Section B Mainline

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Project Description

Toll plazas were located at the eastern end of the Turnpike at the Delaware River Bridge (Exit 359) and the Delaware Valley Interchange (Exit 358). In order to complete the connection between the Turnpike and Interstate 95, the tolling facilities were relocated. The new mainline toll plaza was relocated just east of the Route 1/Bensalem E-Z Pass Only Interchanges.

This project included two separate locations at which the toll facilities were built. The first project worksite was located between milepost 351.4 – 354.1. In this location, a portion of I-276 was reconstructed and widened, and a new mainline toll plaza was built at milepost 352.6. The second project worksite was located at the existing Delaware River Bridge toll plaza at milepost 358, just west of the Delaware River Bridge crossing in Bucks County, and included the construction of an Open Road Tolling system.

This project included:

• Construction of a new mainline toll plaza with 4 Express E-ZPass lanes, 3 conventional entry and 5 exit tolling lanes
• Installation of a prefabricated utility building to support Open Road Tolling at the Delaware River Bridge
• Demolition of the existing Delaware River Bridge mainline toll plaza (Exit #359)
• Demolition of the existing Delaware Valley Interchange toll plaza (Exit 358) and
• Widening 2.7 miles of I-276 including 0.5 miles at the Delaware River Bridge site.

Additional work items included, but were not limited to: installation of guiderail, drainage inlets and pipes; three rain gardens; six storm water management basins; sound barriers; retaining walls; box culverts; and, right-of-way fencing.

As part of the overall work, three separate contracts were included for HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing work associated with the new tolling facilities.

Relocation of the mainline toll plaza was required to accommodate the future re-designation of I-276 to I-95. The portion of the mainline Turnpike (I-276), between I-95 and the Delaware River will be re-designated as I-95 when the connection is completed with the construction of Sections D10 and D20.

Project Schedule

Construction began in June 2013 and was completed in four (4) major phases. The new toll plaza and Open Road Tolling system was made operational in fall 2015 with project completion in 2016.

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Construction Information Archive

September/October 2016

• Completed paving of the eastbound and westbound lanes and shoulder to their final configuration with lanes opened to traffic full width at the former Delaware River Bridge (DRB) Toll Plaza.
• Completed paving of the on- and off-ramps to their final configuration with lanes opened to traffic full width at the former Delaware Valley Interchange (DVI) Toll Plaza.
• Punchlist is ongoing at DRB and DVI Interchanges and at the Neshaminy Falls Toll Plaza.

August 2016

• Completed paving of the eastbound and westbound lanes and shoulder with lanes opened to traffic full width at the former Delaware River Bridge (DRB) Toll Plaza.
• Completed paving of the on- and off-ramps with lanes opened to traffic full width at the former Delaware Valley Interchange (DVI) Toll Plaza.
• Punchlist is ongoing at DRB and DVI Interchanges and at the Neshaminy Falls Toll Plaza.

July 2016

• Completed paving of the eastbound and westbound lanes and shoulder with lanes opened to traffic full width at the decommissioned Delaware River Bridge (DRB) Toll Plaza.
• Continued installing overhead lighting, fiber optic cable and guiderail at the decommissioned DRB Toll Plaza.
• Completed paving of the on- and off-ramps with lanes opened to traffic full width at the decommissioned Delaware Valley Interchange (DVI) Toll Plaza.

June 2016

• Switched traffic onto the new middle bituminous pavement for both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the decommissioned Delaware River Bridge (DRB) Toll Plaza.
• Removed the existing concrete pavement, remaining eastbound and westbound toll booths and the toll building from the decommissioned DRB Toll Plaza.
• Started paving the remaining eastbound and westbound outside lane and shoulder to their final configuration at the decommissioned DRB Toll Plaza.
• Continued installing overhead lighting at the decommissioned DRB Toll Plaza.
• Continued building the remaining Rt. 13 exit ramp shoulder to its final configuration at the decommissioned Delaware Valley Interchange Toll Plaza.

