Phase 4: Northern Section Reconstruction
Mainline reconstruction of 3.2 miles of I-476/Blue Route between Exit 16 and Exit 20 got underway in 2010 with rebuilding of the southbound side. The work area stretches from the I-76/Schuylkill Expressway Interchange in West Conshohocken to the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Mid-County Interchange in Plymouth Township.
The $71.7 million project is financed with 100 percent federal funds, including $3.5 million of economic recovery money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The busy Montgomery County section of I-476 -- which carries 128,000-to-145,000 vehicles per day -- will be completely rebuilt over the course of approximately two years. Reconstruction of the southbound side is being coordinated with work on the southbound I-476 bridge over the Schuylkill River. (See Phase 3 construction).
The plan consists of
- Replacing I-476’s deteriorated concrete pavement, which currently is covered with an asphalt overlay,
- Rehabilitating six dual mainline bridges and one overhead structure,
- Rebuilding and widening the highway’s shoulders,
- Improving storm water drainage,
- Remediating an area prone to sinkholes, and
- Installing 17 new sign structures.
PennDOT plans to keep three travel lanes open in each direction on I-476 during construction, except during overnight hours.
At the start of southbound construction in mid-March 2010, the contractor instituted an “express lane” pattern along this three-mile section of highway similar to what is currently in place on I-476 where PennDOT is rebuilding the twin bridges carrying I-476 over the Schuylkill River just north of the I-76 Interchange.
The “express lane” pattern places one travel lane on the opposite side of the highway within the construction zone to keep three travel lanes open in each direction and to expedite construction by providing the contractor with a larger area in which to work.