2010 Project Update
January 21, 2010
Contact: Mimi Doyle, Public Involvement Specialist
Public Information
610-239-4117
Southern Part of Northeastern Extension Reconstruction and Widening Project Scheduled for Early 2011 Construction Start
A six-mile stretch north of Mid County to be replaced, widened to six lanes.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s Northeastern Extension total reconstruction and widening project between the Mid-County (Exit #20) and Lansdale (Exit #31) Interchanges is moving forward, with construction scheduled to start in the spring of 2011 on the six-mile southern portion between milepost A20 and A26 (Berks Road) in Plymouth, Whitpain and Worcester townships.
The reconstruction of the two overhead bridges at Kriebel Road in Towamencin Township and Bethel Road in Worcester Township, completed in 2008, was the first stage necessary to accommodate the widening of the roadway to six lanes.
Currently under construction is a $12 million project to replace the Route 202 and Walton Road bridges that pass over the Turnpike in Whitpain and Plymouth Townships respectively. Both bridges are being completed in two stages and will remain open to traffic until the anticipated completion date in September 2010.This month, the $8 million contract to replace the bridge carrying Morris Road across the Turnpike at milepost A27.2 was awarded to J. F. Shea Construction, Inc., Mt. Pleasant, PA. Morris Road will be closed to traffic and a detour implemented sometime after March 1. Two weeks prior to the start of construction, the contractor will place signs that read: “this bridge to be closed for construction.” The newly constructed Morris Road Bridge is tentatively scheduled to open to traffic in late 2010.
The northern section of the project from Berks Road (milepost A26) to the Lansdale Interchange (Exit #31), including the overhead bridge carrying Bustard Road over I-476 at milepost A29 is tentatively scheduled to start construction in 2014. Prior to this, the bridge carrying Sumneytown Pike over I-476 will be replaced under a separate contract sometime in 2012. This section of the six-lane widening project traverses Worcester, Upper Gwynedd and Towamencin townships and will include three newly constructed auxiliary ramps. Upon completion, motorists will be able to enter the Turnpike southbound from the intersection of Old Forty Foot Road and Sumneytown Pike (Route 63) and exit the Turnpike northbound onto Sumneytown Pike using E-ZPass Only ramps. Additionally, an auxiliary entrance ramp will be constructed from Towamencin Avenue to allow motorists to avoid congestion at the existing Lansdale Interchange entrance at Sumneytown Pike.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission provides a state-of-the-art website at www.paturnpike.com that provides motorists with real-time information across all 537 miles of the Turnpike. For individual projects, including the A20-30 total reconstruction and widening project, you can click on the “Major Design/Construction Projects” link to easily access project information, including detour routes.
The Northeastern Extension Total Reconstruction and Widening Project link provides important project details, and is updated regularly. You can sign up to receive E-Bulletins -- electronic notifications that keep you abreast of project activities including upcoming plans displays for the northern section of the project, roadway closures, and construction activities or, have our project newsletter entitled “NEXT” mailed directly to your home. Additionally, a toll-free number (1-877-855-2545) provides timely and accurate response to construction-related questions for the Northeastern Extension Total Reconstruction and Widening project.
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