Construction zones are a fact of life on Pennsylvania roads. Generally, traffic flow can be harshly impacted when road crews work to improve roads. Lanes may often be narrowed to preserve safety in and around construction workers. Lanes may have to be closed as workers work on the surface of a highway.
However, construction workers are no necessarily the only people who may experience an increased risk of danger in construction zones. All too often, car, truck or motorcycle accidents can erupt when traffic is slowed for a project. Risks of danger may be increased if some drivers negligently ignore traffic flow restrictions near a project.
Law enforcement in Montgomery County is investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred Saturday on Route 422. Few details about the fatal wreck have been released to the public. However, the highway accident reportedly involved several vehicles. It is not clear if anyone other than the motorcyclist suffered any injuries. Authorities say that the motorcyclist was rushed to a local hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the wreck.
The accident occurred in a construction zone along Route 422 Saturday afternoon shortly after 3:30 p.m. The construction zone extends from the Route 724 interchange in North Coventry Township, Pennsylvania to an interchange in Lower Pottsgrove. The multi-vehicle accident was reported near the Armand Hammer Boulevard exit in Lower Pottsgrove.
Officials have not indicated whether or not investigators believe that the fatal accident was related to the construction project. However, work was planned over the weekend as PennDOT officials had warned that traffic delays could be expected on the highway Saturday and Sunday as crews performed a bridge beam replacement as part of the construction project.
Work-zone speed limits were in place, Officials say that prior to the fatal crash dozens of motorists received tickets as Lower Pottsgrove and North Coventry Police patrolled the area to raise awareness of construction zone safety issues.