Milepost A59.20, Northeastern Extension, Lehigh County
Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC)
Project Overview
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) will complete construction this fall on a bridge-replacement project in Lehigh County in eastern Pennsylvania utilizing a modern process called Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). This technique is being used to construct the Huckleberry Road Bridge (NB-363 Bridge) on Interstate 476 in South Whitehall Township.
Interstate 476 is a major urban interstate carrying an average daily traffic (ADT) of 31,174 vehicles per day (2019 pre-pandemic data).
This will be the fifth ABC project to be completed by the PTC. Instead of one to two years of Turnpike roadway lane closures and delays, most impacts will occur over the course of a single weekend with this ABC method. The final stage of the bridge replacement work is a weekend closure of I-476 that is scheduled to start on Friday, Oct. 14, and be completed by Monday, Oct. 17.
To prepare for the bridge replacement, the PTC has already closed Huckleberry Road in South Whitehall Township, and it will remain closed until December 2022. During the Huckleberry Road closure, please expect higher traffic volumes on detour roads. Motorists are encouraged to plan travel accordingly. Changeable message signs will also provide information on closures and detours. Work schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions.
The Huckleberry Road Bridge Replacement Project is part of the continuing improvements scheduled for the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeastern Extension (I-476).
This project includes the complete replacement of the Huckleberry Road Bridge (NB-363), milepost A59.20, in Lehigh County, PA.
| Project Summary | |
|---|---|
| Construction Start: | Winter 2021/2022 |
| Construction Completion: | Fall 2022 |
| Project Total: | $7 Million |
| General Contractor: | Terra Structures – division of H&K Group, Inc. |
| Construction Manager: | STV, Inc. |
| Design Consultant: | HDR Engineering, Inc. |
News Release
PA TURNPIKE TRAVEL ADVISORY/For Immediate Release
October 6, 2022
Contact: Kathleen Walter, 267.326.3856
Pennsylvania Turnpike Plans Weekend Closure between Lehigh Valley and Mahoning Valley Interchanges
Continuous, 55-hour closure Oct. 14 – 17 is necessary for bridge demolition and replacement.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is warning motorists to change travel plans or prepare for a lengthy detour due to a continuous, 55-hour weekend closure planned between the Lehigh Valley Interchange, Exit 56, and the Mahoning Valley Interchange, Exit 74, on the PA Turnpike’s Northeastern Extension (I-476) from Friday, Oct. 14 through Monday, Oct. 17 as workers replace a bridge.
The roadway will be closed in both directions starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14 until 4 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 17.
Photo Gallery
Abutment 2 Temporary Piles 07-22-2022
Abutment 2 Temporary Pile Installation 07-19-2022
Abutment 1 Proof Pile Installation 2 05-18-2022
Abutment 1 Proof Pile Installation 05-18-2022
Abutment 1 Proof Pile Installation 05-18-2022
Abutment 1 Verification Pile Testing 05-16-2022
East Side of Bridge 05-12-2022
Abutment 2 SE Wing Support of Excavation 05-12-2022
Abutment 1 Test Pile Installation 2 05-09-2022
Abutment 1 Test Pile Installation 05-09-2022
Abutment 2 and NE Wing Support of Excavation 05-05-2022
Abutment 1 Support of Excavation Installation 04-26-2022
Abutment 1 SW Wing Soil Nail Installation 04-26-2022
Underside of Existing Bridge viewed from South 03-04-2022
South Face of Existing Bridge 03-04-2022
Detours
Southbound Detour - Through Traffic
Exit at Pocono Exit #95 and take Interstate 80 East to State Route 33 South (25.5 miles). Follow State Route 33 South to U.S. Route 22 West (23.6 miles). Follow U.S. Route 22 West and reenter I-476 South at Lehigh Valley Interchange Exit #56 (15.8 miles).
Northbound Detour - Traffic
Exit at Lehigh Valley Exit #56 and take U.S. Route 22 East to State Route 33 North (16.5 miles). Follow State Route 33 North to Interstate 80 West (24.5 miles). Follow Interstate 80 West and reenter I-476 at Pocono Interchange Exit #95 (25.1 miles).
Contact Information
We encourage you to visit this website periodically for up-to-date project information.
If you have questions or comments about the Northeastern Extension, Lehigh County bridge construction, please contact:
Walter W. Wimer, PE
Assistant Bridge Engineering Manager
PA Turnpike Commission
700 S Eisenhower Blvd
Middletown, PA 17057