Utility work, bridge rehabilitation continue this summer on historic structure in Norristown
Summer 2024 – PennDOT continues the rehabilitation of the Elm Street Stone Arch Bridge along with ongoing relocation of underground utilities at the intersection of Markley Street and Elm Street this summer under a project that will restore the historic structure and complete the long-term, almost $53 million investment to improve the Markley Street (U.S.202 South) corridor in Norristown.
Repair crews continue work on the underside of the bridge, dismantling the arch stones to access and repair the bridge’s structural components. Once the structural repairs are completed, the stones will be placed in their original locations.
In addition, a number of utility companies and sub-contractors are relocating underground cables, conduits, ducts, and pipes at the intersection in work that will continue until this fall.
Following the bridge rehabilitation, PennDOT’s contractor will reconstruct and widen Markley Street and adjust the pavement on Elm Street at the intersection.
Additional improvements under this contract include installing new, adaptive traffic signals, curbs, sidewalks, ADA curb ramps, signage, and guide rails during the last phase of the project.
During construction, the intersection remains closed and detoured along several routes designed to lessen the impact of traffic approaching the work area.
The $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) got underway, improving the corridor and intersecting streets between Main and Elm streets. 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 and Main Streets, finishing in 2022.