By Mark Abrams

POTTSTOWN, Pa. (CBS) – A new construction zone along a stretch of Route 422 just outside of Pottstown, Pa. is causing some confusion for motorists.

Many drivers are exceeding the new posted 40-mile-an-hour speed limit in that area, and PennDOT says police are about to start cracking down on violators.

PennDOT’s Charlie Metzger says a more than 1.5 mile section of eastbound and westbound Route 422 between the Route 724 interchange and just beyond the Armand Hammer Boulevard area in Montgomery and Chester counties is going to be a construction zone for the next few years.

He says those white speed limit signs with the black numerals on them that list the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour in that area are for real.

“Fines are doubled in construction zones so if you are exceeding the speed limit and get pulled over, you will face a little heftier fine,” Metzger said.

He says even though crews are out on the highway sporadically, they are working in the area around the clock, so whether or not you see them, he says drivers must slow down from 55 mph to 40 mph in that zone.

“The lower speed limit is in effect 24 hours a day cause it is considered an active construction zone even though the crews are working overnight right now. So, the signs are posted for 40 miles per hour, motorists are encouraged to do the posted speed limit while going through the construction zone.”

Metzger says state police may join departments from North Coventry and Lower Pottsgrove townships in stepped up speed enforcement in the coming days and weeks.