Latest on Irene Recovery: Roads Remain Closed, PECO Working Feverishly

The whirr of chainsaws and sump pumps can still be heard throughout the Phoenixville area as cleanup continues after Hurricane Irene.

Due to the plethora of problems caused by the storm—downed power lines, fallen trees and limbs and flooding—several area roads remained closed as of 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Here’s the list of state roads in the Phoenixville area that still haven’t opened up after the storm:

• Yellow Springs Road between Pickering Road and Lincoln Road in East Pikeland Township; Downed tree with wires
• Church Road/Pickering Dam Road between Charlestown Road and Peaks Pike Road in Charlestown Township; Downed tree with wires
• Foster Road between Green Lane Road and Yellow Springs Road in Charlestown Township; Road and drainage pipe damage  
• Old Eagle School Road between Strafford Road and Pugh Road in Tredyffrin Township; Downed tree with wires
• Yellow Springs Road between Wilson Road and PA 252 in Tredyffrin Township; Downed tree with wires

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that Route 422 will close between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1 for a bridge inspection of the bridge over the Perkiomen Creek, which hit major flood stage following the hurricane.

One lane will be closed on eastbound Route 422 between Pawlings Road and Egypt Road, and drivers should allow for extra time if they’re planning to take the expressway.

As for the power situation, PECO reported that as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, 4,000 customers in Chester County and 3,000 customers in Montgomery County are still without power. Power to remaining customers should be restored by the end of the day Wednesday, according to the utility company.

However, the electric company has already restored service to 475,000 to 500,000 customers and employees from as far away as Florida and Michigan have come out to help get the lights back on in the areas hit by Irene.

More impressive PECO stats include, as of 4 p.m. Tuesday:

In less than 48 hours since the storm moved out of our region, PECO field forces have completed more than 2,500 repair jobs, including more than 640 jobs related to damaged trees. Crews also have replaced:

• 82 miles of wire
• 13,270 fuses
• 1,888 cross arms
• 110 poles
• 65 transformers

One Phoenixville Patch reader shared his own story of encountering utility workers after the storm rolled through. Thanks to James Henry for sharing:

Late Monday afternoon, sitting in line on the Rt. 29 bridge just past Produce Junction, traffic was "stop and creep," but mostly stop. Creeping the other direction were two large white utility trucks, each with a single occupant.

Looking ahead I could see the first driver clearly; a big stocky guy with a face full of stubble, weary eyes and a baseball cap. His expression told me it had been a long day. Since our power had been out for 16 hours during the storm, I figured I owed these guys a hat-tip for whatever their part was in restoring it.

As we slowly pulled abreast in traffic, I opened the window.

"Hey, you guys are doing great work," I said.

"Thanks kindly," he said from his high cab seat.

"Long day?" I asked.

"Too long, and more to do."

By now I had glanced at the door of the truck. "I don't recognize your company's name ... where're you from?"

"Georgia," came the reply.

"Wow," I said. "Long way from home. Welcome to Pennsylvania."

"Thanks kindly," he said again and then pulled ahead to keep up with traffic. I gave the second driver thumbs-up as we passed and he replied with a brief horn honk.

That line crew and many others will probably be working in Pennsylvania for a while. Give 'em wave if you seem them, and tell 'em "Thanks, kindly."