Heads up, drivers! PennDOT has just rolled out the news that PECO Energy is gearing up for a serious utility construction hustle on a couple of state highways in Chester and Delaware counties, so expect some detours and delays in the coming months. The official word is that these improvements are necessary for keeping the grid reliable, but for the average Joe, it means tweaking the daily commute.
The first hit of roadwork starts in Chester County. Beginning Tuesday, May 28, and rolling through to the witching hours of Halloween on Thursday, October 31, there's a weeknight blockade on Route 724 (Schuylkill Road) running from Hares Hill Road all the way to Spring Hollow Road, East Pikeland Township isn't going to be accessible between 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Detour signs will nudge motorists towards Route 23 (Ridge Road), Bridge Street, and back onto Route 724.
If you're in Delaware County, mark your calendars for Monday, May 20 to Thursday, May 23, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Gulf Creek Road's getting the ax between King of Prussia Road, and Cricket Lane in Radnor Township. The detour game here reroutes you via Biddulph Road, so plan ahead and brace for potential traffic snarls. Local residents, you can breathe easy knowing that local access will be kept open right up to those buzzing work zones.
In the wise words of PennDOT, these roadworks come equipped with a "Highway Occupancy Permit" badge from PECO Energy. Translation: they've got the official thumbs up to dig in. It's no secret that construction is Mother Nature's plaything, so all this is, of course, weather permitting. And for those of you looking to dodge the gridlock, your digital co-pilot www.511PA.com is on standby with live updates on traffic delays, weather forecasts, and speedy detour routes. The service also comes in a handy smartphone app for iPhone and Android users, or if old school's more your style, just dial 5-1-1.
Now for the real road warriors out there hungry for more details on how the asphalt's going to shake up across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, your fix is just a click away. Check out the District 6 Traffic Bulletin at PennDOT's site and get the full scoop on what construction projects are flipping the script on state-owned highways.
