PennDOT District 6 has provided an update for Spring 2023 on the long-term U.S. 1 Improvements Project as work the next several months will focus on the construction of three new bridges over U.S. 1 along with the continued widening of the highway to construct an additional travel lane in each direction.
With all lanes of traffic now on the rebuilt northbound portion of the U.S. 1 bridge over the Penndel/Business 1 Interchange and adjacent CSX/SEPTA rail lines, demolition began in January to prepare for the construction of the southbound side of the structure. The old bridge’s remaining support piers will be demolished this spring as crews construct the abutments for the new southbound span.
Immediately south of this bridge, work will wrap up in early Spring on a new traffic pattern that shifts northbound and southbound traffic onto the new southbound bridge over the Neshaminy Creek that was completed last Fall. Once both directions of traffic are placed on the new bridge, the existing northbound bridge will be demolished, and work will begin on the new northbound side of the creek crossing.
Work continues to replace the northbound side of the Rockhill Drive bridge over U.S. 1, with both directions of traffic traveling on the existing southbound side. Once the northbound side is completed, traffic will be shifted onto the rebuilt section while crews demolish and reconstruct the southbound side. The on-ramp to southbound U.S. 1 from Rockhill Drive remains closed for construction to improve the interchange.
Excavation north of the PA Turnpike continues in the shoulder areas to allow for the construction of an additional travel lane in both directions on U.S. 1 through the Penndel/Business U.S. 1 Interchange. On the northbound side approaching the Neshaminy Exit, construction of a retaining wall to support the embankment for construction of a new off-ramp to Rockhill Drive.
Section RC2 is part two of PennDOT’s three-phase project to improve four miles of U.S. 1 in Bucks County by reconstructing and widening the pavement, building several bridges, and improving several interchanges along a continuous three-mile section of highway in Bensalem and Middletown townships. RC2 construction is expected to be completed in mid-2026.
PennDOT in 2014 completed $14.8 million in improvements at the U.S. 1/Maple Avenue Interchange in Middletown Township as part of their overall initiative to modernize and upgrade the U.S. 1 corridor in Bucks County.
A third project, RC3, will improve U.S.1 from the Penndel/Business 1 Interchange north through the Route 413 overpass. The project remains in Final Design and is not yet scheduled for construction.