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.
The BIL is accelerating and supporting projects across Pennsylvania. The Route 420 project – 100% federally funded — illustrates the importance of federal investments.
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.
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.
For more information, visit: https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8365
