Ardmore Avenue Closing Through Mid May For Railing Installation

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — Ardmore Avenue will close for about a month due to SEPTA railing installation, according to PennDOT.

PennDOT said the road will be closed Monday through Friday, May 14.

The closure is between Haverford and Golf House roads.

During the closure, drivers on Ardmore Avenue will be directed to use Darby Road, College Avenue, and Haverford Road. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work area because backups and delays will occur. Ardmore Avenue carries an annual average daily traffic volume of 11,700.

According to PennDOT, the closure will accommodate SEPTA railing installation, under the project to replace two bridges that carry Ardmore Avenue over Cobbs Creek and SEPTA’s Norristown High-Speed Line.

This bridge replacement project was driven by the need to replace both structures that had been rated in poor condition because of their age, state of deterioration and the lack of adequate shoulders and approaches to the structures. They were replaced with new structures to enhance the safety and operations of the two bridges.

The bridge over Cobbs Creek was built in 1935, and the structure over SEPTA tracks dated back to 1927.

The new bridge over SEPTA spans 55 feet in length, and is a reinforced concrete box beam structure that is supported by new reinforced concrete abutments. Adjacent to the bridge are five new retaining walls and two new ADA ramps that provide ADA-compliant access to the SEPTA Norristown High Speed Line station. These structures have architectural surface treatment to replicate stone which was chosen in coordination with local stakeholders.

The bridge over Cobbs Creek is a reinforced concrete arch culvert that spans 32 feet and has two new adjacent retaining walls. These structures have natural stone facing that was chosen to reflect the character of the adjacent Merion Golf Club which is a National Historic Landmark.

Sight distance was also improved under this project for motorists traveling on the bridge over SEPTA, allowing better visibility of oncoming traffic. In addition to the bridge replacements, the project completed reconstruction of the roadway between Golf House Road and Haverford Road to accommodate two 4-foot wide shoulders and two 12-foot wide travel lanes.

The sidewalks on the new bridge over SEPTA tracks remain closed to pedestrians and the temporary bridge remains in place for access to the SEPTA station.