Construction and Extension
Spring 2025 – Large-scale excavation, retaining wall construction, and paving on both sides of the Turnpike (I-76) continue this spring as the Turnpike Commission’s $214 million project to widen and reconstruct I-76 between mileposts 312 and 316 in Upper Uwchlan, Uwchlan, West Pikeland, and Charlestown townships, in Chester County enters its second year of construction.
Beginning at the terminus of the new eastbound on-ramp at the Downingtown Interchange, base paving is placed on a section of the eastbound side (see above). Excavation and paving operations will continue intermittently in the eastern direction until completion in early fall.
Paving operations also continue in the westbound direction beginning at the eastern limits of the project (MP 316) and are expected to be finished in late fall.
Once paving is completed, traffic will shift onto the new outer lanes to allow for center area construction.
The outer portions of the new bridges at the Downingtown Interchange and over Upper Pine Creek Road (see below) and Conestoga Road are completed. The middle portions will be constructed after the traffic shift
Construction of 11 of the 12 retaining walls has also been completed. The final wall on the eastbound side of the Turnpike is expected to be finished by late spring.
On the westbound side of I-76, posts for soundwalls have been installed (see bottom picture). Panels will be installed this spring, followed by final grading.
Pine Creek Road in Uwchlan Township remains closed until the completion of the new bridge in 2026. This deviation from the original plan to reopen the road temporarily between construction stages is due to safety concerns, given the narrowness of the existing structure and additional heavy construction work that will remain ongoing in the area. Motorists will detour to Worthington Road, Newcomen Road, Conestoga Road, and then Upper Pine Creek Road.
Nightly lane closures will be in place periodically this spring on weekdays from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the following morning in both directions on the Turnpike for construction of the new ramps at the Downingtown Interchange.
Bridges over the Turnpike within the project limits — Bodine Road and Valley Hill Road (SR 1021) — were replaced during a previous contract from 2010-2013. These advanced bridge replacements will reduce the amount of time needed to complete mainline reconstruction.
Message boards providing notifications of upcoming road closures will be set up prior to the start of additional local detours. Closures and detours also will be announced through news releases to local media, posted on the project website, and sent to the project’s email subscribers.
For questions about ongoing construction or other issues related to this project, email us at Tpk312-316@bergcomm.com, or call Toll Free at 866-528-4181.
The PTC completed a tree-clearing contract in late fall 2022 within the limits of their right-of-way in advance of the upcoming construction project. The reason for performing the work at this time is due to environmental regulations, which require that cutting down trees greater than 4 inches in diameter must occur between the months of November and March due to the presence of long-eared bats, which are an endangered species in this region. In order to not impact the schedule of the upcoming construction project, the PTC initiated a separate contract to remove the trees within the allowable time of year. The felled trees will be collected and turned into wood chips during early Stage 1 construction.
Travel Impacts:
Travel Impacts:
Travel Impacts:
This project includes the replacement of three mainline bridges, which carry the Turnpike over local or state roads. The following structures will be replaced during the mainline construction:
