Overview
The I-476/Blue Route Improvement Project
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is moving forward to complete the final two phases of its four-phase program to improve Interstate 476 in Montgomery and Delaware counties.
Construction on the two multi-million dollar projects to rebuild the northern segment of the expressway -- from Interstate 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) to the Turnpike's Mid-County Interchange -- got underway in early 2009 with the $47.4 million inditiative to re-deck and refurbish the northbound and southbound bridges (Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge) over the Schuylkill River (Phase 3). This segment of I-476 was built in the 1970s and is one of the oldest sections of the 21.5 mile-long highway.
With work on the river bridges continuing, PennDOT is utilizing federal and state funds, plus federal interstate money and federal economic recovery funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to rebuild 3.5 miles of I-476 -- including eight bridges over surface roads in West Conshohocken, Conshohocken and Plymouth Township -- on both sides of the Schuylkill River.
In 2010, motorists on I-476 will encounter construction both the Schuylkill River Bridges and on the adjacent segments of I-476 expressway.
Construction on both projects is being coordinated to ensure that travel disruptions are minimal. Plus, PennDOT will continue to utilize the innovative express lane traffic pattern to maintain three lanes in each direction during most daylight hours and during peak travel times.
The Phase 4 Reconstruction of this worn stretch of highway is expected to last three years.
Details of Phase 3
In March 2009, PennDOT implemented its innovative express lane traffic pattern on northbound I-476 in Montgomery County when it began the first major stage of a $47.4 million project to repair and rehabilitate the 35-year-old twin bridges spanning the Schuylkill River in Plymouth Township and West Conshohocken Borough.
PennDOT will rebuild the southbound structure in 2010. The entire bridge improvement project is scheduled to finish by November 2010. Go here for more Phase 3 information.
Express Lanes Explained
The express lane traffic pattern in use on the bridges maintains three lanes in each direction. It also helps to accelerate the pace of construction allowing the contractor to rebuild each bridge a-half-at-a-time.
Under the express lane concept, capacity on the bridge that is under construction is limited to two lanes. A third lane in that same direction is then shifted across the highway onto the bridge that is not under construction. To fit that lane on the opposing bridge, three slightly narrowed lanes of primary traffic on that bridge are shifted to the far right. Construction barrier is used to separate three lanes of primary traffic on that structure from the opposing single lane. That single opposing lane is then shifted back to the proper side of the highway at the limit of the work zone.
Completed Phases 1 & 2
PennDOT completed its Phase 1 resurfacing project in 2005. Phase 1 covered the area from I-95 to Lawrence Road, along with a segment of I-95 in the area of the I-476 interchange in Delaware County. Phase 2 resurfacing finished in 2007, covering I-476 from Lawrence Road to just south of I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) in Delaware and Montgomery counties.
The first two resurfacing projects were preventive maintenance operations designed to preserve the highway and extend its useful life. In addition to milling the existing pavement and resurfacing I-476, PennDOT improved safety and updated roadway features such as guide rails signing, and lane markings.