Bridge Rehabilitation Continues on Historic Structure in Norristown
The rehabilitation and restoration of the historic Elm Street Stone Arch Bridge at the intersection of Markley Street and Elm Street in Norristown will continue this winter. Work will focus on parapet construction (see below) and repairs to the underside of the bridge (see right).
Utility companies and sub-contractors have substantially completed the relocation of underground water and gas services. PennDOT’s contractor then completed structural arch repairs on the top side of the bridge and used “lightweight concrete” to secure the top side repairs at the intersection (see below).
The contractor will now construct bridge parapets and repoint the stone joints on the underside of the arches. Construction of new curbs and sidewalks also will take place as conditions permit during the winter months.
Following the bridge rehabilitation, PennDOT’s contractor this spring will reconstruct Markley Street and adjust the pavement on Elm Street at the intersection.
Additional improvements under this contract include new adaptive traffic signals, curbs, sidewalks, ADA curb ramps, signage, and guide rails. They are expected to be completed during the last phase of the project.
During construction, the intersection remains closed and detoured to the traveling public. Traffic is detoured along routes designed to lessen the impact of traffic approaching the work area. The detour is projected to be lifted in early spring. All businesses in the area have remained open throughout the duration of the project.
The estimated $7.8 million Elm Street Bridge project is anticipated to be completed in late 2025.
Work on the corridor began in 2013 with widening and reconstruction between Elm Street and Johnson Highway (Section 520), ending in fall 2015. In 2019, the second of four contracts (Section 510) began, improving the corridor and intersecting streets between Main Street and Elm Street. The third section of the corridor, Section 530, extended Barbadoes Street from Lafayette Street to Washington Street to improve traffic flow by providing an alternate route through the busy intersection of Markley Street and Main Street, finishing in 2022.