(Credit: submitted photo)
If you travel along Route 202/DeKalb Pike in Whitpain Township, chances are the construction zone has caught your eye. From longer waits at lights to less-than-ideal driving conditions, the area has been torn up for the past several years.
Unfortunately, these impacts aren’t just felt by area drivers, as local businesses have also been affected by the ongoing road improvement projects. From customers bottoming-out their cars, to blocked driveways and temporary signage, the difficulties continue to impact small business owners in the area.
Michelle Byrd, of Blue Bell, Pa. is the owner of Lady Byrd Boutique, located at 1201 DeKalb Pike in Whitpain Township. She says that from the time she opened, she’s been struggling with the mess.
“It honestly has ruined my business,” said Byrd. “With my building being down a hill, signage that is small and also now down the hill, I cannot tell you how many people tell me ‘I didn’t even know you were here.’”
Byrd had opened her doors on Oct. 1, 2021, and by mid-October, said her signage was removed and replaced with temporary signs. That was nearly three years ago, and despite the “major construction” being complete, ongoing work continues to hinder her operations.
“Recently, my driveway to the store was completely torn up for an entire day where no customers could go in or out,” said Byrd. “Thankfully, it’s clear now but who knows what else will pop up inconveniencing more businesses.”
Blocked driveways are not her only issue: the projects seem to drag out, from year to year, having been in some state of disrepair since 2018.
She said this length of construction has hurt small businesses in the area.
“Also being a retail business, people know what a mess, how many flat tires they’ve gotten on 202, and just avoid this area like the plague or go around so no ‘foot traffic’ so to speak,” said Byrd. “The orange safety cones [PennDOT puts] out do not paint a good picture of where to turn.”
Byrd said she was asked to make her own signage, and was told by both the township and the state that this would not be possible.
“I’ve been told by the township and PennDOT I am not able to put any moveable signage closer to the street,” she said. ‘In February, there were about four drivers that needed to be towed out of the street because there was a drop off from the road, towards the entrance to the store, and people would turn too soon (again because the orange safety cones are way too far apart and not effective) and get stuck. It was a huge hazard.”
Byrd operates her business — and has since 2016 — online in addition to her brick-and-mortar business. She said that soon, that may be her only option, as the construction has made in-person boutiques nearly impossible.
While Whitpain Township representatives say they are also frustrated by this impact, they said their hands are largely tied in the matter, as the DeKalb Pike stretch — and surrounding construction — is under the state’s purview.
“Whitpain Township understands the frustration of local businesses and residents that have dealt with the 202 construction for several years,” said Eric Traub, township manager designee. “This is a PennDOT project, and PennDOT does not require approval or permissions from Whitpain Township to complete this construction work as 202 is a state road. The entire process, from construction sequencing, to signage, to lane closures is completely at the discretion of PennDOT and their contractor.”
Traub said that a bulk of the “major construction” is considered complete, as of last November, ironically noting the portion that included “nearly three miles of U.S. 202 from south of Morris Road to Hancock Road in Whitpain and Lower Gwynedd townships, Montgomery County” was completed “a year ahead of schedule.”
Overall, the $44.1 million project, including portions in Whitpain, involves the reconstruction and widening of Route 202 from two lanes to five lanes, consisting of two northbound lanes, a center turn lane and two southbound lanes. Five-foot bicycle lanes will be provided both northbound and southbound and there will be associated sidewalk improvements along the entire length of the roadway. The project is divided, according to PennDOT’s Deputy Communications Director 2 Brad E. Rudolph.
“Major construction is only complete on the 202-65S section as discussed in the [release] above,” said Rudolph. “Both 202-61N and 61S are still very active roadway construction projects.”
For residents and business owners in Whitpain, the two project work zones overlap at 202 and Township Line Road, but “it is a four-mile continuous construction zone from Johnson Highway bordering Norristown and East Norriton Township to Morris Road in Whitpain Township,” said Rudolph.
“Although it is a requirement to keep access open to all businesses and side streets, businesses will feel inconvenienced with temporary driveway entrances constructed primarily with crushed stone and delineated with traffic control devices, such as cones,” he said. “However, they will enjoy new curbing and blacktop driveway entrances once construction is completed in the various stages.”
The sections in question in Whitpain include 202-61N, a project which began in the Fall 2018, as well as the 202-61S project, which began in Spring 2021. According to Rudolph, the 202-61N is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2025, while the 202-61S is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
The project being divided into various stages may confuse residents and business owners, but Rudolph said the staggering is a necessary part of the construction.
“The projects must be done in multiple stages in order to keep the main roadway, all side streets, and the hundreds of business and residential entrances open at all times,” he said. “Staged construction simply takes much, much longer.”
When asked what may cause delays beyond originally projected end times, Rudolph said that features such as “underground and aerial utilities must be cleared and relocated in order to perform the roadway construction.”
“This must be coordinated throughout the project duration,” he said. “This involves multiple utility companies and adds years to the project schedules.”
Rudolph said that the projected 2021 end-date communicated to Byrd was in error, and that “the township(s) have been involved in project issues early in project design as well as the construction phases including schedule discussions.”
“202-65S was substantially complete well ahead of schedule because there were fewer utility conflicts,” he noted.
James D. Morrissey, Inc. of Philadelphia is the general contractor on the Section 65S project, which is financed with 80% federal and 20% state funds.
Byrd isn’t the only one feeling the pain-points.
“I thought I lost the back-half of my car,” said a patient of Best Impressions Med Spa, who requested anonymity. “I had a follow-up appointment at the office, after a procedure, and it was awful. You feel like you are taking your life in your hands just to make the turn into the driveway, then the ground gives out, and the massive dip between roadway to driveway is incredible.”
While no measurable damage was done to her vehicle, the patient was startled by the “wild ride.”
“It was certainly dangerous,” she said. “I cannot fathom how someone was not injured, or cars did not require repair. I feel bad for the employees in this area.”
A manager at Turning Point of Blue Bell, a breakfast, brunch, and lunch hot spot, said they had no impacts to business that they had noticed.
“We hadn’t really noticed any change in business,” said Andy. “We have no complaints.”
Whether you are just passing through as a driver, or impacted daily as a business owner or resident, Rudolph suggested that all in the area remain diligent.
“Please drive safely through the projects,” he said. “Think of the workers, other motorists, and their families. Plan ahead for delays and avoid the construction areas if possible.”
He also noted that, while it may be a struggle for some today, the opportunities the newly improved roadways will provide in the future will be for the betterment of all.
“I am unsure of when the last major construction project went through the corridor, but this has been a needed project for a couple of decades,” said Rudolph. “Construction is very inconvenient, but upon project completion, the community will have a new roadway that will last for decades to come.”
