PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Starting Thursday, Feb. 26, drivers on Route 202 in King of Prussia can expect a long-term detour as PennDOT resumes work to prevent sinkholes.
Because of the local geology, sinkholes have plagued King of Prussia. A band of limestone leaves the area susceptible to underground voids. To address the issue, PennDOT has been reinforcing the soil below Route 202 (Dekalb Pike).
Last year, the northbound lanes were closed for eight months. Now, it’s the southbound side’s turn. Beginning on Thursday, crews will force pressurized grout into hundreds of deep holes to stabilize the ground.
“Some of these drills go down about 100 feet to penetrate solid rock,” said PennDOT spokesman Brad Rudolph. “Then we have to inject this grouting, which really takes a lot of time.”
The southbound lanes of Route 202 will be closed until late fall, PennDOT said. Southbound traffic in the quarter-mile stretch between Prince Frederick Boulevard and Henderson Road will be detoured onto Saulin Boulevard.
Rudolph assured there will be local access.
“All businesses, all residences will certainly be open and access will be maintained at all times,” he said.
Similar sinkhole work is also causing lane closures along Route 29 in East Whiteland Township, Chester County.