told us that traffic was backed up for five miles heading in from King of Prussia and three miles coming from Pottstown. Standing in line, I overheard one guy say it took him an hour and a half to get from KOP, a half hour of which was spent after getting off of 422 on Egypt Rd. Add to that an apparent lack of parking and the situation was truly a mess. By the time we left, at around 2:30, things hadn't improved. In fact, by the time we returned to Phoenixville, it appeared the backup on Egypt Rd. had extended onto Bridge Street.
Its bad enough that attendees to these events have to deal with this sort of traffic, I can't imagine how inconvenienced those that live in that area were. Its not as if that area was lacking for weekend traffic before the center's opening.
I'd be interested to see how they plan to address this but for now, my advice is to check phillyexpocenter.com each weekend before making plans to go anywhere near 422 and/or Oaks.
Anyone who drives 422 during rush hour knows how bad traffic can get. Now imagine all of that traffic getting off at one exit. That's pretty much what you had Saturday (and presumably Sunday).
My wife, son and I went to the train exhibit at around 12:15 on Saturday. A quick listen to KYW 1060 told us that traffic was backed up for five miles heading in from King of Prussia and three miles coming from Pottstown. Standing in line, I overheard one guy say it took him an hour and a half to get from KOP, a half hour of which was spent after getting off of 422 on Egypt Rd. Add to that an apparent lack of parking and the situation was truly a mess. By the time we left, at around 2:30, things hadn't improved. In fact, by the time we returned to Phoenixville, it appeared the backup on Egypt Rd. had extended onto Bridge Street.
Its bad enough that attendees to these events have to deal with this sort of traffic, I can't imagine how inconvenienced those that live in that area were. Its not as if that area was lacking for weekend traffic before the center's opening.
I'd be interested to see how they plan to address this but for now, my advice is to check phillyexpocenter.com each weekend before making plans to go anywhere near 422 and/or Oaks.
Comments
Aside from the traffic, the whole ticketing scenario was also a nightmare -- only letting people come in through one door, no sign for ticket sales...everyone herded through a too-small area to get in. My husband said they should just put ticket sales at each possible entrance.
I also wonder how the businesses like BounceU and Arnold's are going to deal with parking - there was NOWHERE to park when we went on Saturday. I can't imagine if we just wanted to leisurely visit BounceU or Arnold's - which we have done on weekends in the past. No more!
Hopefully they'll get it all worked out soon.
We figured it was an accident on 422. Obviously, if this Expo is to be successful, they need to work on the traffic.
We sat on Egypt road for over an hour, to go two miles. This is unacceptable, and if I lived closer to the area, I would be in an outrage to the township.
I guess we won't be utilizing the dog park anymore on expo weekends.
Times-Herald
Crossed the Expo of my list forever-unless drastic improvements ar emade to the infrastructure (Barack we need you!)
I went to Pottsville from Philly on that Saturday, and thought it was an accident.
The signs on 76 said "slow traffic -- use alternate route" but it was more like completely stopped traffic. 1 1/2 hours to go 6 miles. CRAZY!
I hope they get their permits pulled for lack of planning. I feel bad for the other businesses in that complex (movies, the Dump). They're all bound to be losing business over this mess.