Crews to Begin Work Securing Rocky Hillside Along Schuylkill Expressway
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Construction work begins later this week on the Schuylkill Expressway in Montgomery County to enhance safety along the eastbound lanes by shoring up some rocky hillside.
Crews will work through November to stabilize the rocky hillside adjacent to the expressway just east of the Route 23 interchange in Lower Merion.
PennDOT's Gene Blaum says preliminary work gets underway later this week during the overnight hours.
"A barrier will be placed alongside the shoulder to close off that portion of the shoulder so that it will provide a safe protective work area for the crews that will be working up on the hillside," Blaum says.
During the course of the three-month project, Blaum says drivers should allow extra time because there will be some intermittent lane closures.
"This is an area where back in September, 2011 we had a severe rock slide in that location and we are going to be doing work to remove loose rock up on the embankment and then to secure the rock in place."
Blaum says the deterioration of the rock along the half-mile stretch of road resulted from joints becoming weak due to temperature changes and foliage growth. The project will cost $2.3 million.
