New Sumneytown Pike Bridge in Towamencin to Open Monday

All that headache at Sumneytown Pike and the Northeast Extension entrance is about to clear up.

On Friday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced that the new bridge on Sumneytown Pike over I-476 in Towamencin Township will open to traffic during the day Monday, Sept. 23.

The $12.4 million contract to replace the 55-year-old bridge began in October 2011 by Loftus Construction Inc. of New Jersey. Since then, traffic was reduced to a single lane on Sumneytown Pike between Old Forty Foot Road and Towamencin Avenue.

The two-stage bridge reconstruction is similar to a 2008 bridge replacement at Walton Road and DeKalb Pike in Whitpain Township. 

Along with the new bridge, Loftus Construction reconfigured Sumneytown Pike and Old Forty Foot Road. There were new utilities, signs and pavement installed, and new drainage modifications, per the PTC.

Once the bridge reopens, Loftus Construction will continue with construction work adjacent to the bridge, with no impacts to traffic. 

All work is expected to wrap up Oct. 14. 

According to the PTC, the Sumneytown Pike bridge is the third overpass to be constructed ahead of the Pennsylvania Turnpike widening project. Sumneytown Pike's bridge follows in the path of the Kriebel Road and Morris Road bridges.  

Up next on the construction list: Bridge replacement on Bustard Road and improvements to the Lansdale Interchange ramps, as soon as Spring 2014.