Part One of Markley Street (U.S. 202 South) Project Finishes Ahead of Schedule
The newly rebuilt and improved section of Markley Street (U.S. 202 South) was opened to two-way traffic in early September between Elm Street and Johnson Highway in Norristown, signaling the substantial completion of the first two parts of PennDOT's Markley Street (U.S. 202 South) Improvement Project.
The $20.8 million, 80 percent federal and 20 percent state-funded project was completed one year ahead of schedule. PennDOT's contractor will plant additional trees along Markley Street (U.S. 202 South) during the fall planting season, starting in mid-October.
Since construction began in early 2013, PennDOT's contractor initially installed new stormwater and sanitary sewers, and relocated gas and water mains on Markley Street from Elm Street to Johnson Highway. Utility companies relocated aerial telecommunications lines as well as aerial and underground electric lines.
Crews then completely rebuilt the one-mile section of Markley Street (U.S. 202 South) to include one northbound and southbound travel lane, plus a center turn lane. New and upgraded traffic signals were installed at four intersections, including the newly signalized crossing with Coolidge Boulevard/Brown Street. The intersection of Markley Street/Swede Road and Johnson Highway in Norristown and East Norriton Township was upgraded to include turn lanes, and Johnson Highway was restriped to add a center turn lane between Markley Street and DeKalb Street.
Accompanying the new traffic signals at Markley Street's intersections with Harding Boulevard, Fornance Street, Coolidge Boulevard/Brown Street, and Johnson Highway are pedestrian push buttons, pedestrian countdown timers, continental crosswalks, and new curb ramps to enhance pedestrian travel and safety.
In addition, new sidewalks and curbing were added on Markley Street along with recessed parking slots in residential blocks, 39 ornamental street lights, and 16 trees planted in storm filter boxes. A residential parking lot also was built on Harding Boulevard at its intersection with Markley Street.
The project also included the rehabilitation of the historic Main Street Bridge over Stony Creek in Norristown.
Additionally, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) components were installed, including a highway camera and travel time reader on Markley Street at the intersections of Main Street and Johnson Highway. A dynamic message sign, highway camera, and travel time reader were installed on DeKalb Street at the U.S. 202 split, and a highway camera and travel time reader at the intersection of Swede Road and U.S. 202.
Construction of the $20,825,701 project began in February 2013 and was scheduled to finish on September 8, 2016. However, the contractor, J.D. Eckman of Atglen, Chester County, accelerated the construction schedule by combining several of the planned construction stages, which allowed crews to work concurrently at different locations along Markley Street.