May 2016

• Construction continued on the new All Electronic facilities at the Delaware River Bridge Plaza (DRB).
• Initiated staged construction to reconstruct the DRB eastbound and westbound On-Off Ramp lanes; traffic shifted from center to outside.
• With Delaware Valley Interchange (DVI) deactivated, initiated staged construction to reconstruct the eastbound and westbound travel lanes; traffic shifted from center to outside.
• Installed lighting, and sign structures along PA Turnpike Mainline.
• Completed punchlist at Neshaminy Falls Plaza.

April 2016

• Opening of new toll facilities at Neshaminy Falls Plaza and the Delaware River Bridge Plaza (DRB) took place January 3rd, 2016.
• Construction continued on the new All Electronic facilities at the DRB.
• Initiated staged construction to reconstruct the DRB eastbound and westbound On-Off Ramp lanes; traffic shifted from center to outside.
• With Delaware Valley Interchange (DVI) deactivated, initiated staged construction to reconstruct the eastbound and westbound travel lanes; traffic shifted from center to outside.
• Installed lighting, and sign structures along PA Turnpike Mainline.
• Completed punchlist at Neshaminy Falls Plaza.

January/February/March 2016

• Opening of new toll facilities at Neshaminy Falls Plaza and the Delaware River Bridge Plaza (DRB) took place January 3rd, 2016.
• Construction began on the new All Electronic facilities at the DRB.
• DRB and Delaware Valley Interchange (DVI) Toll Plazas deactivated. Toll collection ended.
• At DRB, traffic shifted to outside, removal of toll booths and concrete pavement followed by bituminous paving of center lanes.
• At DVI, traffic remains in center, removal of toll booths and toll building followed by temporary bituminous paving.

November/December 2015

• Completed construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Completed construction of the new travel lanes for the mainline of the Turnpike.
• Completed construction of the new All Electronic facilities at the Delaware River Bridge plaza with installation of gantries and electronic equipment.
• Completed construction of the New Falls plaza pavement, islands and toll facilities.
• Opening of new toll facilities at Neshaminy Falls Plaza and the Delaware River Bridge took place January 3rd, 2016

September/October 2015

• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Construction of the new travel lanes for the mainline of the Turnpike continues.
• Construction of the new Cashless Tolling facilities at the Delaware River Bridge plaza continued with installation of gantries and electronic equipment.
• Continued construction of the New Falls plaza pavement, islands and toll facilities.

August 2015

• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Continued construction of the new travel lanes for the mainline of the Turnpike. Westbound traffic switched to the new thru travel lanes.
• Continued construction of the new Cashless Tolling facilities at the Delaware River Bridge plaza with installation of gantry foundations.

July 2015

• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Started placement of bituminous pavement on the new travel lanes for the mainline of the Turnpike.
• Started construction of the new Cashless Tolling facilities at the Delaware River Bridge plaza.
• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza pavement and gantry structures.

May/June 2015

• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Continued reconstruction of the original mainline turnpike pavement area. The westbound and eastbound traffic were shifted to the new widened area.
• Completed new drainage installation. New pavement installation is approximately 50% complete.
• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza pavement and gantry structures.

March/April 2015

• Completed the new Toll Plaza access tunnel.
• Completed removal of the old roadway pavement along westbound PA Turnpike Mainline. The westbound traffic was shifted to the new widened area.
• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Continued new drainage installation for the old pavement area that is approximately 70% complete.
• Started construction of the new Toll Plaza pavement and gantry structures.

January/February 2015

• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Westbound traffic was shifted to the new widened area. Contractor started removing the old Westbound roadway.
• Started installation of new drainage for area of the old pavement area, which has been removed.
• Resumed completion activities for the new access tunnel under the new toll plaza area.

December 2014

• Continued placement of sub-base and new bituminous pavement on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline.
• Completed installation of new pavement on the eastbound widening area of the project.
• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Eastbound traffic was shifted to the new widened area. Contractor started removing the old Eastbound roadway.

November 2014

• Continued placement of sub-base and new bituminous pavement on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline.
• Installation of new pavement continued on the eastbound widening area of the project.
• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Completed construction of sound wall on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline west of Galloway Road.

