Nighttime Lane Closures Scheduled For Blue Route Next Week

According to a release issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), nighttime lane closures are scheduled next week, March 26-30, on Interstate 476 (Blue Route) for sign structure work that is part of the $71 million project to improve the highway between the Interstate 76 (Exit 16) and Germantown Pike (Exit 20) interchanges.

On Monday, March 26, two of the three southbound lanes will be closed between the Ridge Pike (Exit 18) and I-76 (Exit 16) interchanges from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, and one of the three northbound lanes will be closed between the Ridge Pike (Exit 18) and Germantown Pike (Exit 20) interchanges from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 27.

On Tuesday, March 27, two of the three northbound lanes will be closed between the Route 30 (Exit 13) and Ridge Pike (Exit 18) interchanges from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, and one of the three southbound lanes will be closed between the Germantown Pike (Exit 20) and Ridge Pike (Exit 18) interchanges from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Mar. 28.

On Wednesday, March 28, two of the three northbound lanes will be closed between the Route 30 (Exit 13) and Ridge Pike (Exit 18) interchanges from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday, March 29, and one of the three southbound lanes will be closed between the Ridge Pike (Exit 18) and I-76 (Exit 16) interchanges from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday, March 29.

On Thursday, March 29, two of the three southbound lanes will be closed between the Germantown Pike (Exit 20) and I-76 (Exit 16) interchanges from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, March 30, and one of three northbound lanes will be closed between the Ridge Pike (Exit 18) and Germantown Pike (Exit 20) interchanges from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, March 30.

In addition, eastbound Ridge Pike will be reduced to a single lane between Alan Wood Road and the I-476 Interchange in Plymouth Township from 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, to 5 a.m. Thursday, March 29, for pavement repairs.

Motorists are advised to allow additional time for travel on I-476 during construction because slowdowns are expected to occur. 

This operation is part of PennDOT’s substantially-completed project to rebuild 3.2 miles of I-476 between the I-76 (Exit 16) and Germantown Pike (Exit 20) interchanges. Crews will work the next few months to erect 26 new sign structures on the interstate. The project is scheduled to finish in August 2012.

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 financed with 100% federal funds.

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