in 2007, the turnpike commission announced plans to widen the northeast extension to six lanes between mid-county and lansdale. the project divided this stretch of highway into two sections. work on the southern section began in january 2008 with the replacement of two bridges over the northeast extension to accommodate the widened highway. construction on the actual widening phase commenced in january 2011. completion was originally planned in 2013; however, construction fell a year behind schedule. the southern section finished up in october 2014, while work on the northern section started in may 2014. by this point the project scope was expanded to include the lansdale interchange itself, the roadway to a point one mile north of the interchange, and two new e-zpass-only ramps at the lansdale interchange to relieve congestion at the toll plaza. this new northbound exit ramp opened december 4, 2016, and the companion southbound on-ramp opened a week later. the northern section was originally planned to finish by the end of 2016 but was delayed until mid-2017. construction was substantially completed, with all six lanes open, by august 31, 2017.