Northbound 202 closed today in Upper Merion

Northbound Route 202 (DeKalb Pike) is closed to through traffic at South Gulph Road in Upper Merion for emergency pavement and utility line repairs, according to a release from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today. It is expected to reopen Saturday, Feb. 5, sometime in the afternoon.

PennDOTis advising drivers traveling north on 202 to follow the detour of South Gulph Road to Church Road and Henderson Road to travel around the road closure. Route 202 north remains open to motorists turning left onto Mall Boulevard.

The emergency closure resulted from a four- to six-inch drop of a 70-foot-long section of concrete pavement on the north side of the Mall Boulevard intersection. The affected pavement is in the northbound left lane. The incident may also include a ruptured municipal sewer line.

PennDOT’s contractor is on site to make the necessary repairs. Crews will remove the damaged concrete pavement and excavate underneath the highway to diagnose and correct the sub-surface problem.

The repair procedure includes pumping concrete into the ground to stabilize the affected area. The concrete will require about eight hours’ curing time. Crews will resurface the northbound lane with asphalt prior to reopening the northbound side to traffic. 

The average daily traffic volume on northbound Route 202 in the area of the Mall Boulevard intersection is 22,200 vehicles a day.

PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on Route 202 and major highways before heading out. 

For more PennDOT information, visit www.dot.state.pa.us.