Shapiro Administration Previews 2023 Southeast Region Construction Season, Stresses Work Zone Safety

​Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 6 officials, along with other safety partners, recently highlighted significant projects anticipated to start, continue or finish this year in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties; and encouraged motorists to use caution when traveling in work zones in recognition of National Work Zone Awareness Week that runs from April 17-21.

"Our commitment and continued investment into improving and modernizing our highways, bridges and multimodal connections will be noticeable this year with more than 120 projects under construction valued at $2.19 billion across the Philadelphia region," said PennDOT District 6 Executive Lou Belmonte. "Many are high-priority projects that were advanced or accelerated with funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)."

Notable projects that will continue across the southeast region this year include:

• I-95 Sections CAP, BS2, AF2, CP3Opens In A New Window in Philadelphia ($682.2 million): Four reconstruction projects to improve I-95, the associated ramps, interchanges and surface streets from Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia to Penn's Landing in Center City.

• U.S. 202 Sections 61N, 61S, 65SOpens In A New Window in Montgomery County ($155 million): Three mainline U.S. 202 widening and improvement projects from Norristown to Whitpain Township.

• U.S. 1 Section RC2Opens In A New Window in Bucks County ($113.3 million): Second of three mainline U.S. 1 widening and improvement projects in Bensalem and Middletown townships.

Notable projects that are expected to begin this year include:

• U.S. 322 Sections 103, CSXOpens In A New Window in Delaware County ($123 million estimate): Two U.S. 322 projects to widen and improve U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) and replace the bridge that carries the highway over CSX rail lines in Upper Chichester Township.

• U.S. 422 Section M1BOpens In A New Window in Chester County ($73 million estimate): U.S. 422 reconstruction and improvement project between the Keim Street and Route 724 interchanges in Lower Pottsgrove Township.

• I-476 Section IMPOpens In A New Window in Montgomery and Delaware counties ($60 million estimate): Pavement and bridge preservation project on I-476 from I-76 in West Conshohocken Borough to I-95 in Ridley Township.
  

• I-76 Section IMPOpens In A New Window in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties ($36.8 million): Pavement and bridge preservation project on I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) from U.S. 1 (City Avenue) in Lower Merion Township to I-676 (Vine Street Expressway) in Philadelphia.
  

• Route 420 Bridge Replacements in Delaware County ($35.8 million): Project to replace the northbound and southbound bridges that carry Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) over Darby Creek in Prospect Park Borough and Tinicum Township.

• U.S. 202/Route 926 Intersection ImprovementsOpens In A New Window in Chester County ($3.2 million estimate): Project includes installing a new southbound right-turn deceleration lane on U.S. 202 at Route 926 (Street Road) and an additional eastbound left-turn lane on Route 926 (Street Road) approaching U.S. 202.
  

Notable projects that will be completed this year include:

• I-95 Section BR2Opens In A New Window in Philadelphia ($93.6 million): Replace and improve four ramp structures at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange.

• I-95 Section BS1Opens In A New Window in Philadelphia ($81 million): Reconstruct and improve I-95 at the northern end of the Bridge Street Interchange and replace two bridges carrying the interstate over Van Kirk Street and Comly Street.

• U.S. 1 Section WAVOpens In A New Window in Philadelphia ($95.5 million): Rehabilitate the half-mile-long Wayne Junction Viaduct that carries U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) over SEPTA tracks and the Nicetown neighborhood.

• Route 309 Section PM1Opens In A New Window in Bucks and Montgomery counties ($56.3 million): Pavement and bridge preservation project on a 9.1-mile section of Route 309 (Sellersville Bypass) from Unionville Pike in Hatfield Township to just north of Rich Hill Road in Richland Township.

• U.S. 202/Markley Street Section 510Opens In A New Window in Montgomery County ($26.2 million): Reconstruct and improve Markley Street (U.S. 202 South) and its intersections between Main Street and Elm Street in Norristown.
  

District 6 anticipates repairing or replacing 79 structures, which includes 227,178 square feet of bridge deck area. This year's planned work also includes 234 miles of paving, 132 miles of seal coating, and 1,131 lane miles of crack sealing on state highways across southeast Pennsylvania.

As more construction projects get underway in the region, PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police and AAA Mid-Atlantic urged motorists to drive cautiously in work zones – for their safety and the safety of highway workers and pedestrians in close vicinity of a work zone.

"Please follow the Move Over Law and safe driving practices when driving through a work zone or emergency response area," said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Shyeasha Ayala. "Your actions and decisions when operating a vehicle can ensure the safety of yourself as well as others."

"Road construction and maintenance are necessary undertakings that keep roads safe and enhance our mobility in the long run, yet work zone-related crashes continue to rise, with 16 people a week dying nationally in these crashes," said Jana Tidwell, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. "We must continue to increase awareness among motorists of the dangers of navigating through work zone areas. A crash risk in a work zone can be significantly reduced if motorists simply slow down, remain alert, observe posted advisories, prepare for unusual driving conditions and practice patience. The lives of all road users and work zone crews depend on it."

In 2022, there were 318 crashes in work zones across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, with zero fatalities.

If you encounter work zones, PennDOT, PSP and AAA Mid-Atlantic encourage travelers to keep the following traffic safety tips in mind:

• Slow down;
• Drive the posted work-zone speed limit;
• Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road;
• Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers;
• Turn on your headlights if signs instruct you to do so;
• Maintain a safe distance around vehicles. Don't tailgate;
• Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly;
• Traffic patterns can change rapidly;
• When approaching lane closures, move into the open lane as soon as possible;
• If driving a large truck or bus, remember you have limited maneuverability, so proceed with caution; and
• Always buckle up.
  

To learn more about work zone safety and other PennDOT safety initiatives, visit PennDOT.gov/Safety.

For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.

Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov. 

Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

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