NIGHTTIME LANE CLOSURES ON I-476 NEXT WEEK
Motorists on I-476 (Blue Route) in Montgomery County will encounter nighttime lane restrictions during the week of Jan. 4-8 for construction activities between the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Mid-County Interchange and the I-76 Interchange, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced today.
The contractor's upcoming schedule is as follows:
- Southbound I-476 will be reduced from three lanes to two from the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Mid-County Interchange (Exit 20) to the I-76 Interchange (Exit 16) Monday through Thursday, from 10 p.m. each evening until 5 a.m. the following morning.
- Southbound I-476 will be reduced from three lanes to one from the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Mid-County Interchange (Exit 20) to the Ridge Pike Interchange (Exit 18) Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 p.m. each evening until 5 a.m. the following morning. The Turnpike’s southbound EZPass express lanes will be closed during this operation as well.
- Northbound I-476 will be reduced from three lanes to two from the I-76 Interchange (Exit 16) to the Ridge Pike Interchange (Exit 18) Monday through Thursday, from 10 p.m. each evening until 5 a.m. the following morning.
In addition to the lane closures, motorists should remain alert for shifting traffic patterns on the Ridge Pike (Exit 18) on- and off-ramps during the planned construction activities.
Motorists using I-476 should remain alert for slowdowns and expect delays approaching the construction areas, especially when the two-lane closure is in place on southbound I-476.
The work schedule is dependent on the weather.
PennDOT is continuing the initial stage of a $71.7 million project to replace I-476's deteriorated concrete pavement; rehabilitate six dual mainline bridges and one overhead structure; rebuild and widen the highway's shoulders; improve storm water drainage; remediate an area prone to sinkholes; and install 17 new sign structures.
The project is financed with 100 percent federal funds, including $3.5 million of economic recovery money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Work to rehabilitate I-476's Schuylkill River Bridge (Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge) is being done under a separate $47.3 million contract to re-deck and refurbish the deck's structural components.
For more information, and to sign up for e-mail alerts about this project, visit www.476blueroute.com.