Construction Project Will Close Route 23 Bridge

Motorists in the Phoenixville area can expect major traffic problems beginning in a few weeks as PennDOT crews start work on replacing a bridge on one of the main roads into the borough.

PennDOT has announced that the Valley Forge Road bridge over Pickering Creek on Route 23 will be closed starting Monday, April 20 at 9 a.m. The demolition and re-construction of the bridge will force a long-term closure, possibly through the end of the year, according to officials.

PennDOT’s contractor will rehabilitate the structurally-deficient bridge by removing the deteriorated steel I-beams and replacing them with concrete beams; building a new deck; and repairing the support abutments. In addition, crews will replace the pier caps on which the beams sit.

Route 23 (Valley Forge Road) will be closed and detoured between Moorehall Drive and McAvoy Lane starting April 20.

During the bridge closure, passenger cars on Route 23 (Valley Forge Road) will be detoured over U.S. 422 west to the Oaks Interchange, then onto Egypt Road, Route 29, Bridge Street, and Route 113 (Bridge Street). Trucks will follow U.S. 422 west to the Royersford Interchange, and then onto Main Street and Route 724 (Schuylkill Road). Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone.

The Route 23 (Valley Forge Road) bridge was built in 1967. The three-span structure is 210 feet long and 38 feet wide. It carries 19,165 vehicles a day.

The rehabilitation promises to improve road conditions for the future, but that doesn’t hide the fact that traffic will be pretty much terrible for the rest of the year. Or, as the Phoenixville Office of Emergency Management put it on its Facebook page, “Thank goodness this is not a heavily trafficked road and this should cause no real problems in the area. Unless you drive a car, then you’re done. Find a back way NOW.”

Those with questions on the bridge project can contact PennDOT at 610-205-6700. Updates will be made available as the township receives them.

(Facebook Photo)