Roadway, Utility, and Drainage Construction Continue This Spring
April 2, 2026 – Work this spring focuses on culvert installation, bridge reconstruction, utility relocations, and stormwater drainage installation under PennDOT’s $99.4 million Section 103 project improvements to U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway) in Upper Chichester, Delaware County.
The contractor will demolish the remainder of the eastbound half of the bridge carrying U.S. 322 over Route 452 this spring (see above), following the ongoing underground utility work on Route 452.
Drainage installation and utility relocation continue on the south side of U.S. 322 at Chelsea Parkway/Bethel Avenue on the western end of the project.
Culvert construction at the Cherry Tree Road/Bethel Avenue intersection is ongoing, with the next phase of installation planned for mid-April 2026. Underground utility work and roadway widening will follow. Bethel Avenue will remain closed throughout 2026.
Marcus Hook Creek culvert construction on U.S. 322 began over the winter. Excavation and installation of temporary shoring is ongoing (see above) to prepare for culvert installation in April 2026.
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.
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 and flagging for construction activities throughout 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 also be maintained to all residences and businesses within the work area during construction.
The U.S. 322 Section CSX project will replace the bridge over the CSX railroad and improve the Bethel Road Interchange between Interstate 95 and Route 452. Early-stage work on this project gets underway this spring with utility relocations. Construction will be coordinated with Section 103 construction.
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.