Utility, Bridge, Roadway Construction Continue This Fall on Ridge Pike in Plymouth Township
Complex utility relocations and bridge, sewer, and roadway construction will continue this fall on Montgomery County’s $39 million Section B project to improve travel, safety, and access on Ridge Pike between the Belvoir Road and Chemical Road intersections in Plymouth Township.
Continuing the significant progress made since work got underway in fall 2023, several utilities and their sub-contractors remain busy across the work area.
- PECO Gas has completed relocation of several gas lines along Ridge Pike. Further gas line relocations are scheduled to begin at the intersection of Ridge Pike and Carland Road in summer 2025.
PECO Electric continues installation of numerous new utility poles (see right) to allow for the transfer of power lines and various communications utilities. Roadway widening and the construction of a new water main can begin when the old poles are removed.- AQUA PA continues to relocate its facilities to allow for Ridge Pike drainage improvements. Another portion of the new water main is to be installed following removal of PECO’s old poles.
- Construction that began last spring for a new Plymouth Township sewer line is temporarily on hold at the Ridge Pike and Alan Wood Road intersection pending relocation of other underground utilities. Sewer line installation is expected to resume in summer 2025. Traffic controls that were in place to support the sewer work from Alan Wood Road to Industrial Way have been temporarily lifted to allow better traffic flow and the advancement of other scheduled utility work.
Construction of the westbound side of the new Ridge Pike bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad near Belvoir Road continues to progress. The foundation of the new westbound portion of the bridge is being placed this fall (see below), with work expected to continue through the winter.
Temporary reconstruction of the medians at the adjacent Plymouth Creek and I-476 bridges will allow traffic to be re-routed through the work area as needed, allowing reconstruction and rehabilitation of the bridges. This work is expected to continue through this coming winter.
Future improvements on the I-476 overpass include a left turn lane from westbound Ridge Pike to northbound I-476. These improvements, along with a left turn lane from westbound Ridge Pike to Alan Wood Road, will eliminate the jug-handle at Alan Wood Road.
Motorists will encounter occasional lane restrictions on weekdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and at night from 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM on Ridge Pike during construction. Visit www.ridgepikeproject.com regularly for notifications on when nighttime and weekend work will occur or call 445-266-2826.
Section B will completely reconstruct Ridge Pike, improve stormwater drainage, relocate utilities, create a center turn lane and add turn lanes at certain intersections, upgrade traffic signals, construct sidewalks, and improve access to and from Interstate 476.
The County thanks the traveling public and the businesses along this corridor for their continued patience and understanding during this construction project.
J.D. Eckman, of Atglen PA, is the Section B general contractor. Sections A and C are currently under design and Section D is currently under construction between Crescent Avenue and Northwestern Avenue in Whitemarsh Township. For additional information on Section D visit www.ridgepikeproject.com or call 484-534-8188.