Just a reminder for the merry month of May:
You won’t be so merry, seashore and work commuters, when the Commodore Barry Bridge starts getting nearly $8 million in deck joint repairs -- closing two of its five lanes for almost seven months.
An inspection of the bridge recommended replacing 74 existing compression seal joints with new strip seal joints on the bridge approach structure, according to the Delaware River Port Authority.
This project needs to be completed in a timely manner so PennDOT can build new ramps connecting the bridge with the Chester waterfront, said DRPA Chief Engineer William Brooks.
Drivers will be updated regularly on construction progress, said DRPA spokesman Ed Kasuba.
Further details on the project such as the hours of construction and which lanes will be closed are pending, he said. The lane closings will be dependent on the traffic flow.
Every effort will be made to accommodate shorebound and homebound commuters, he said.
The average daily traffic count for the bridge is about 44,000 vehicles.
The contract was awarded to Road-Con Inc. of West Chester.
Construction on the Barry Bridge, which connects Chester and Bridgeport, N.J., began April 14, 1969. It was opened to traffic Feb. 1, 1974.
The bridge is 13,912 feet long and is 76 feet, 10 inches wide. Its travel width curb to curb is 60 feet. The span’s structural steel weight is 49,000 tons. Its navigable channel width is 800 feet, with a channel depth of 40 feet.
SEPTA SHUTTLES
This weekend, SEPTA is operating shuttle buses in place of regular El service between 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby and 40th Street Station in West Philadelphia unil
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Edgmont – Providence Road, paving between West Chester Pike (Route 3) and Goshen Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays starting Monday and through May 2.
Ridley Township – I-95 and I-476 (Blue Route) North/South ramps, sign inspection with lane restrictions on ramps connecting I-95 and I-476, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday/Wednesday.
Also, MacDade Boulevard – sign inspection with lane restrictions at the I-476 Interchange 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.
U.S. Route 1 North/South – Middletown and Upper Providence, sign inspection with lane restrictions between Route 352 and Route 252, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday.
Upper Darby – Victory Road, bridge repairs with lane restrictions between Market Street and Lansdowne Avenue 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday/Friday and April 7.
I-476 North – Nether Providence, Marple and Springfield, tree trimming/removal with the right lane closed between Exit 3 (Baltimore Pike) and Exit 5 (U.S. Route 1/Media Bypass) 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
Springfield – West Springfield Road, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation between North State and North Britton roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. Work began Feb. 11 and will continue until April 18.
Also, Springfield Road, Aqua utility installation between State and S. Britton roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 25. Work began March 24.
Bishop Avenue – Springfield and Upper Darby, Aqua utility installation, lane restrictions at Baltimore Pike 6:30 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through Friday. Work began March 19.
Upper Darby – Burmont Road – trench restoration, closed and detoured between State and Garrett roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 11 by Aqua Pennsylvania. Work began March 12.
Chester Township – Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 4. Work began Feb. 19.
"Road Watch" appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.