Category: Construction Update

Three Bridges Completed, Two Under Construction on U.S. 1

Construction crews made significant progress on new bridges over the past winter, finishing the southbound bridge over the Turnpike ramps, completing much of the abutment and pier construction for the new southbound U.S. 1 bridge over the Neshaminy Creek, and beginning abutment and pier construction for the new northbound U.S. 1 bridge at the Penndel/Business U.S. 1 exit.

The bridge work and other construction is being done under two PennDOT projects (RC1, RC2) currently underway to improve U.S. 1 in Bucks County.

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RC2 Bridge Progress

Crews are putting the finishing touches on the supports for the new southbound U.S. 1 bridge over the Neshaminy Creek (see below), and preparing to set deck beams and begin deck construction later this spring. PennDOT’s contractor will finish the southbound structure this summer.

As work continues on the creek bridge, construction continues on two abutments and three piers for the new northbound U.S. 1 bridge over the rail lines and ramps at the Penndel/Business U.S. 1 interchange this spring. Installation of deck beams is expected this summer.

On U.S. 1 between the Turnpike Interchange and the Bristol Road overpass, the contractor will work this spring to prepare the median to carry traffic during upcoming traffic pattern shifts around the bridge work areas.

In addition, southbound embankment excavation has finished, and installation of the project’s stormwater drainage system is underway there. Northbound embankment excavation continues, with drainage work to follow. Embankments along both sides of U.S. 1 are being excavated for construction of a third travel lane in each direction from just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Bensalem Interchange to the Penndel/Business U.S. 1 Interchange.

At the Neshaminy Interchange, the contractor will shift traffic away from the Rockhill Drive median area and begin work to add a center pier for the new U.S. 1 overpass following completion of utility work later this spring.

The $110.9 million RC2 project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2026.

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RC1 Heading for Completion this Summer

With completion over the winter of the southbound side of the U.S. 1 bridge over the Turnpike ramps, new RC1 bridges are now in place over the Turnpike ramps, the Turnpike, and Street Road (Route 132).

Southbound U.S. 1 paving between Street Road (Route 132) and the commercial area approaching Old Lincoln Highway will be finished this spring, wrapping up major work on U.S. 1.

Reconstruction of the westbound side of Street Road through the U.S. 1 Interchange area continues until later this spring. The contractor will next install a permanent median barrier, then open the new ramp from Street Road to southbound U.S. 1 this summer to complete the work on the busy roadway.

As has been the case throughout construction, access to and from properties located on both sides of U.S. 1 will continue to be maintained until the $94 million RC1 project comes to a close in mid-2022. 

The contracts, RC1 and RC2, are part of PennDOT’s three-phase project to improve four miles of U.S. 1 in Bucks County by reconstructing and widening the pavement, building several bridges, and improving several interchanges along a continuous three-mile section of highway in Bensalem and Middletown townships.

PennDOT in 2014 completed $14.8 million in improvements at the U.S. 1/Maple Avenue Interchange in Middletown Township (see above) as part of their overall initiative to modernize and upgrade the U.S. 1 corridor in Bucks County.

U.S. 1 Bridge Construction Continues, Southbound U.S. 1 Paving Continues South of the Turnpike

Abutment and pier construction continue for the new U.S. 1 bridge over the Neshaminy Creek while abutment construction has started for the new U.S. 1 bridge over rail lines and the Penndel/U.S. 1 Business exit under one-of-two PennDOT projects currently underway to improve U.S. 1 in Bucks County.

RC2

Construction is underway through early 2022 on the north and south abutments and two in-stream piers for the new southbound bridge over the Neshaminy Creek (see below). Bridge beam setting and deck construction will then continue through winter as conditions permit, with placement of the concrete deck this spring and construction of the bridge finishing in early summer.

