Route 202 Parkway
Route 202 Parkway construction is moving steadily toward completion in fall 2012. PennDOT is investing more than $200 million in state funds to build the new nine-mile long parkway in Bucks and Montgomery counties and to improve roads approaching the parkway’s entrances. With construction finished on the southern section between Route 63 (Welsh Road) and Route 463 (Horsham Road), contractors are busy building the roadway and completing the multi-use path from Route 463 (Horsham Road) in Montgomery Township to Route 611 in Doylestown Township. All bridges along the parkway have been built except for the new structure that will carry Pickertown Road over the parkway. Other operations in progress include traffic signal, sign structure and guide rail installations, landscaping, and the application of pavement markings. Crews also are widening County Line Road, where it will intersect with the parkway between Stump Road and Route 202, and both Route 202 (DeKalb Pike) and Route 63 (Welsh Road) at the southern end where the parkway will connect with both roadways. For more information on the Route 202 Parkway, visit us202-700.com.
Castle Valley Bridge (Lower State Road)
PennDOT announced that northbound and southbound Lower State Road will be closed and detoured between Bristol Road and Tamened Avenue in Doylestown Township, Bucks County, beginning Monday, Jan. 9, for bridge replacement. Northbound Lower State Road was closed April 18, 2011. The project was originally scheduled to finish in August 2012, but the completion date was pushed back to June 2013 due to utility and construction delays due to the Route 202 Parkway project. With a total closure the new bridge is expected to open in Dec. 2012. “We decided that it would be better to close Lower State Road to expedite the completion of the new bridge,” PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso said. “The project was delayed by utility relocation issues and Lower State Road being used as a detour for a section of the Route 202 Parkway project.” During construction, northbound and southbound Lower State Road through traffic will be detoured over Bristol Road, Route 202 (Butler Pike) and Tamened Avenue. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area. Crews are replacing the existing five-span, reinforced concrete T-beam bridge with a new three-span, composite pre-stressed concrete I-beam structure.
Bridge on Burnt House Hill Road, Buckingham Township
The Burnt House Hill Road Bridge was closed on Sept. 21, 2011, due to structural damage resulting from Tropical Storm Lee. The work includes structural reinforcement underneath the support abutments and repairs to the stone masonry barrier and walls. Column Construction, Inc. of Glenmore, Chester County, was awarded the $324,592 project that is expected to be completed by April 12, 2012. The contractor is currently obtaining required environmental clearances and permits.
Point Pleasant Pike
PennDOT closed Point Pleasant Pike between Route 32 (River Road) and Tollgate Road in Tinicum and Plumstead townships, Bucks County in Oct. 2010 for the reconstruction of the deteriorated roadway. The plan calls for rebuilding the road between Route 32 (River Road) and Tollgate Road. In addition, new guide rail and concrete barriers will be installed and three retaining walls constructed. The retaining walls, which will vary in height up to 12 feet, will be covered with a stone concrete form-liner and painted match the local rock. The improvements also include stabilizing the embankments along Geddes Run; improving drainage to ease erosion along the north side of Point Pleasant Pike; installing rock-lined channels to carry storm water from Point Pleasant Pike to Geddes Run; and repointing and cleaning the stone wall at the Tohickon Hill Road Bridge. J.D. Eckman Inc. of Atglen, Chester County is the general contractor on the $6 million project that is financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds. Construction is expected to finish in December 2012.
UPDATE EFFECTIVE 1/31/2012
All of the wall posts (60 total) for retaining walls 1 and 2 are now at the fabrication facility. They will be cut to length, galvanized, painted and then delivered to the job site for installation sometime in early March. Preparation work on the ditches and installation of pipe outlets successfully continue.
