Layfield Road from Maple Lane to Klinerd Road will be closed through August 2017

        Originally scheduled to close in March of 2017, the Route 663 (Layfield Road) bridge over Green Lane Reservoir will close for construction on Nov. 14.  Signs have been posted along Route 663 to alert motorists of the extended closure. The road is scheduled to be closed from Maple Lane to Klinerd Road in Upper Hanover Township until August 2017.

        Another Layfield Road bridge that crosses the West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek, located about one-half mile west of Klinerd Road, is also scheduled to be replaced in 2017.

        Originally, both projects were expected to run concurrently, shortening the overall length of time that the detour will be necessary. 

        However, after several years of repairs by PennDOT to the deteriorating span, the weight limit on the reservoir bridge was limited to 15 tons (30,000 lbs.) last November. Prior to 2015, the bridge had no weight restrictions.

        According to an Upper Hanover official, PennDOT decided on the early closure out of concern that the bridge would not last through the winter season and could necessitate another weight limit reduction or a winter closure of the span.

        At the June meeting of the Upper Hanover Supervisors, Velaga Narayana of PennDOT gave some details on planned repairs to the bridge. She said the project will reuse the bridge's substructures but replace the deck. She also said that the repairs would require closing both lanes of traffic.

        According to PennDOT, initial work on the bridge can be conducted through the winter season. There is a 267 day contract time for completion from the start date, bringing the scheduled completion into August 2017.

        PennDOT will set up signs directing traffic around the construction area by traveling Route 29 to Route 100 in Hereford Township, then Route 100 to Route 73 in Douglass Township, then Route 73 back to Route 663 in New Hanover Township.

        Construction on the bridge over the West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek is still scheduled to begin in the spring of 2017.