Utility, Bridge, and Roadway Construction Underway This Summer on Ridge Pike in Plymouth Township
July 22, 2024 – Complex utility relocations and bridge (see below), sewer, and roadway construction will continue this summer 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 last fall, a number of utilities and their sub-contractors remain busy across the work area.
- PECO Gas has completed relocation of a gas line at the intersection of Ridge Pike and Belvoir Road. Further gas line relocations are scheduled to begin at the intersection of Ridge Pike and Carland Road later this year.
PECO Electric continues installation of numerous new utility poles (see right) to allow for the transfer of their power lines and various utilities. Widening can begin when the old poles are cleared.
- AQUA PA has developed a new water main plan and is scheduled to return and begin installing services by the end of August, following completion of a significant number of PECO electric pole relocations.
- Construction began in spring for a new Plymouth Township sewer line, but this work 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 late summer or early fall.
At the Ridge Pike bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad near Belvoir Road, bridge demolition and excavation continue, making way for construction of the westbound side of the new structure.
Temporary reconstruction of the medians at the adjacent Plymouth Creek and I-476 bridges has allowed traffic to be temporarily re-routed from the existing eastbound lanes, allowing reconstruction of the new eastbound lanes along with rehabilitation of the bridges (see above). This work is expected to continue through this fall.
Future improvements on the I-476 overpass also 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 need for 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 travelling 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.