What’s Underway in 2010
Construction shifted to the middle of Route 309 north of Highland Avenue late in 2009 when crews removed the median and began excavating the pavement from the northbound and southbound inside/passing lanes. With the old pavement removed, the center section is being rebuilt to match the new elevation of the adjacent rebuilt lanes. A new concrete median barrier/glare screen also is being installed.
Simultaneously, the remaining sections of the northbound and southbound pavement north of McKean Road will be rebuilt. By mid-year, crews should complete these outside segments and begin rebuilding the remaining median section.
As the roadwork progresses, the western half of the new southbound bridge over Bethlehem Pike is being completed. The center sections of bridges over Loch Alsh Avenue, Butler Pike, Tennis Avenue and McKean Road are being refurbished, while the center areas of bridges over Susquehanna and Norristown roads are being completely rebuilt.
Improvements at Norristown Road
Work is now underway to complete improvements at the Norristown Road/Springhouse exit, including the new ramps at that interchange.
To complete the improvements at the interchange, a quarter-mile of Norristown Road extending on both sides of Route 309 is being excavated and reconstructed at a lower elevation to provide increased clearance under the expressway. An additional quarter-mile of Norristown Road beyond the reconstructed area also will be repaved.
During this operation, which will continue through the summer, motorists on Norristown Road will encounter periodic lane restrictions and turning restrictions on the two existing ramps. The new ramps will open once the paving work on Norristown Road is completed.
Work North of the Expressway
The southbound lanes of Bethlehem Pike approaching the expressway are being widened to add a third lane. When widening is completed, the remaining northbound and southbound pavement will be milled and resurfaced from north of the expressway through the intersection with English Village Drive, located just north of Route 63 (Welsh Road). This finished stretch of Route 309/Bethlehem Pike will carry three lanes in each direction.