Excavation, Utility, and Drainage Work Underway This Fall
PennDOT’s contractor will continue roadway construction for U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway), excavation, utility work, and stormwater drainage this fall under the Department’s $99.4 million Section 103 Project in Upper Chichester, Delaware County.
This project will reconstruct and widen the highway to four travel lanes from just east of Chelsea Parkway/Bethel Avenue to the existing four-lane section approaching Route 452 (Market Street). It will also improve the Cherry Tree Road/Bethel Avenue intersection and reconfigure the U.S. 322/Route 452 interchange, including replacement of the bridge over Route 452.
Crews will continue excavation, grading, and roadway construction. Drainage pipes (see above), inlets, and basins (see below) are being installed ahead of paving operations scheduled later this fall. Paving will include the new ramp at the Route 452 interchange as well as temporary widening of U.S. 322 in preparation for the Stage 2 traffic switch expected early next year. Stage 2 will shift traffic north on U.S. 322 to allow for construction on the south side. Stage 2 also includes the first phase of the U.S. 322 bridge over Route 452.
Sections of aerial utility relocations have been completed along U.S. 322 and Route 452. Utility relocations are ongoing (see right) and will continue this fall. Culvert construction along U.S. 322 at Bezors Run is ongoing, allowing for future widening and Cherry Tree Road/Bethel Avenue intersection improvement.
Bethel Avenue will remain closed through late 2026 in order to complete improvements at the intersection. The two-lane stretch of westbound U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) remains reduced to one lane approaching Route 452 (Market Street). U.S. 322 will be reduced to one lane in each direction by the end of this year.
There will be periodic lane closures for the duration of the project. PennDOT will continue to maintain at least one lane of traffic in each direction except during occasional, flagger-controlled restrictions at various times and locations. Access will be maintained to all residences and businesses within the work area during construction.
More information, including proposed detour routes, is available at the project website, www.us322conchester.com.
The $99.4 million Section 103 project is the second of four construction contracts under PennDOT’s U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) Improvement Program to improve travel and safety on a 6.7-mile section of U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) in Concord, Bethel, and Upper Chichester townships.
R.E. Pierson Construction Co. Inc., of Pilesgrove, N.J., is the general contractor on this project, which is financed with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds.
Section 101 widening and intersection improvements were completed in 2020 between U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) and Clayton Park Drive.
Section CSX, which will replace the U.S. 322 bridge over the CSX Railroad and improve the adjacent Bethel Road Interchange, is scheduled for construction later this year.
Final engineering design is advancing for Section 102, the widening and reconstruction from Clayton Park Drive to Chelsea Parkway/Bethel Avenue. Section 102 construction will wrap up PennDOT’s improvements to U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) between U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) and the CSX bridge and Bethel Road.
Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/