On U.S. 1 between the Turnpike Interchange and the Bristol Road overpass, the contractor continues to excavate the embankments along both sides of U.S. 1 for the construction of a third travel lane in each direction from just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Bensalem Interchange to the Penndel/U.S. 1 Business Interchange. Installation of drainage components will get underway in early 2022 along the southbound side of U.S. 1.

North of the Neshaminy Creek, the northbound ramp to U.S. 1 Business has been widened and construction has started on abutments and piers for the northbound structure over the Penndel Interchange and adjacent rail lines (see right), the project’s second set of large bridges. The new northbound structure is expected to be built by fall 2022.

At the Neshaminy Interchange, the contractor will continue drainage work and grading this winter in advance of construction to reconfigure and improve the interchange during a later stage of the project

The $110.9 million RC2 project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2026.

RC1

New southbound bridges are in place over the Turnpike and Street Road (Route 132), while the new southbound bridge over Turnpike’s ramps remains under construction (see below). The contractor will install parapets and tie-ins to the U.S. 1 bridge as conditions permit this winter. 

As construction continues on the final southbound bridge, southbound U.S. 1 paving between Street Road (Route 132) and the commercial area approaching Old Lincoln Highway will be finished over the winter if conditions permit.

The new southbound U.S. 1 ramp to Street Road (Route 132) has been completed and is now open (see below). After construction in the middle portion of Street Road wrapped up in late 2021, reconstruction of the westbound side of Street Road got underway. The new ramp from Street Road to southbound U.S. 1 will remain under construction until westbound widening on Street Road finishes in the spring. Eastbound Street Road reconstruction between Kingston Way and Old Lincoln Highway finished earlier in 2021. 

Access to and from properties located on both sides of U.S. 1 will continue to be maintained during construction.

Construction on the $94 million RC1 project will continue into mid-2022. 

The contracts, RC1 and RC2, are part of PennDOT’s three-phase project to improve four miles of U.S. 1 in Bucks County by reconstructing and widening the pavement, building several bridges, and improving several interchanges along a continuous three-mile section of highway in Bensalem and Middletown townships.

PennDOT in 2014 completed $14.8 million in improvements at the U.S. 1/Maple Avenue Interchange in Middletown Township as part of their overall initiative to modernize and upgrade the U.S. 1 corridor in Bucks County.

More than 190 construction projects underway worth more than $2.2 billion

King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Engineering District 6 is wrapping up an aggressive 2021 design and construction season that included 62 new contracts worth more than $540 million aimed at repairing and improving state highways and bridges across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

“We are pleased with the investments we were able to make into our roadways and bridges this year,” said Acting District 6 Executive Louis Belmonte. “We had several high-profile improvement projects that were completed or began in 2021, all with the goal of providing safe and efficient transportation for all modes of travel across southeast Pennsylvania.”

District 6 currently has more than 190 projects under construction valued at over $2.2 billion. Some of the most notable projects that were completed this year include:

• U.S. 422 Bridge Replacements – $98.3 million project that built new, wider bridges to improve travel and carry U.S. 422 motorists over the Schuylkill River, Norfolk Southern Railroad, South Trooper Road and Schuylkill River Trail in West Norriton, Upper Merion and Lower Providence townships, Montgomery County;
• Interstate 95 Section BS4 – $80.9 million project that enhanced traffic flow and surface street access to I-95 and the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange by widening and improving a section of Aramingo Avenue, building several new ramps, and extending Adams Avenue in the Frankford section of Philadelphia;
• Interstate 76 Viaduct Rehabilitation – $47.1 million contract that rehabilitated and resurfaced the I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) viaduct in Center City Philadelphia and repaired the three-span bridge over Route 23 (Conshohocken State Road) and several other I-76 structures in Montgomery County;
• Route 452 (Market Street Bridge) Replacement – $21.5 million project that replaced the bridge carrying Route 452 (Market Street) over Amtrak and SEPTA railroad tracks in Marcus Hook Borough and Lower Chichester Township, Delaware County; and
• Grays Ferry Bridge Rehabilitation – $15.3 million project that repaired and improved the bridge carrying Grays Ferry Avenue over the Schuylkill River, Amtrak/SEPTA and CSX railway tracks in Philadelphia.

