MacDade Boulevard Interchange Earns 2026 Outstanding Project Award

SPRINGFIELD — The Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (Delco PSPE) has recognized the MacDade Boulevard/Interstate 476 Interchange with the prestigious 2026 Outstanding Project Award. This accolade highlights exceptional engineering contributions in Delaware and southern Chester counties, evaluated on criteria such as social impact, economic benefits, sustainability, innovation, and project complexity.

Originally completed in 1992, the MacDade Boulevard/I-476 interchange underwent significant improvements as part of the recent I-476 (Blue Route) project aimed at enhancing travel safety and efficiency. The interchange currently accommodates over 30,000 vehicles daily.

Project Completion Ahead of Schedule

General Contractor Allan Myers Inc. completed the project 615 days earlier than expected, with a total construction cost of $19.1 million. Key enhancements included:

• The reconfiguration of ramps at MacDade, which eliminated an unsafe merge by removing the old off-ramp.
• The addition of a new travel lane on northbound I-476 at both the MacDade and Route 1 interchanges, improving traffic flow during peak hours.
• A new pedestrian bridge that replaced an outdated and unsafe structure.

Project manager Bill Laird of HDR Engineering Inc. led the design team through this intricate and multidisciplinary endeavor. Laird, who holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Widener University, has over 32 years of experience in the field. He lives in West Chester with his wife, Darlene, and their three sons.

Recognition During Engineers Week

The official recognition of the project will occur during the national celebration of Engineers Week. A banquet is scheduled for February 6, 2026, at Anthony’s Restaurant, located at 865 W Springfield Road in Springfield. Those interested in attending can reserve seats 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 of the MacDade Boulevard/I-476 interchange but also reflects the ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure in the region, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for all users.