New Bridges over Pa. Turnpike (I-276) in Bucks County to Open Nov. 4

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (11/03/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced that the new bridges carrying Bristol-Oxford Valley Road (State Route 2029) and Galloway Road (State Route 2023) over the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) in Bucks County are scheduled to open to traffic by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4.

Part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project, the first stage of construction required the two overhead bridges, originally built in 1957, to be lengthened to accommodate the future highway-speed link to I-95.

The Bristol-Oxford Valley Road structure in Bristol Township is a pre-stressed concrete beam bridge; the Galloway Road structure in Bensalem Township is a steel bridge with an ashlar stone architectural treatment. The main supports (abutments) of the new structures have been moved farther apart and a new support (pier) constructed in the median. The new bridges now include two 12-foot wide travel lanes and 8-foot wide shoulders. A pedestrian sidewalk was added on the east side of the Galloway Road Bridge.

James J. Anderson Construction Co., Philadelphia, was awarded the $9.7 million Turnpike-funded contract to replace the bridges on Sept. 7, 2010 and constructed both bridges simultaneously. The bridges are located between the Bensalem (Exit #351) and Delaware Valley (Exit #358) Interchange. The new wider structures were built on their current alignment to allow for the future widening of the Turnpike mainline underneath requiring both roads to be closed and detoured, Bristol-Oxford Valley on Oct. 25 2010 and Galloway on Nov. 15 2010.

Future projects associated with the I-95 Interchange Connector are scheduled to begin sometime in 2012 and 2013. This includes two overhead bridges that carry Richlieu Road (State Route 2035) and Ford Road (State Route 2192) over the Turnpike (2012-13); construction of a new Turnpike mainline toll plaza (2013-15); and the restoration of three acres of wetland and streams. Additionally, work will continue on the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) which includes: closed circuit television cameras, dynamic message signs, a traffic-flow detection system, and connecting existing systems throughout the I-95 project corridor.

Information on future bridge construction, ITS, detour routes, mainline toll plaza construction, project staging and travel advisories is available at www.paturnpikei95.com by clicking on the construction home tab.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is committed to distributing complete, accurate and consistent travel information and providing exceptional customer service. Visit the Pa. Turnpike website at www.paturnpike.com or be in the know before you go and call 866.976 TRIP (866.976.8747).

NEW - TRIP Talk streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users on America's First Superhighway. To download the free app, Pa. Turnpike travelers can visit http://www.paturnpike.com/triptalk. Users do not have to create an account, register or sign up with the Turnpike to use TRIP Talk. The app uses your phone's built-in GPS to stream nearby advisories.