Some of the most notable projects that began this year include:

• U.S. 1 Section RC2 – $96.6 million project to widen and improve a 1.5-mile section of the highway in Bensalem and Middletown townships, Bucks County;
• U.S. 202 (Dekalb Pike) Section 61S – $54.3 million project to improve, widen and reconstruct approximately 1.8 miles of U.S. 202 (Dekalb Pike) from Johnson Highway to Township Line Road in Norristown, and East Norriton and Whitpain townships, Montgomery County;
• Interstate 95 Section AF2 – $31.7 million project to reconstruct sections of Delaware, Allegheny and Castor avenues in Philadelphia to improve traffic movement on surface streets at the I-95 Allegheny Avenue/Castor Avenue Interchange;
• U.S. 1 Pavement Preservation – $13.7 million project to repair and resurface approximately six miles of U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) in Chadds Ford and Concord townships, Delaware County and Pennsbury Township, Chester County; and
• County Line Road Improvement – $11 million project to reconstruct and improve a three-mile section of County Line Road in Warrington Township, Bucks County and Horsham Township, Montgomery County.

“We pride ourselves on taking an aggressive approach with our construction program in an effort to move crucial projects forward to enhance, reinforce and maintain our extensive transportation network,” Assistant District 6 Executive for Construction Harold Windisch said.

PennDOT owns and maintains more than 2,800 state bridges across the region, 345 of which are currently listed in poor condition. In 2021, District 6 was able to repair or replace 14 state bridges.

“It is crucial that we continue to deliver road and bridge projects from design to construction to significantly reduce the backlog of our pavement and bridge demands across the region,” PennDOT Assistant District 6 Executive for Design Chuck Davies said.

Across District 6, more than 124 miles of state highway were resurfaced in 2021.

The pothole season was extremely active for District 6 maintenance forces following a severe 2020-21 winter season. PennDOT maintenance crews across the region used more than 30,000 tons of asphalt to patch potholes and performed crack sealing operations on 336 miles of state highway to repair pavement.

“Maintaining our transportation system is paramount to extending the life of our highways and bridges, PennDOT Assistant District 6 Executive for Maintenance John Krafczyk said. “The longer life equates to money saved by deferring the need for major rehabilitation and replacement projects.”

District 6 responded to more than 6,000 pothole inquiries through PennDOT’s Customer Care Center in 2021, a 120 percent increase from the previous year.

District 6 continues to manage the challenges from the flood damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida in early September. PennDOT staff are working aggressively to make the necessary repairs under current contracts or program new projects to safely reopen damaged bridges and highways to travelers. Most of the repair work is complete or underway, however, there are several state bridges and highways that remain closed across the region due to various storm-related damage.

For a complete list of storm damage closures or 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.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov. 

New U.S. 1 Neshaminy Creek Bridge Construction, Southbound U.S. 1 Paving South of the Turnpike

Excavation and bridge construction mark the progress of work to widen and improve U.S. 1 north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike as paving on the southbound side of U.S. 1 from Old Lincoln Highway to the Turnpike underway this fall.

The contracts, RC1 and RC2, are part of PennDOT’s three-phase project to improve four miles of U.S. 1 in Bucks County by reconstructing and widening the pavement, building several bridges, and improving several interchanges along a continuous three-mile section of highway in Bensalem and Middletown townships.

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RC1

New southbound bridges are in place over the Turnpike (see below) and Street Road (Route 132) while the new southbound bridge over Turnpike’s ramps remains under construction through early 2022.

As construction continues on the final southbound bridge, southbound paving between Street Road (Route 132) and the commercial area approaching Old Lincoln Highway is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The new southbound U.S. 1 ramp to Street Road (Route 132) has been completed and is now open (see right). The new ramp from Street Road to southbound U.S. 1 remains under construction until next spring.

