Daytime single-lane traffic patterns will be in effect northbound on Route 209 (Interchange Road) in Franklin Township this week.

The intermittent lane closures are scheduled to occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, during the installation of underdeck shielding on the overhead structure of the turnpike bridge.The turnpike underpass at Pohopoco Drive in Franklin Township will be closed and traffic detoured by 7 a.m. on April 3, conditions permitting.Message boards have been activated to alert motorists of the scheduled road closure.Once closed on April 3, traffic will be detoured between Harrity Road and Grange Road, with a posted detour route directing traffic west on Harrity Road, north on Fairyland Road, east on Grange Road to south on Pohopoco Drive.Local access on Pohopoco Drive in Franklin Township will be available from either direction to the bridge; however, there will not be any vehicle or pedestrian traffic allowed through the underpass once the detour is implemented.This work is in preparation for the demolition of the bridge that carries I-476 over Route 209 and Pohopoco Creek.Next week, the contractor anticipates nighttime work with periodic traffic stoppages of no more than 15 minutes for motorists traveling south on Route 209.In October 2013, New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., started construction on the $22.1 million project to replace two turnpike mainline bridges that cross Route 209 and the Pohopoco Creek, and Pohopoco Drive in Carbon County.The Turnpike mainline bridge that crosses over Pohopoco Drive is being replaced in stages to allow the contractor to maintain traffic on I-476.For the protection of the workers and motorists during the overhead construction-related activities, the contractor is required to close Pohopoco Drive and detour traffic for the duration of the project.Construction is expected to be completed by June 2016.Work is also being conducted on Route 248 in Parryville and Palmerton between Canal Street and the Northampton County line.Traffic delays could occur between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Thursday.