District 6 Accomplishments

U.S 1 Bucks County Widening & Improvement Projects (Sections RC1 & RC2)

Section RC1, the first of three construction projects for PennDOT’s $95 million U.S. 1 Bucks Improvement Project, will be completed this summer after nearly four years of construction to widen and improve the roadway between the Turnpike Interchange and Old Lincoln Highway. Section RC2 remains focused on the construction of new U.S. 1 bridges over the Neshaminy Creek and the Penndel/Business U.S. 1 Interchange.

Beginning in the Fall 2018, Section RC1 included improvements to U.S. 1, Street Road (Route 132), and Bristol Road, in addition to interchange improvements at the U.S. 1/Street Road Interchange and the U.S. 1/Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange.

Street Road (Route 132) also was reconstructed and widened to include turn lanes during RC1 construction. Signalized intersections and turn lanes were constructed at the relocated U.S. 1 Interchange ramps, the driveway at the Red Roof Inn was relocated, left-turn lanes were added in both directions at the Turnpike’s westbound slip ramp intersection on Street Road, and a new southbound on-ramp from eastbound Street Road was added.

This project also included the relocation and construction of new ramps at the Street Road (Route 132) and Turnpike interchanges and the replacement of the Bristol Road Bridge to improve vertical clearance over U.S. 1 and create room for widening U.S. 1 below.

Significant progress was made this spring on the bridges carrying U.S. 1 over the Neshaminy Creek and the Penndel/Business U.S. 1 interchange. With support columns in place, workers placed deck beams and installed rebar on the new southbound Neshaminy Creek bridge preparation for paving set to begin in July. At the Penndel/Business U.S. 1 interchange, northbound bridge abutments and piers were completed and deck beams were placed in late June. The contractor expects to begin deck placement of the northbound bridge in late summer.

In addition to the bridge work, crews continue installation of the stormwater drainage system along U.S. 1 in the RC2 work area, and excavation continues along both sides of U.S. 1 to prepare for construction of a third travel lane between the Turnpike and Penndel/Business U.S. 1 interchanges.

Later this summer following completion of RC1, work will get started at the Neshaminy Exit, including replacement of the U.S.1 bridge over Rockhill Drive and improvements to the interchange. RC2 is expected to be completed in mid-2026.

The contracts, RC1 and RC2, are part of PennDOT’s three-phase project to improve four miles of U.S.1 in Bucks County by reconstructing and widening the pavement, building several bridges, and improving several interchanges along a continuous three-mile section of highway in Bensalem and Middletown townships.

PennDOT in 2014 completed $14.8 million in improvements at the U.S. 1/Maple Avenue Interchange in Middletown Township as part of their overall initiative to modernize and upgrade the U.S. 1 corridor in Bucks County.

Cost: $97.2 million & $112.5 million

County: Berks

Route 320 (S. Gulph Road) Improvement Project at Hanging Rock

PennDOT reopened Route 320 (South Gulph Road) on June 22, 2022 following the completion of a $9.2 million transportation improvement project to reconstruct, improve and realign the roadway away from the historic Hanging Rock in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County.

"This project reinforces and improves our network and enhances safety on a heavily-traveled section of Route 320 (South Gulph Road), while also preserving the historical importance of Hanging Rock," said Acting District 6 Executive Louis Belmonte.

Route 320 (South Gulph Road) had been closed to through traffic between Upper Gulph Road and Arden Road since construction began on this contract in January 2020.

Under this improvement project, PennDOT's contractor: Realigned Route 320 (South Gulph Road) away from Hanging Rock, which had protruded into the roadway resulting in limited site distances; raised the profile of Route 320 (South Gulph Road) to meet the requirements for the 100-year flood elevation; reconstructed the cantilevered structure that carries Route 320 (South Gulph Road) over Gulph Creek; reconstructed the wall separating Route 320 (South Gulph Road) and Gulph Creek; added a southbound right-turn lane at the intersection with Upper Gulph Road; installed ADA curb ramps and traffic signal upgrades; and performed various drainage upgrades.

Allan Myers, LP of Worcester, Montgomery County was the general contractor on the project, which was financed with 100% state funds.

Cost: $9.2 million

County: Montgomery

Erie Avenue and 5th Street Bridge Removal and Reconstruction Project

PennDOT began construction on Tuesday, July 5, on an improvement project to remove the 5th Street bridge over the abandoned Conrail line, and reconstruct the roadway between Hunting Park Avenue and Bristol Street in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia.

The 5th Street structure is one of two deteriorating bridges that PennDOT is removing under a $7.8 million project, which is financed with 100% state funds. Construction finished last month to remove the bridge that carried Erie Avenue over an abandoned Conrail line and to rebuild the roadway between 3rd Street and Lawrence Street.

The purpose of this project is to remove a deteriorating bridge in poor condition, provide a long-term transportation facility that is built to current standards and capable of handling the volume of expected traffic along this city street, and ensure a safe and efficient movement of multi-model transportation along a locally important network.

During construction on 5th Street, the roadway will be closed and detoured between Hunting Park Avenue and Bristol Street through July 2023 for bridge demolition and roadway reconstruction.

Bristol Street is also closed and detoured at the intersection with 5th Street through early November for water main relocation.

For more information, including a project fact sheet available in English and Spanish, visit the Erie Avenue-5th Street project page.

Cost: $7.8 million

County: Philadelphia