On Street Road (Route 132), eastbound reconstruction between Kingston Way and Old Lincoln Highway has finished. When median construction wraps up later this year, eastbound and westbound traffic will be shifted onto the new eastbound and median pavement. Westbound reconstruction will follow and continue through next spring as conditions permit.

Access to and from properties located on both sides of U.S. 1 will continue to be maintained during construction.

Construction on the $94 million RC1 project will continue into mid-2022. 

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RC2

Construction is underway through the end of the year on the north and south abutments and two in-stream piers for the new southbound bridge over the Neshaminy Creek. Beam placement and deck construction will begin in early winter and continue through early 2022 as conditions permit.

Also this fall, excavation will continue behind temporary barriers along both sides of U.S. 1 north of the Turnpike Interchange for the construction of retaining walls and embankments that will support construction of a third travel lane, along with an auxiliary lane, in each direction from just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Bensalem Interchange to the Penndel/U.S. 1 Business Interchange. 

Abutment construction has started on the northbound structure over the Penndel Interchange and adjacent rail lines, the project’s second set of large bridges. Work on the northbound structure will continue in coordination with utility relocations.

Excavation to widen the northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp from Business 1/Penndel also is underway.

Utility relocation work will occur periodically at the Neshaminy Interchange, which will be reconfigured and improved during a later stage of the project.  Improvements to the interchanges will meet current design standards for ramps and acceleration/deceleration lanes.

The $110.9 million RC2 project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2026.

PennDOT in 2014 completed $14.8 million in improvements at the U.S. 1/Maple Avenue Interchange in Middletown Township as part of their overall initiative to modernize and upgrade the U.S. 1 corridor in Bucks County.

U.S. 1 Under Construction for Three Miles in Bucks County

Construction continues this summer in Lower Bucks County on two adjacent contracts to improve U.S. 1 by reconstructing and widening the pavement, building several bridges, and improving several interchanges along a continuous three-mile section of highway in Bensalem and Middletown townships.

The contracts, RC1 and RC2, are part of PennDOT’s three-phase project to improve four miles of U.S. 1 in Bucks County.

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RC1

Reconstruction of the southbound side of U.S. 1 from Old Lincoln Highway to north of the Turnpike continues to progress this summer, highlighted by construction on bridges over the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Turnpike ramps, and Street Road (Route 132).

Deck construction is underway on the northbound side of the new bridges over the Turnpike and Street Road (Route 132). Placement of the new concrete decks on both new spans is expected in late summer. Abutment construction will continue through the summer on the new northbound bridge over Turnpike ramps with deck construction in the fall.

As bridge construction continues, subsurface utilities and parts of the stormwater drainage system also are being installed along the southbound side of the U.S. 1 roadway, and sound walls are being installed along the southbound side between Street Road (Route 132) and the commercial area approaching Old Lincoln Highway.

The new southbound U.S. 1 ramps to and from Street Road (Route 132) remain closed, except for the ramp from U.S. 1 that is temporarily being used to connect to eastbound and westbound Street Road.

On Street Road (Route 132), eastbound reconstruction continues in coordination with construction of the southbound side of the U.S. 1 overpass. 

Access to and from properties located on both sides of U.S. 1 will continue to be maintained during construction.

Construction on the $94 million RC1 project will continue into mid-2022. 

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RC2

Excavation continues behind concrete barriers along both sides of U.S. 1 north of the Turnpike Interchange for the construction of retaining walls and embankments. The walls and embankments will support construction of a third travel lane, along with an auxiliary lane, in each direction from just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Bensalem Interchange through the Penndel/Business U.S. 1  Interchange.

Foundations for abutments and piers for the new southbound bridge over the Neshaminy Creek are under construction (see above). Once foundations are in place, crews will begin the methodical work of building the supports for the new structure.

