Markley Street Reconstruction Continues, Barbadoes Street Extension Work Underway
Construction of the new southbound Markley Street (U.S. 202 South) bridge over Stony Creek is heading for completion in late fall and will begin carrying traffic late next spring at the completion of the remaining southbound reconstruction north and south of the bridge in Norristown.
Construction on the southbound bridge (see above) began in early summer following completion of the new northbound structure and a traffic shift that moved southbound Markley Street traffic onto the new northbound bridge.
New curbs and sidewalks have been installed on the northbound side of Markley Street from the bridge north to just short of Elm Street. Installation of underground electric facilities for the highway lighting on both sides of Markley Street continues along the southbound side. Once the power for the lighting is in place, projected to be completed by late spring, additional poles will be installed and the new, decorative streetlights will be activated. (Right photo shows similar street lights already installed under Section 520 north of Elm Street.)
Installation of the project’s new stormwater drainage system also is currently taking place in the vacated southbound lanes between the bridge and Elm Street. Drainage operations are expected to expand from south of the bridge to Main Street this winter.
Rehabilitation of the existing stone arch bridge that cuts diagonally under the intersection of Markley and Elm streets is expected to begin by mid-2022. That intersection will be closed and detoured during work on the bridge (see left).
Meanwhile, construction of the Barbadoes Street extension from its present terminus at Lafayette Street to Washington Street (see below) has been completed. This extension of Barbadoes Street will provide an alternate route to Lafayette and Washington streets west of Markley Street and relieve congestion at the Markley and Main Street intersection.
Utility work also is continuing on Main Street between Barbadoes Street and Markley Street and could progress west of Markley Street to Water Street by late fall.
Markley Street remains closed to northbound traffic between Main Street and Elm Street during construction. Northbound U.S. 202 motorists heading to Markley Street are being detoured north on DeKalb Street (U.S. 202 North) in Bridgeport Borough to Johnson Highway in Norristown. Northbound motorists using the Dannehower Bridge will be required to turn east or west on Main Street in Norristown for the duration of construction.
Alan Myers, LP, of Worcester, Montgomery County is the general contractor on the $23,925,515 project which is financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds. Construction on the entire project is expected to be completed in 2023.
Additional improvements to U.S. 202 are currently underway north of Johnson Highway in East Norriton and Whitpain townships. Go here for information about that project.