New Mill Road Bridge Opens to Traffic on Friday in Tredyffrin Township

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (11/03/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced that the newly reconstructed bridge that carries Mill Road (T-540) over the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County will open to traffic at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 4, lifting the passenger car and truck detour in effect since March. The bridge is located 3.5 miles west of the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit #326) and 10.5 miles east of the Downingtown Interchange (Exit #312).

The $4.2 million Mill Road Bridge project is the second overhead bridge to be replaced as part of the Commission's total reconstruction plan to widen six-miles of the Turnpike mainline (I-76) which traverses Tredyffrin and Upper Merion Townships. The project area begins at milepost 320 (the location of the Rt. 29 all-electronic interchange currently under construction) and continues east to milepost 326 (Valley Forge Interchange). The $4.8 million Valley Forge Road Bridge in Tredyffrin Township was completed in October 2009.

The new bridge features a stone architectural treatment and includes two 10-foot travel lanes and 6-foot shoulders. The area adjacent to the bridge has been landscaped with two rain gardens.

G.A. & F.C. Wagman Inc., of York, Pa, was awarded the contract to replace the bridge in December 2010. With the re-opening of the local road to traffic on Nov. 4, the contractor will have fulfilled their contractual obligation by completing the project on schedule.

Please visit www.paturnpike.com for future reconstruction and widening information, bridge closings and maps showing planned detour routes. Click on the Major Design/Construction Projects link, then the Milepost 320-326 Widening link to access the site. The PTC encourages the public to stay up-to-date on what's happening throughout the project by signing up for E-Bulletins on the project website.

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.