Expect more overnight lane closures on the Schuylkill this week

Drivers on Interstate 76 in Montgomery County will encounter more overnight lane closures and brief traffic stoppages this week starting Monday, Feb. 7, and continuing through Friday, Feb. 11, for construction at the Interstate 476 Interchange (Exit 331) in West Conshohocken, according to a release issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Weather permitting, eastbound and westbound I-76 will be reduced to one lane at the I-476 interchange on Monday through Friday, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. Fifteen-minute traffic stoppages may also occur in either direction from midnight to 5 a.m.

Lane closures will be in effect on I-76 while crews install protective shielding and platforms on the undersides of the I-476 bridges over I-76 and replace expansion joints on the overhead structures.

This work is part of the final stage of PennDOT’s $71.7 million project to rebuild the 3.2 miles of I-476 between the I-76 (Exit 16) and Germantown Pike (Exit 20) interchanges in Montgomery County.

Periodic daytime “rolling” lane closures may be in place in either direction in the I-476 work zone between I-76 (Exit 16) and Germantown Pike (Exit 20) on Monday through Friday, Feb. 7 to 11, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for line painting. PennDOT’s contractor may take advantage of dry pavement conditions and moderate temperatures to re-apply work zone lane markings that may be fading due to the winter’s ongoing snow removal and de-icing operations.

In addition, lane closures may occur on Chemical Road between Gallagher Road and Ridge Pike in Plymouth Township on Monday through Friday, Feb. 7 to 11, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for construction on the overhead I-476 span.  

Motorists are reminded to slow to the posted 45 mph speed limit and remain alert for shifting traffic patterns in the work zone.

Allan A. Myers, LP, of Worcester, is the general contractor on the $71,728,383 contract that is financed with 100 percent federal funds.

For more information on the I-476 improvement project, visit www.476blueroute.com.

PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on I-476 and other major highways before heading out.