12 Days Of Change Ahead For 422 At Boulevard
POTTSTOWN PA – Change is coming, again, to traffic patterns on U.S. Route 422 near the Armand Hammer Boulevard interchange in Lower Pottsgrove. Construction crews are preparing to open the newly built eastbound bridge (above) across the Schuylkill River to motorists and close the companion westbound bridge for demolition, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported Thursday (June 18, 2015).
Additionally, the Armand Hammer interchange on-ramp to 422 West will close for three months beginning July 1 (Wednesday) so it too can be rebuilt, which will create a new detour for a westbound traffic entrance.
Work by contractor J.D. Atglen Inc. of Atglen PA to enable lane shifts that will carry drivers in both directions across the new bridge began Friday (June 19).
Be forewarned: the process is likely to cause delays and require driver caution. Here’s what PennDOT’s District 6 office in King of Prussia describes as the work to be done within the next 12 days and its resulting consequences for commuters:
- Friday: Crews started at 7 p.m. to paint traffic lines and install concrete barriers on eastbound U.S. 422. When they’re finished, probably by today (Saturday, June 20) at 5 p.m., two lanes of eastbound traffic will be shifted onto the newly constructed bridge. 422 East motorists should allow additional time for travel, PennDOT said.
- June 29 (Monday): Again at 7 p.m., crews intend to begin painting traffic lines and installing barriers to move two lanes of westbound 422 traffic also to the new bridge. That should be completed by July 1 at 5 a.m.
- June 30 (Tuesday): The Yost Road (westbound) 422 on-ramp for the Armand Hammer interchange off Industrial Highway will be barricaded and closed at 7 p.m. for a period of about three months so it can be reconstructed. During the closure, motorists will be detoured over Armand Hammer Boulevard, East High Street and Evergreen Road to access U.S. 422 West there. Allow extra time for travel, PennDOT repeated.
- July 1 (Wednesday): Dismantling of the existing westbound bridge near Armand Hammer gets under way, followed by construction of its replacement.
The phased project costing more than $73 million includes the new 422 structures over the Schuylkill River and additional structures over Norfolk South Railroad tracks; rebuilding 422 from the Schuylkill River bridge to the Porter Road overpass; installing new median barriers; replacing the Armand Hammer Boulevard bridge that crosses 422; improving and realigning ramps at the boulevard interchange; reconstructing and realigning the ramp from Route 724 to 422 east; improving storm water drainage; erecting three overhead sign structures; installing conduit for future “intelligent transportation” equipment; and installing new guide rail and signs.
For more information on the project, visit its website here.
Related:
Photo from 422Improvements.com
