The Route 309 Expressway Improvement Project will have a relatively minor impact on wetlands in the project area, but a positive one on flooding that plagues the Fort Washington Interchange area during heavy rains.

Overall, 3.3 acres of wetlands- natural wildlife feeding and habitat areas-will be affected by the project's minor widening and interchange reconstruction. To compensate for this loss, PennDOT will construct 5.8 acres of new wetlands on vacant land along streams, spring discharges or areas with high water tables.

PennDOT will then plant trees, shrubs, grasses and herbs that thrive in wetland conditions on the selected sites.

In addition, PennDOT is addressing solutions to flooding problems in the area of the Route 309/Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange. PennDOT is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, municipalities, conservation groups and other local stakeholders on measures to reduce flooding from Sandy Run, which runs beneath the interchange. The drainage and flood control initiatives will be part of the interchange construction project.