October 2014

• Continued placement of new drainage facilities.
• Continued placement of sub-base and new bituminous pavement on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline.
• Continued installing new pavement on the eastbound widening area of the project.
• Completed new retaining wall along eastbound PA Turnpike Mainline west of Galloway Road.
• Continued construction of the new Toll Plaza building.
• Started construction of sound wall on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline west of Galloway Road.

September 2014

• Completed placement of soil and rock embankment throughout the project.
• Completed construction of tunnel for new toll plaza on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline.
• Contractor continued placing new drainage facilities.
• Contractor continued placement of sub-base and new bituminous pavement on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline.
• Started installing new pavement on the eastbound widening area of the project.

August 2014

• Placement of soil and rock embankment continued at various locations along the project.
• Existing stream channels removed and embankment placed for new toll plaza area.
• Continued construction of tunnel for new toll plaza on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline.
• Contractor continued placing new drainage facilities.
• Contractor completed construction of sedimentation basin #4 east of Galloway Road.
• Contractor started placement of sub-base and new bituminous pavement on westbound PA Turnpike Mainline.

July 2014

• Placement of soil and rock embankment continued at various locations along the project.
• Existing stream channels removed and embankment placed for new toll plaza area.
• Continued construction of tunnel for new toll plaza.
• Contractor continued placing new drainage facilities.

June 2014

• Contractor completed construction of the box culvert extensions east of Galloway Rd.
• Placement of soil and rock embankment continued at various areas of the project.
• The North Channel, which is constructed for relocating the existing stream from the south side, was completed. The existing stream was placed into the new stream channel the first week of June.
• Construction of the tunnel for the new toll plaza continued and Stairway A was constructed.
• Contractor continued to place new drainage facilities.

May 2014

• Contractor continued construction of the box culvert extensions east of Galloway Rd.
• Placement of soil and rock embankment continued at various areas of the project.
• Completed construction of the North Channel, for relocating the existing stream from the south side.
• Completed installation of new underground utility lines for the new toll plaza building.
• Began construction of the tunnel for the new toll plaza.

April 2014

• Culvert extensions for the new culvert adjacent to Richlieu Rd were completed.
• Continued construction of the box culvert extensions east of Galloway Rd.
• Placement of soil embankment has resumed and will continue as the weather improves.
• Placement of storm water pipes and inlets was progressed throughout many areas of the project.
• The North Channel, which is constructed for relocating the existing stream from the south side, was nearly completed.
• Started installation of new underground utility lines for the new toll plaza building.

March 2014

• Due to winter weather, contractor’s efforts were focused on completing the box culverts and new storm water drainage facilities.
• Contractor efforts were focused on continuing construction of several new structures including box culverts between Richlieu and Galloway Roads and a new culvert east of Galloway Road.
• Completion of extensions for the new culvert adjacent to Richlieu Road progressed.
• Contractor continued construction of the box culvert extensions east of Galloway Road.
• Placement of rock embankment was completed east of Galloway Road along eastbound and westbound PA Turnpike Mainline. Placement of soil embankment will start when weather conditions improve.
• Placement of storm water pipes and inlets were progressed throughout many areas of the project.

February 2014

• The contractor efforts were focused on continuing construction of several new structures including box culverts between Richlieu and Galloway Roads and a new culvert east of Galloway Road. Due to winter weather, excavation and embankment activities were limited.
• Construction of soundwall foundations along eastbound PA Turnpike Mainline, west of Richlieu Road, continued. Installation of posts and panels under the PECO transmission wires was completed.
• Completion of the extensions for the new culvert adjacent to Richlieu Road was started.
• Installation of the new box culvert extensions and jacked pipes near Galloway Road was completed.
• Contractor continued construction of the box culvert extensions east of Galloway Road.
• Placement of rock embankment was completed east of Galloway Road along eastbound and westbound PA Turnpike Mainline. Placement of soil embankment will start when weather conditions improve.

January 2014

• The contractor continued constructing several of the new structures including box culverts between Richlieu and Galloway Roads and a new culvert east of Galloway Road.
• Excavation and grading continued, but has been limited due to the winter weather conditions.
• Soundwall foundation construction west of Richlieu Road continued.
• The contractor completed box culvert installation under the PA Turnpike Mainline east of Richlieu Road. Completion of the culvert extensions will begin as weather permits.
• Installation of the new box culvert extensions and jacked pipes near Galloway Road continued.
• Stormwater drainage construction continued and several water quality structures were installed.
• Rock embankment placement was completed east of Galloway Road along eastbound and westbound PA Turnpike Mainline.

