King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that construction activities beginning this week will reduce northbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) to a single lane under a $35.8 million project to replace the northbound and southbound bridges that carry the highway over Darby Creek in Prospect Park Borough and Tinicum Township, Delaware County.
Motorists are advised of the following travel restriction:
- Friday, October 20, through Friday, October 27, from 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM the following morning, northbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) will be reduced to a single lane between I-95 and 4th Avenue for excavation, paving and barrier adjustment.
Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work area because significant backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.
Drivers are reminded that southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) will continue to be reduced to a single lane between 4th Avenue and I-95 until the new structures are complete.
During the long-term lane closure, oversized vehicles over 10-feet-wide will be prohibited from using southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) through the project limits. Drivers will be directed to use U.S. 13 (Chester Pike), Stewart Avenue and Route 291 (Industrial Highway) to access Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) south of I-95.
Access to southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) from Lazaretto Road will be prohibited for all motorists. Motorists will be directed to follow the posted detour route to access southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue).
Access to northbound and southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) from Lafayette Avenue at 2nd Avenue will be prohibited for all motorists except emergency vehicles. Motorists will be directed to follow the posted detour routes to access northbound and southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue).
Under this project, PennDOT's contractor will replace the superstructure and substructure of the northbound and southbound bridges over Darby Creek. In-stream work including causeways and cofferdams will be utilized for construction of the replacement structures. Rock protection will also be used for both structures, and streambed stabilization and replacement of the fender system will be included as part of the site improvements.
In addition, existing lighting on the bridges will be replaced or upgraded, and a pedestrian trail crossing will be constructed under the structures adjacent to the southern abutments. The trail will provide a connection to the adjacent John Heinz Wildlife Refuge. The 8-10 foot wide shared-use path will be built on the western side of Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) to the north of Darby Creek. A shared-use path will also be constructed on both sides of Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) south of Darby Creek and connect to the existing parking lots at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
The existing southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) bridge is a 237-foot-long, three-span, prestressed concrete composite adjacent box beam bridge. The structure is currently posted for 30 tons and 40 tons in combination and is listed in poor condition due to the deterioration and section loss of bridge elements.
The existing northbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) bridge is a 232-foot-long, three-span, prestressed concrete composite adjacent box beam bridge. The northbound bridge, which is currently listed in fair condition, is deteriorating and in need of extensive repairs.
Richard E. Pierson Construction Co. Inc. of Pilesgrove, NJ, is the general contractor on this bridge replacement project, which is financed with 100 percent federal funds.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
For a complete list of 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.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.
Follow PennDOT on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact: Brad Rudolph, bradrudolph@pa.gov
# # #