Lane Closures on Schuylkill and Blue Route This Week

According to a release issued by PennDOT, roadwork is scheduled next week, April 29 through May 3, on the $71 million project to improve Interstate 476 between the Interstate 76 (Exit 16) and Germantown Pike (Exit 20) interchanges in Montgomery County. 

Drivers will face overnight lane closures on I-476 and I-76 as crews diamond-grind the new concrete pavement, seal pavement joints and prepare to erect new sign structures.

Construction is substantially finished on the I-476 improvement project and crews will be working through the summer to complete these final items of work. The project is scheduled to finish in August 2012.

The contractor’s upcoming work schedule is as follows:

• On Sunday, April 29, one of the three northbound lanes on I-476 will be closed at the I-76 (Exit 16) Interchange from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. 
• On Monday, April 30, one of the three northbound lanes on I-476 will be closed between I-76 (Exit 16) and Ridge Pike (Exit 18A) from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a second northbound lane closing from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1; westbound I-76 will be reduced to one lane at the I-476 Interchange (Exit 331) from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• On Tuesday, May 1, one of the three northbound lanes on I-476 will be closed between I-76 (Exit 16) and Ridge Pike (Exit 18A) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.; eastbound and westbound I-76 will be reduced to one lane at the I-476 Interchange (Exit 331) from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• On Wednesday, May 2, eastbound I-76 will be reduced to one lane at the I-476 Interchange (Exit 331) from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.; lane shifts and brief stoppages will occur at I-476’s exit ramps at Chemical Road, Ridge Pike and I-76 on Thursday, May 3, from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• On Thursday, May 3, one of the three northbound lanes on I-476 will be closed between Ridge Pike (Exit 18A) and Chemical Road (Exit 18B) from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a second northbound lane closing from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, May 4; eastbound I-76 will be reduced to one lane at the I-476 Interchange (Exit 331) 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

In addition, brief traffic stoppages may occur in either direction on I-476 and on ramps at the I-76 (Exit 16), Ridge Pike (Exit 18A) and Chemical Road (Exit 18B) interchanges from midnight to 5 a.m.

The contractor’s schedule is dependent on the weather. 

Drivers are advised to be aware of sudden slowing and congestion approaching the work zone and to allow extra time for travel through the area.

PennDOT’s contractor rebuilt the southbound side of I-476 in 2010 and the northbound side in 2011.

Allan A. Myers, LP, of Worcester, is the general contractor on the $71,728,383 contract that is being financed entirely with federal funds. For more information on the I-476 improvement project, visit www.476blueroute.com.