July 17, 2023 – The first major stage of construction on the four-year project to widen and reconstruct 4.5 miles (MP 311.60 – 316.19) of the Turnpike (I-76) gets underway this summer in Upper Uwchlan, Uwchlan, West Pikeland, and Charlestown townships, in Chester County.

Initial Stage 1 median and shoulder reconstruction — part of setting up a long-term, protected work area similar to the current stage of Turnpike widening between Mileposts 324 and 326 near the Valley Forge Interchange (see below) — begins July 18 and continues into the fall.

Nightly lane closures — Mondays through Fridays from 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM the following morning — in both directions on the Turnpike will be required to complete this work in preparation for Stage 2 construction for widening and other work in the eastbound and westbound shoulder areas.

Over the next several months, excavation and other work may take place beyond the existing shoulders but this work is not expected to impact Turnpike traffic. Once the new work zone is established next spring crews will begin activities to build a third lane and wider shoulders in each direction.

Over the ensuing 20 months, work behind the barriers will expand to include additional excavation; construction of retaining walls and culvert extensions; installation of a state-of-the-art stormwater drainage system; and construction of the outer sections of wider Turnpike bridges over Upper Pine Creek Road (see below), the Downingtown Interchange Ramps, and Conestoga Road/Route 401 (see right).

Bridges over the Turnpike within the project limits, Bodine Road and Valley Hill Road (SR 1021), were replaced during a previous contract from 2010-2013, reducing the amount of time needed to complete mainline reconstruction.

Sound barrier walls also will be erected during the initial major stage. Walls will be erected off the westbound shoulder between Mile Posts 313.4 & 313.9.

Once the new eastbound and westbound lanes and shoulders are built (est. 2025), Turnpike traffic will be shifted onto the new pavement and shoulders and the existing pavement and median will be reconstructed.

Construction during this stage is expected to take place Mondays through Fridays between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, though some night and weekend work will be done during certain stages of the project.

Local road detours will be implemented in West Pikeland and Uwchlan townships to allow work to be completed on Pine Creek Road and Davis Road. Message boards providing notifications of upcoming road closures will be set up prior to the start of local detours. Closures and detours also will be announced through news releases to local media, posted on the project website, and sent to the project’s email subscribers.

For up-to-date project information and to subscribe to project emails, visit the Project Website: www.paturnpike.com/traveling/construction/site/milepost-316-319-reconstruction.

For questions about ongoing construction or other issues related to this project, email us at Tpk312-316@bergcomm.com, or call Toll Free at 866-528-4181.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is widening and reconstructing four-plus miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike from the Downingtown Interchange (Milepost 312) to the Valley Hill Road (Milepost 316) in Upper Uwchlan, Uwchlan, West Pikeland, and Charlestown Townships in Chester County.