Warning: U.S. 1 closing in Middletown this weekend
If you are traveling in the western end of the county this weekend, there is an important reminder from PennDOT.
Baltimore Pike will be closed this weekend for a bridge removal project.
The work is part of SEPTA’s project to refurbish and renovate service to Elwyn and involves removal of a rail bridge that spans U.S. Route 1.
SEPTA is scheduled to close northbound and southbound U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) between Valley Road and Red Roof Drive in Middletown Township and Chester Heights Borough, from 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 11.
During construction, Baltimore Pike motorists will be directed to use U.S.
322 (Conchester Highway) and Route 452 (Pennell Road). Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone.
Following the closure, U.S. 1 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Red Roof Drive and Valley Road for approximately nine months for bridge construction.
SEPTA Bus Route 111 will also be detoured around the weekend road closure. There will be no Route 111 service between Valley and Stoney Bank Roads from 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 8 through
5:00 a.m. Monday, February 11.
Here is what motorists need to know about detours:
U.S. Route 1 South:
• Drivers traveling south on Route 1/W. Baltimore pike beyond Valley Road will be detoured onto Route 452 South/ Pennell Road to U.S. 322 West/Conchester Highway and before being directed back onto U.S. Route 1/ Baltimore Pike.
• U.S. Route 1/Baltimore Pike will be open to local traffic in both directions north of Valley Road.
• Access to all businesses and residences between PA 452/Pennell Road and Valley Road will remain open; however, traffic south of Valley Road will be blocked. U.S. Route 1 North:
• Drivers traveling north on U.S. Route 1/ West Baltimore Pike beyond Red Roof Drive will be detoured onto U.S. 322 East/Conchester Highway to PA 452 North/Pennell Road before being directed back
onto U.S. Route 1/W. Baltimore Pike.
• U.S. Route 1/W. Baltimore Pike will be open to local traffic in both directions south of Red Roof Drive.
• Access to all businesses and residences between U.S. 322/Conchester Highway and Red Roof Drive will remain open; however, traffic north of Wawa Road will be blocked.
• Access between Red Roof Drive and Wawa Road will be limited to local traffic.
Detour signs will be posted approaching the closure and along the detour route to direct traffic around the work area. Residents living in this vicinity may experience higher than normal traffic on local roads as drivers
may choose to take alternate routes to navigate their way around the road closure. Local residents and motorists should be cautious when driving or walking in the area due to higher than normal traffic volume.
In addition to the weekend road closure, northbound and southbound U.S. Route 1 will be reduced from two lanes to one lane in each direction beginning Monday, February 11. The new traffic pattern will be in effect for approximately nine months in the rail bridge vicinity while crews work to rebuild the bridge abutments.
At a future date, an additional weekend U.S. Route 1 road closure may be required for installation of the new bridge over U.S. Route 1.
Replacement of the U.S. Route 1 rail bridge is a part of the Elwyn to Wawa Service Restoration Project. This project will allow SEPTA to provide Media/Elwyn Regional Rail Line service to the new Wawa Station. Information about SEPTA’s Elwyn to Wawa Service Restoration project can be found at: http://septa. org/rebuilding/station/elwyn-wawa.html.
Passengers can check Route 111 bus service information by checking System Status on SEPTA’s website at www.septa.org. Riders can also contact SEPTA Customer Service representatives at 215580-7800 for more information and can stay connected by following the @ SEPTA_BUS Twitter handle.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling near or through the work area because backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.