November/December 2013

• Clearing and installation of basins and drainage pipes continued.
• Construction of the new box culverts between Richlieu and Galloway Roads continued.
• Construction of a new box culvert extension along the Eastbound side east of Galloway Road was started.
• Excavation and grading continued, weather permitting, as more work areas became available.
• Soundwall foundation construction west of Richlieu Road was started.
• Placement of the new sanitary sewer along the new access road continued.
• Construction of basin #3 and water quality structures west of Galloway Road were completed.
• Contractor continued excavation of the new north channel and placement of embankment on westbound side between Richlieu and Galloway Roads.
• Construction of Basins 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B continued.

October 2013

• Construction for the new mainline toll plaza continued with additional clearing and installation of basins and drainage pipes.
• Installation of temporary erosion control devices continues.
• The contractor continues construction of several of the new structures including box culverts between Richlieu and Galloway Roads.
• Excavation and grading continues as more areas become available after clearing and installation of erosion control devices.
• Installation of temporary barrier for Stage 2 was completed.
• Excavation for the new 60” pipe for drainage along Parx property is complete and the area restored.
• Placement of the new sanitary sewer along the new access road continues.
• Construction of Basin #2B adjacent to Richlieu Road continues.
• Contractor continued work for installation of jacking pits for the new box culvert under the mainline just east of Richlieu Road.
• Temporary paving for maintenance of traffic was completed.
• Installation of the new box culvert extensions and jacked pipes near Galloway Road continued.
• Contractor started excavation of the new north channel and placement of embankment on westbound side between Richlieu and Galloway Roads.
• Construction of Basins 1A, 1B and 2A was started.

September 2013

• Construction for the new mainline toll plaza continued with installation of Stage 2 traffic barriers.
• Installation of temporary erosion control devices continues.
• The contractor began constructing several new structures, including box culverts, between Richlieu and Galloway Roads.
• Excavation and grading will continue as more work areas become available after clearing and installation of erosion control devices.
• Installation of temporary Stage 2 barrier was started.
• Excavation for the new 60” drainage pipe along Parx property is complete.
• Placement of the new sanitary sewer along the new toll building access road began.
• Construction of Basin #2B, adjacent to Richlieu Road, was started.
• Contractor continued to install jacking pits for the new box culvert under the PA Turnpike Mainline, east of Richlieu Road.
• Temporary paving for maintenance of traffic was completed.
• Installation of the new box culvert extensions and jacked pipes near Galloway Road was started.
• Contractor started excavating the new north channel and placed an embankment on the westbound side between Richlieu and Galloway Roads.

August 2013

• The contractor continues installing erosion control devices.
• Clearing along the north side, west of Richlieu Road has been completed.
• Excavation for the new 60" pipe for Parx Casino property drainage is 90% complete.
• Embankment placement for the new toll building access road continued.
• Construction of Basin #3, adjacent to Galloway Road, continued.
• Contractor has mobilized for jacking pit installations for the new box culvert under the PA Turnpike Mainline east of Richlieu Road.
• Temporary paving for maintenance of traffic is scheduled to begin in early September 2013.

July 2013

• The contractor continues installing erosion control devices.
• Tree clearing continued on the south and north side of the PA Turnpike Mainline between Richlieu and Galloway Roads.
• Tree clearing along the north side of the PA Turnpike Mainline west of Richlieu Road has started.
• Excavation for the new 60" drainage pipe along Parx Casino's property has begun.
• The embankment for the new toll building access road has been started.
• The contractor initiated construction of Basin #3, adjacent to Galloway Road.

May/June 2013

• The contractor has mobilized to the worksite and is currently performing survey layout.
• Initial environmental agencies meetings have been completed.
• The contractor has installed erosion control devices.
• Trees were cleared on the south side of the PA Turnpike Mainline between Richlieu Road and Galloway Road in June 2013.