Bodine Road in Charlestown Township will Close to Traffic March 17

Bridge over Turnpike in Chester County to be demolished and rebuilt by November.

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (03/12/2010)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists that the bridge carrying Bodine Road over the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) in Charlestown Township, Chester County will close to traffic the morning of March 17 with a detour in effect until November.

Preparations for the demolition of the 60+ year old bridge began this month, and signs alerting motorists to the March 17 closure have been posted. Over the next eight months, a 3.5 mile detour will be implemented, directing traffic over State Route 401 and Seven Oaks Road (SR 1023). Detour signs will be posted throughout the route.

Motorists traveling eastbound and westbound on the Turnpike should be prepared for slow moving traffic and nighttime single-lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. while construction crews place temporary concrete barrier to create a work zone under the bridge that crosses over the Turnpike at milepost 315.8. The bridge is located 9.5 miles west of the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit #326) and 2.6 miles east of the Downingtown Interchange (Exit #312).

There will also be occasions during demolition and reconstruction of the bridge when the 14-mile section of the Turnpike mainline (I-76) between the Valley Forge and Downingtown Interchanges will be closed in both directions with off-Pike detours in effect. The first such closure is scheduled on April 11 (weather permitting) between midnight and 6 a.m. Changeable message signs will be activated to provide the traveling public with updated information regarding closures and detours.

The Nyleve Bridge Corp. of Emmaus, Pa., was awarded the $4 million contract to replace the bridge on Feb. 16. The contractor anticipates the new bridge and wider shoulder will be open to traffic by Nov. 19.

Please visit the Pennsylvania Turnpike website at www.paturnpike.com for project-related announcements updates, including detour information. The Pennsylvania Turnpike urges the motoring public to stay alert and travel at posted speed limits through highway work zone areas.