Point Pleasant Pike Bridge
PennDOT is currently in preliminary design to replace the existing two-span reinforced concrete arch bridge that carries two travel lanes and one sidewalk over the Tohickon Creek. A recommendation for the alternative that will have the least amount of impact on both the Point Pleasant Historic District and Point Pleasant Community Park is under review. The new structure will be a two-span, pre-cast concrete arch which will resemble the existing Point Pleasant bridge. The structure will use the existing stone masonry and utilize an open barrier to give drivers a view of Tohickon Creek. One sidewalk will be maintained on the proposed structure. Drivers will be detoured over a temporary bridge during construction. Final Design is expected to be completed and the project will be put out for bids by the end of 2012.
Headquarters Road Bridge at Sheephole
Headquarters Road at Sheephole Road in Tinicum Township remains closed between Red Hill Road and Tankhannen Road due to severe structural deterioration of the bridge over Tinicum Creek. A Section 106 consulting parties meeting will be scheduled in early February. This meeting will be with organizations and individuals that have demonstrated an interest in the historic status of the bridge and its value as a cultural resource to the community. The design team is currently developing an alternatives analysis for possible design configurations and features that the bridge may have as requested by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Environmental Protection and the National Park Service.
Headquarters Road Bridge at Tettermer Road
Construction began in March 2011 to build the new Headquarters Road Bridge near Tettemer Road on a new alignment in order to remove a curve on the road. Crews are building a reinforced concrete arch bridge that is 16 feet long and 24 wide. The bridge walls will be adorned with a stone veneer. Tettemer Road is being realigned to create a T-intersection at Headquarters Road. The bridge is scheduled to open in May 2012. This bridge is one of two on Headquarters Road that PennDOT is replacing under a $1.8 million project. Crews also are building a new Headquarters Road bridge over Little Tinicum Creek at Cafferty Road. J.D. Eckman, Inc. of Atglen, is the general contractor on the $1,859,743 project that is financed with 100 percent state funds.
Headquarters Road Bridge at Cafferty Road
PennDOT began construction on July 18, 2011, to replace the structurally deficient Headquarters Road Bridge over Little Tinicum Creek at the intersection of Cafferty Road in Tinicum Township, Bucks County. This bridge is one of two on Headquarters Road that PennDOT is replacing under a $1.8 million project. PennDOT’s contractor is removing the old bridge and replacing it with a reinforced concrete box beam structure. The new span will be 30 feet long and 25 feet wide, and the bridge walls will be adorned with a stone veneer to provide a natural stone appearance. The new bridge is scheduled to reopen in May 2012. This contract also includes the construction of the new Headquarters Road bridge over Little Tinicum Creek near the intersection of Tettemer Road.
Route 611 Bridge over Gallows Run
The Route 611 Bridge over Gallows Run project includes the replacement of two structures with one wider bridge that will be realigned on Route 611 (Easton Road) where it intersects Route 32 (River Road). Construction bids were opened on Nov. 10, 2011. Work is expected to start in Feb. 2012 and finish in November 2012. PennDOT will make every effort to minimize detours. Blooming Glen Contractors Inc. of Blooming Glen, Bucks County, is the general contractor on the $2,959,000 project.
Bridgeton Hill Road Bridge
The Bridgeton Hill Road bridge replacement project over the Delaware Canal also includes improvements to the tow path for Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In addition to building a new bridge, the contractor will also reconstruct the northwest retaining wall, and replace signs and pavement markings. Construction bids are expected to be opened in June 2012 with construction beginning late summer 2012. The project is expected to take approximately one year to build.
Riegelsville Canal Bridge
Final engineering plans are being prepared for the replacement of the Delaware Road Bridge over the Delaware Canal. The proposed new bridge will be a concrete box beam structure that will have an ornamental red wooden truss. The bridge will have two 11-foot travel lanes and no sidewalks. Pedestrian and bicycle access across the canal is provided by the pedestrian bridge built by Riegelsville Borough downstream. Vehicular traffic will be detoured over a temporary bridge to be built downstream next to the pedestrian span. A state waterway permit has been submitted and is under review by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Construction bids are scheduled to be opened in fall 2012.