The Freedom Valley Chronicles:
The Schuylkill Expressway Opened 65 Years Ago Today

December 8, 2017

More Than The Curve - Ribbon Cutting - December 8 1952.JPG

The Schuylkill Expressway opened to traffic in West Conshohocken at 8:55 AM on December 8, 1952.
Mrs. Isabel Carr Tyson, the Borough Secretary, is seen here cutting the ribbon to open the highway to traffic.

 

The section of the Schuylkill Expressway that was opened 65 years ago today allowed motor vehicles to go between West Conshohocken and Gulph Mills.  Communities stretching from western Pennsylvania and Harrisburg to Valley Forge and King of Prussia now had direct access to West Conshohocken by means of a modern highway.

For some time, the Schuylkill Expressway ended in West Conshohocken.  All traffic exited and entered on Moorehead Avenue.

The next section of the Schuylkill Expressway opened from West Conshohocken to Gladwyne and City Avenue (City Line).  It would be a few more years before you could get to Center City Philadelphia via the Schuylkill Expressway from West Conshohocken.

 

Credits:

Photo of the ribbon-cutting ceremony is courtesy of the West Conshohocken Centennial Celebration Program Booklet, 1974

 

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Contact Richard McDonough at freedomvalleychronicles@gmail.com.

 

© 2017 Richard McDonough