PennDOT to start final phase of roundabout construction, due to open in Sept.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The third and final phase of construction of the roundabout in Pocopson will close Route 52 on April 28, PennDOT announced Tuesday. The roadway — and the new roundabout — is expected to open in late September.
POCOPSON — It’s about to get a lot more complicated to get around the Unionville area.
With the closing of Unionville-Lenape Road today, starting phase two of the Pocopson roundabout project, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that Route 52 will close on April 28 as the third and final phase of construction begins. Route 52, Unionville-Lenape Road and Wawaset Road are expected to remain closed through September, when the $2.1 million roundabout is completed.
Between now and then, traffic between Kennett Square and West Chester will be rerouted along Pocopson Road to Route 926, which is expected to add to driving times and, could create traffic delays at various points in the area.
Key potential trouble areas to watch out for:
• Route 52 northbound at Route 926: With no left-turn lane or left-turn arrow, and the detour likely causing additional left-turn traffic, motorists could see backups at the intersection.
• Route 52 at Pocopson Road: already an increasingly tricky intersection at certain times of the day, the potential for backups at the intersection, especially for those headed southbound and turning onto Pocopson Road is likely, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. Obviously, in the event of flooding closing the 926 bridge over the Brandywine, additional stress will be placed on the intersection, so allow extra time.
• Route 52 at Locust Grove and Parkerville roads: detour traffic will likely end up on these residential roads, so additional care should be taken when driving, and for residents, when out walking.
PennDOT is recommending that area drivers stay alert and allow extra travel time until the project is complete.
The Pocopson roundabout is PennDOT’s first roundabout project in southeast Pennsylvania. Construction is being funded by federal funds. Road-Con of West Chester is the general contractor for the project.
