in 1996, the i-476 designation was affixed to the pre-existing northeast extension of the pennsylvania turnpike, replacing pennsylvania route 9. this was an older four lane pre interstate limited access highway. of earlier design, its cross section was very narrow, with only 10 feet between opposing lanes of traffic in places. this extended i-476 north of plymouth meeting to clarks summit (near scranton) as a part of the pennsylvania turnpike system. the crown jewel of this expressway was a state-of-the-art three-level interchange, to connect the new i-476 with the older pennsylvania turnpike and the northeast extension. this provided direct access to both i-276 east and i-476 north, now on the northeast extension. the northeast extension served the lehigh valley at u.s. route 22, with connection to i-78, the southern bypass of allentown/bethlehem. with the completion of the northeast extension, i-476 surpassed i-495 in massachusetts as the longest auxiliary interstate highway, a record it will hold until the completion of i-369 in texas.