Work on the project’s second set of large bridges, which will replace the bridges over the Penndel Interchange and adjacent rail lines, will begin later this year after the existing utility lines are relocated.

Excavation to widen the northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp from Business U.S. 1/Penndel also is underway (see right). Construction to reconfigure and improve the Neshaminy Interchange will be done during a later stage of the project. Improvements to the interchanges will meet current design standards for ramps and acceleration/deceleration lanes.

The $110.9 million RC2 project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2026.

PennDOT in 2014 completed $14.8 million in improvements at the U.S. 1/Maple Avenue Interchange in Middletown Township as part of their overall initiative to modernize and upgrade the U.S. 1 corridor in Bucks County.

U.S. 1 Construction Expands North as Phase Two Begins

PennDOT’s three-phase project to improve U.S. 1 in Bucks County expanded this spring to include widening a 1.5-mile section north of the Turnpike that includes upgrading the Neshaminy and Penndel interchanges and constructing new bridges over Rockhill Drive, the Neshaminy Creek, and the SEPTA and CSX rail complex north of the creek.

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RC2

A construction barrier is in place along the northbound and southbound shoulders of U.S. 1 from the north side of the Neshaminy Interchange through the Penndel/Business U.S. 1 Interchange. Working behind the barrier, the contractor will excavate the northbound and southbound embankments along U.S. 1.

 

As work progresses over the coming months, the Section RC2 contractor will begin building retaining walls that will support construction of a third travel lane, along with an auxiliary lane, in each direction from just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Bensalem Interchange to the Penndel/U.S. 1 Business Interchange.

Following construction of access roads this spring, foundations for abutments and support piers for the new southbound bridges over the creek and the rail lines will start and continue through the remainder of 2021.

Activities also will get underway this spring at the Neshaminy and Penndel/Business U.S. 1 interchanges, which will be reconfigured and improved to meet current design standards for all ramps and acceleration/deceleration lanes. 

JD Eckman, Inc., of Atglen, PA, is general contractor on the $110.9 million RC2 project, which is financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds. Section RC2 construction is scheduled be completed in mid-2026.
 

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RC1

Reconstruction of the southbound side of U.S. 1 also continues this spring from Old Lincoln Highway to north of the Turnpike, including the remaining sections of new bridges over Street Road, the Turnpike and the Turnpike ramps.

Demolition of the bridges carrying U.S. 1 over the Turnpike and its ramps, and over Street Road (partially) has been completed, and construction of abutment walls for the new bridges is underway (see above).

Foundations for sound walls that will be installed south of the Street Road (Route 132) Interchange also is underway along the southbound side.

As bridge construction continues, installation of subsurface utilities and parts of the stormwater drainage system is underway on the southbound side of US 1 (see right).

The new southbound U.S. 1 ramp to and from Street Road (Route 132) is partially completed and in use for southbound U.S. 1 traffic heading in either direction on Street Road.

On Street Road (Route 132), reconstruction of the middle section of that roadway under the U.S. 1 overpass is being coordinated with construction of the southbound side of the U.S. 1 overpass.

Periodic off-peak or nighttime lane closures will be in place in both directions on U.S. 1 during ongoing construction in both work areas.

Access to and from properties located on both sides of U.S. 1 will continue to be maintained during construction.

Construction of the new Bristol Road overpass is progressing and headed for completion this summer (see above).

Current construction on the $94 million project (RC1) is the first of three PennDOT contracts (RC2, RC3) that will improve more than four miles of U.S. 1 from Old Lincoln Highway in Bensalem Township through Langhorne Borough and Langhorne Manor to north of the Route 413 Interchange in Middletown Township, Bucks County, over the next seven-plus years. 

PennDOT in 2014 completed $14.8 million in improvements at the U.S. 1/Maple Avenue Interchange in Middletown Township as part of their overall initiative to modernize and upgrade the U.S. 1 corridor in Bucks County.

Alan Myers Construction, of Worcester, PA, is the general contractor on the $94 million project RC1 project.