Lane Closures Sunday, Monday Night on I-476 in Montgomery County
Southbound Express EZPass lanes, two lanes on I-476 closed during Monday night operation
Nighttime lane closures are scheduled on Interstate 476 in Montgomery County Sunday and Monday nights next week (Dec. 20-21) for continuing construction between the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Mid-County Interchange and the Interstate 76 Interchange, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today.
The contractor's upcoming schedule is as follows:
- Southbound I-476 will be reduced from three lanes to two from the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Mid-County Interchange (Exit 20) to the I-76 Interchange (Exit 16) Sunday and Monday nights (Dec. 20-21), from 10 p.m. each evening until 5 a.m. the following morning.
- Southbound I-476 will be reduced from three lanes to one from the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Mid-County Interchange (Exit 20) to the Ridge Pike Interchange (Exit 18) from 11 p.m. Monday (Dec. 21) until 5 a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 22). The Turnpike’s southbound EZPass express lanes will be closed during this operation as well.
- Northbound I-476 will be reduced from three lanes to two from the I-76 Interchange (Exit 16) to the Ridge Pike Interchange (Exit 18) Sunday and Monday nights (Dec. 20-21), from 10 p.m. each evening until 5 a.m. the following morning.
In addition to the lane closures, motorists should remain alert for shifting traffic patterns on the Ridge Pike (Exit 18) on- and off-ramps during the planned construction activities.
Nighttime construction activities also are planned for Tuesday and Wednesday (Dec. 22-23) on the I-476 northbound and southbound shoulder. No lane closures are scheduled for these operations.
No construction-related lane closures will be in place for the remainder of the year end holiday period. Nighttime lane closures will return Monday evening, Jan. 4, as crews continue preparations to begin re-decking the southbound I-476 bridge over the Schuylkill River and reconstruct the adjacent 3.2 miles of southbound I-476 in early 2010.
Motorists using I-476 should remain alert for slowdowns and expect delays approaching the construction areas, especially when the two-lane closure is in place on southbound I-476.
The work schedule is dependent on the weather.
PennDOT is continuing the initial stage of a $71.7 million project to replace I-476's deteriorated concrete pavement; rehabilitate six dual mainline bridges and one overhead structure; rebuild and widen the highway's shoulders; improve storm water drainage; remediate an area prone to sinkholes; and install 17 new sign structures.
The project is financed with 100 percent federal funds, including $3.5 million of economic recovery money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Work to rehabilitate I-476's Schuylkill River Bridge (Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge) is being done under a separate $47.3 million contract to re-deck and refurbish the deck's structural components.
For more information, and to sign up for e-mail alerts about this project, visit www.476blueroute.com.
PennDOT reminds motorists to log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on I-476 and other major highways before heading out.