May 22, 2017 – Clearing, excavation and shoulder reconstruction continue across the U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) Section 101 work zone that stretches from U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) in Upper Chichester Township to Clayton Park Drive in Bethel Township.
, crews are set to begin excavation at Featherbed Lane and start work to replace the bridge over Smithbridge Road by mid-May.
Much of the vegetation along the south side of the highway has been removed, and crews are reconstructing the westbound shoulder in sections to provide the needed space for PennDOT to maintain two lanes of travel on U.S. 322 (Conchester 
Highway) during the year-long construction of two new eastbound lanes. Excavation continues along the south side of the existing highways, with crews “cutting” from high areas and using the cut material to “fill” areas where the grade needs to rise for construction of two new eastbound lanes (right).
Following shoulder construction, crews will eradicate and repaint lane markings to shift U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) slightly to the north. Temporary construction barrier is being placed along the outside edge of the eastbound lane to provide a secure work space for the activities underway in the area south of the highway.
Work also is underway to improve the U.S. 322 intersections at Evergreen Way and Featherbed Lane. Construction also is underway on the southern part of the new bridge over Smithbridge Road (below). The new overpass will be built in stages as construction continues overhead to widen U.S. 322.
In addition, access to and from U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) at Garnet Mine Road has been closed permanently. The Station Road North intersection also has been closed.
PennDOT will maintain two lanes of traffic on the existing U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) during peak hour travel. Periodic flagger-controlled lane restrictions may occur Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and from 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM for various operations as construction advances along the corridor.
The work is part of a $62.6 million Section 101 contract to reconstruct, widen and upgrade traffic signals on 2.5 miles of U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) from U.S 1 (Baltimore Pike) to just east of Featherbed Lane/Mattson Road near Clayton Park in Concord Township, Delaware County. Current western section construction is the first of two mainline PennDOT construction projects to improve travel and safety on a 6.7-mile section of U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway).
Work also has been underway since October 2016 on an advance construction project, Section MIT, to create replacement wetlands and other improvements to areas adjacent to U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway).
Construction of the eastern, Section 102 segment will improve the highway and its intersections and interchanges from east of Clayton Park Drive to just east of Route 452 (Market Street) in Bethel and Upper Chichester townships. Construction on Section 102 is projected to begin in 2019.
An additional contract to replace the U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) bridge over the CSX railroad and Bethel Road as well as improvements to the adjacent Bethel Road Interchange (Section CSX) is under design and not yet scheduled for construction.
Follow the progress of improvements to the U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) at us322conchester.com.
