Chesco & Montco: Little Flags Everywhere

VALLEY FORGE —Motorists, runners and cyclists may wonder why there are flags of every color in the rainbow along Gulph Road in Tredyffrin and Upper Merion townships leading up to and in Valley Forge National Park.

Each color represents a different type of underground work. The two primary projects being done this spring and summer are replacing water lines and gas lines.

The blue flags represent Aqua water.

On Monday morning, Aqua will begin a water main project along Gulph Road from the park to the Pennsylvania Turnpike along Richards and Glenhardie roads.

Aqua plans to work in the park along Gulph Road in Upper Merion for two months.

Then, Aqua will move to the second phase of the water project, working in Tredyffrin Township for an additional four to five months.

The yellow flags represent PECO’s gas line project.

At the same time as the Aqua project, PECO is working on installing new natural gas lines. The gas line project is also along Upper Gulph, West Valley and Walker roads.

The work is part of a $3 million project to modernize PECO’s natural gas system. The project includes replacing existing natural gas mains and bare steel natural gas service lines with new plastic pipes.

PECO officials said the new pipes enhance safety and are more durable.

The PECO work is scheduled from 7:30 a.m.to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Restoration and repaving will begin within 45 days of the natural gas construction.

The work requires excavating the road to access the natural gas equipment, which may require temporary lane closures.

Indoor natural gas meters will be relocated outdoors.

If you smell natural gas, please call PECO at 610-832-6420 or email GasWorksInquiries@exeloncorp.com

Other flags along the roadways represent smaller projects.

• Green represents storm water.
• Orange represents communication companies.
• Pink represents design work.

At the time, the Glenhardie neighborhood of Tredyffrin Township will continue to be impacted by an ongoing project to widen the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Thomas Road and Glenhardie Road are closed to motorists on alternating weeks for bridge replacements over the turnpike.

The entrance to the Valley Forge Park at Thomas Road is also closed.