Roadway, Utility, and Bridge Work This Winter
Roadway and bridge construction continue this winter as conditions permit on PennDOT’s $99.4 million Section 103 project improvements to U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) in Upper Chichester, Delaware County.
Ongoing roadway construction between Chelsea Parkway and Bethel Avenue and the limited access section at the Route 452 Interchange includes stormwater drainage installation and culvert construction. Utility relocations will also continue this winter across the work area.
U.S. 322 remains one lane in each direction through the work area, with traffic shifted onto the north (westbound) side to allow for construction on the south side.
PennDOT’s contractor, R.E. Pierson, expects to begin the first phase of construction to replace the U.S. 322 bridge over Route 452, including demolition of the eastbound half of the structure in early 2026. Utility work continues at this location prior to demolition of the eastbound half of the bridge, which will occur over a weekend early in the year.
During the weekend demolition, detours will be in place to redirect Route 452 traffic to U.S. 322 east and west.
Culvert construction at the Cherry Tree Road/Bethel Avenue intersection is ongoing (see above). It will be followed by underground utility work and roadway widening at the intersection. Bethel Avenue will remain closed and detoured through late 2026. Stormwater drainage installation continues on the north side of U.S.322 at the Cherry Tree Road/Bethel Avenue intersection.
Section 103 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); 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.
There will be periodic lane closures for the duration of the project for construction activities. 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 as well to all residences and businesses within the work area during construction.
Section 103 construction will be coordinated with upcoming work to replace the bridge over the CSX railroad (Section CSX) and improve the Bethel Road Interchange between Interstate 95 and Route 452. Work on that project will begin in 2026.
More information, including proposed detour routes, is available on this website.
The 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 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.
Final engineering design is advancing for Section 102, the widening and reconstruction from Clayton Park Drive to Chelsea Parkway/Bethel Avenue. Section 102 construction, which is not yet scheduled for construction, will wrap up PennDOT’s improvements to U.S. 322 between U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) and I-95.
Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.