NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County officials broke ground Wednesday on Section B of the Ridge Pike Improvement Project from Belvoir Road to Chemical Road in Plymouth Township.
Section B will be a full-depth roadway reconstruction that improves safety and reduces congestion. This project will widen the roadway to create a center left-turn lane, add traffic signals at Industrial Way and Carland Road, reconfigure the I-476 interchange with signalized intersections, replace the westbound jughandle at Alan Wood Road with double left-turn lanes, and add much-needed stormwater management facilities.
The project will also improve pedestrian safety and transit accessibility by providing a continuous sidewalk along the south side of the road, consolidating SEPTA bus stops, and making them ADA-compliant.
“When this section of Ridge Pike is complete two years from now, it will make it easier for drivers to get around, for people to walk, and for transit riders to catch their bus,” said Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Ridge Pike is a critical corridor in Plymouth Township, connecting Norristown with the Blue Route, and accommodating 30,000 vehicles daily and thousands more when crashes occur on the Schuylkill Expressway and I-476. This is why Montgomery County is committed to rebuilding and improving this county-owned portion of Ridge Pike. We are fortunate to be partnering with FHWA, PennDOT, and Plymouth Township on this $40 million section to advance the design and construction as quickly as possible.”
Construction will begin fall 2023 with aboveground and underground utility work. Bridge replacements and road reconstruction will follow after utility work is complete. The construction contractor for this section of the Ridge Pike Improvement Project is J.D. Eckman, Inc., which was awarded a contract with a construction cost of $39,184,367.55. This project is funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and PennDOT in partnership with Montgomery County and Plymouth Township.
Residents can stay up to date on the project or sign up for email alerts by visiting www.ridgepikeproject.com.
The Ridge Pike Improvement Project involves the full reconstruction of Ridge Pike between Norristown and Philadelphia, with additional widening and safety improvements at specific locations. The project will lessen congestion, improve safety, improve stormwater management, provide safe areas for pedestrians, and help keep the adjacent communities economically competitive.
Drivers can check current road conditions by visiting the MyChesCo Traffic Center. Stay updated on the latest news and information from MyChesCo with our free newsletter. Follow MyChesCo on Twitter at twitter.com/MyChesCo and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/MyChesCo.
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