On March 29, 2007, the Turnpike Commission held an open house to display preliminary plans to widen the Northeast Extension from four lanes to six between Plymouth Meeting and Lansdale.

The meeting was well attended despite the lack of advance notice given by the Commission of the meeting.

Many residents were only made aware of the minimally advertised meeting by a letter notice of the meeting by Whitpain Township, door to door meeting notices delivered by Plymouth residents, extensive TV coverage garnered by Plymouth residents and e-mail notices to Whitpain and Plymouth residents.

Under the present widening proposal, approximately 9 homeowners will lose their entire property and an additional 200 homeowners will lose part of their property to eminent domain takings.

Many homeowners will be left with minimal property surrounding their homes resulting in low resale values after the expansion. Neighborhood homes will be demolished to build Stormwater Retention Basins.

Sound Barriers placement is not guaranteed as part of the reconstruction phase and will only be put up if they meet the requirements of the Commission. "It has to meet the 'warranted, reasonable and feasible' rules for construction." said Project Manager, Gerald Rollman. (Times Herald 30mar07)

Most of the taking appears to be due to a need for stormwater management. The Commission has apparently chosen a very basic stormwater management system rather than a more advanced system that would decrease the need to seize property.