Construction is set to begin Oct. 29 on a four-year project to reconstruct and widen a 1.3-mile section of U.S. 1 from Old Lincoln Highway to just south of the Neshaminy Interchange in Bensalem Township, Bucks County.
U.S. 1 Section RC1 is the first of three construction contracts to rebuild and widen U.S. 1, replace aging bridges and install safety enhancements along a four-mile section of the expressway from just north of Philadelphia to just north of Route 413 (Pine Street) in Middletown Township and Langhorne Borough.
Improvements under this first contract include: Constructing a third travel lane along U.S. 1 in each direction from the Route 132 (Street Road) interchange to just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange, building an auxiliary lane along U.S 1 in each direction between the Route 132 (Street Road) and Pennsylvania Turnpike interchanges and raising the profile of U.S. 1 from south of the Route 132 (Street Road) Interchange to north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange to improve vertical clearances for U.S. 1 structures over Route 132 (Street Road), the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interchange ramps, upgrading U.S. 1 interchanges at Route 132 (Street Road) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, adding a northbound right-turn lane along U.S. 1 from Old Lincoln Highway to Route 132 (Street Road), reconfiguring the Route 132 (Street Road) Interchange and adding a ramp from Route 132 (Street Road) eastbound to U.S. 1 southbound; increasing the existing loop ramp radius to improve design speed to 30 mph and incorporating a second lane on the U.S 1 northbound exit ramp to the Pennsylvania Turnpike; removing the existing bridge that carries U.S. 1 over a closed private access road; and reconstructing four bridges.
In addition, the project includes the construction of a sound barrier and retaining wall; installation of 13 sign structures, traffic signals and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) equipment along the corridor; relocation of sanitary sewer and water service lines; upgrades to drainage and stormwater systems and construction of on-site and off-site mitigation sites.
The project will begin with utility relocations, upgrades and minor improvements to facilitate traffic during the three main construction stages beginning in spring 2019.
Initial activities this fall and winter include temporary reconstruction and widening of existing shoulders along U.S. 1 and Route 132 (Street Road), installation of a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Route 132 (Street Road) and Township Road, the extension of Township Road to several local businesses on U.S. 1 and construction of new driveway configurations for the Red Roof Inn.
Stormwater system improvements and stream mitigation activities will commence in various locations along the corridor.
In early 2019, reconstruction of existing northbound U.S. 1 and the bridges will begin, as well as construction to replace and improve the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 132 (Street Road) interchange ramps adjacent to northbound U.S. 1.
Concurrently, the contractor will begin rebuilding eastbound Route 132 (Street Road) and incorporate two new ramps adjacent to eastbound traffic for the realignment of the U.S. 1 Interchange at Route 132 (Street Road).
Allan A. Myers of Worcester, Montgomery County is the general contractor on the $97.35 million project financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds. All work on this project is expected to complete by the end of 2022.
