If you commute along Route 100, you’ve likely noticed PennDOT’s $17.4 million project to widen and improve 2.5 miles of Pennsylvania Route 100 (Pottstown Pike) in Uwchlan and West Whiteland townships is under way.

What’s going on? PennDOT says plans call for expanding Route 100 from two lanes to three lanes in each direction by widening northbound Route 100 from Shoen Road to just south of Route 113 (Uwchlan Avenue) and widening southbound Route 100 from just south of Route 113 (Uwchlan Avenue) to Swedesford Road.

This is supposed to enhance travel and reduce congestion for the thousands of motorists who use Route 100 each day and create a six-lane roadway from Route 30 to the turnpike, according to Lester C. Toaso, PennDOT district executive.

This work will restrict Route 100 to one lane in each direction Sunday through Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Lane closures may occur weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to relocate utility lines. While two travel lanes will remain open weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m., drivers should allow additional travel time. This stretch of Route 100 carries between 33,000 to 38,000 vehicles a day.

The project also includes intersection improvements, concrete median barriers and storm water management improvements. Crews also will build a sound wall along southbound Route 100 between Rutgers Drive and Worthington Drive; build a retaining wall on Gordon Drive; install a sidewalk along northbound Route 100 from Ship Road to Sharp Lane, which will connect with the Uwchlan Trail; install a sidewalk along southbound Route 100 between Rutgers Drive and Worthington Lane; and build a truck weigh station along the current northbound Ship Road jug handle.

Allan A. Myers of Montgomery County is handling the project, scheduled to finish in February 2016. For road conditions check www.511PA.com.

And during construction, if you’re nostalgic for the old Route 100 dotted with farm stands and Pennsylvania Dutch industries such as furniture, pottery and shoe making, check out Patricia Stompf Blackwell’s book “Along the Route 100 Corridor” here.

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Top photo courtesy of the Daily Local News.