Prospect Park, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll joined industry and local officials for a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction on a $35.8 million project to replace the bridges that carry Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) over Darby Creek in Prospect Park Borough and Tinicum Township, Delaware County.
Carroll highlighted how the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is bringing over $4 billion in additional road and bridge improvements to Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro has also proposed investing $1.5 billion more in Pennsylvania's roads and bridges over five years.
"Transportation provides jobs, connects our communities, and is vital to Pennsylvania's economic growth," Carroll said. "Our governor and our federal partners are working to give us more resources to make travel easier and safer in every corner of the commonwealth."
The BIL is accelerating and supporting projects across Pennsylvania. The Route 420 project – 100% federally funded -- illustrates the importance of federal investments.
"This critical project has been a decade in the making and could not have come to fruition without the hard work and support of many elected officials, as well as our transportation partners and stakeholders," said PennDOT District 6 Executive Lou Belmonte.
Under this project, PennDOT's contractor will replace the superstructure and substructure of the northbound and southbound bridges over Darby Creek. The new crossing will be built as one bridge instead of the two that currently carry traffic over Darby Creek. In-stream work including causeways and cofferdams will be utilized for construction of the replacement structures. Rock protection will also be used for both structures, and streambed stabilization and replacement of the fender system will be included as part of the site improvements.
In addition, existing lighting on the bridges will be replaced or upgraded, and a pedestrian trail crossing will be constructed under the structures adjacent to the southern abutments. The trail will provide a connection to the adjacent John Heinz Wildlife Refuge. The 8-10 foot wide shared-use path will be built on the western side of Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) to the north of Darby Creek. A shared-use path will also be constructed on both sides of Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) south of Darby Creek and connect to the existing parking lots at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
"Investing in our roads and bridges means improving quality of life for Pennsylvanians," said Associated Pennsylvania Constructors Executive Vice President Robert Latham. "Infrastructure projects like the Route 420 bridge replacement allow our residents to travel safer, spend less time in traffic, and spend more time doing the things that are important to them."
During construction on this bridge replacement project, two lanes of traffic will be maintained at all times for northbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) motorists, and one lane of traffic will be maintained at all times for southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) motorists through the work area.
On Friday, May 19, PennDOT's contractor closed the left lane on southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) between 4th Avenue and Interstate 95 to begin bridge reconstruction on the southbound structure. The single lane closure will be in place 24/7 until the new bridge is completed.
During the long-term lane closure, oversized vehicles over 10-feet-wide will be prohibited from using southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) through the project limits. Drivers will be directed to use U.S. 13 (Chester Pike), Stewart Avenue and Route 291 (Industrial Highway) to access Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) south of I-95.
Access to southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) from Lazaretto Road will be prohibited for all motorists. Motorists will be directed to follow the posted detour route to access southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue).
Access to northbound and southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) from Lafayette Avenue at 2nd Avenue will be prohibited for all motorists except emergency vehicles. Motorists will be directed to follow the posted detour routes to access northbound and southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue).
Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work areas because significant backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.
The existing southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) bridge is a 237-foot-long, three-span, prestressed concrete composite adjacent box beam bridge. The structure is currently posted for 30 tons and 40 tons in combination and is listed in poor condition due to the deterioration and section loss of bridge elements.
The existing northbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) bridge is a 232-foot-long, three-span, prestressed concrete composite adjacent box beam bridge. The northbound bridge, which is currently listed in fair condition, is deteriorating and in need of extensive repairs.
Richard E. Pierson Construction Co. Inc. of Pilesgrove, NJ, is the general contractor on this bridge replacement project. Construction on the entire project is expected to finish in summer 2027.
The federal BIL provides approximately $550 billion in new federal infrastructure investment, including many new discretionary grant programs. PennDOT shares information on transportation opportunities as well as resources for interested applicants on the department's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act website.
To view or download video and photos from today's groundbreaking event, visit PAcast.
Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.
Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact: Brad Rudolph, bradrudolph@pa.gov
# # #