Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced that more than 1,700 construction projects are under way or expected to begin or be bid statewide in 2019.
(Governor.pa.gov photo)
Building on the nearly 650 construction contracts completed and approximately 4,400 roadway miles improved by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) forces last year, Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced that more than 1,700 construction projects are under way or expected to begin or be bid statewide in 2019.
"A safe and efficient transportation system is critical for not only our current economy, but also potential growth," Wolf said. "We will make improvements in every corner of the state as the season progresses."
"I'm proud of what we continue to achieve despite weather and financial challenges," PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. "I urge all motorists to slow down and watch for work zones so we can all get home each day."
Notable projects that PennDOT and its partners have started, will finish or will begin this year include:
- Slide repairs along Route 62 in Watson and Limestone townships in Warren County and Hickory Township in Forest County in PennDOT's northwestern region;
- Preserving two bridges over Slab Run near Falls Creek on Route 219 near Interstate 80 and Route 830 in Clearfield County in PennDOT's Clearfield-based region;
- Reconstructing West Fourth Street from Route 15 to Arch Street, relocating storm sewer to the alley south of West Fourth Street from Oliver Avenue to Wayne Avenue, and mill and overlay on West Fourth Street from Arch Street to Oliver Avenue in Williamsport, Lycoming County, in PennDOT's Montoursville-based district;
- Later this year, upon completion of a retaining wall included in the Harrison Avenue Bridge construction project, the Central Scranton Expressway will be paved in Lackawanna County;
- Replacing the Route 924 (Gold Star Highway) bridge over Mahanoy Creek, Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, and Main Street with a new five span, four-lane structure in Gilberton Borough, Schuylkill County, in PennDOT's Allentown-based region;
- In PennDOT's southeastern district, installing Intelligent Transportation System improvements on U.S. 30 (Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass) and a 20-mile stretch of Business U.S. 30 from west of Route 10 (Octorara Trail) in West Sadsbury Township to the U.S. 30 (Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass) Interchange with U.S. 202 in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, to improve traffic operations in advance of the U.S. 30 reconstruction and improvements project beginning in the mid-2020s;
- Replacing the northbound and southbound bridges that carry I-83 over Route 851 at Exit 4 for Shrewsbury in southern York County with structures allowing enough clearance for Route 851 to be widened to four lanes and realigned into a new Diverging Diamond Interchange;
- Highway reconstruction including widening and vertical realignment on 4.4 miles of East Mud Pike Road beginning at the intersection of Route 2031 (Garrett Shortcut Road) continuing north to U.S. Route 219 (Berlin Plank Road), in Brothersvalley Township, Somerset County, in PennDOT's Hollidaysburg-based region;
- Safety improvements at the Route 68/Dolby Street intersection including traffic signal and traffic-flow improvements along with drainage improvements on Route 68 between the I-80 interchange and Dolby Street in Monroe Township, Clarion County, part of PennDOT's Indiana-based region;
- Preservation of more than 100 bridges, walls, and overhead sign structures, as well as concrete repairs, paving and HOV-lane reconstruction work on I-279 (Parkway North) in the city of Pittsburgh, and Ross and Ohio townships in Allegheny County will finish this summer in PennDOT's Bridgeville-based district; and
- Route 519 safety project including widening Route 519 from the I-79 ramps to the U.S. 19 ramp intersection, improvements to the Route 519 and I-79 ramps intersection, and enhancements to the Route 519/Route 980/U.S. 19 ramps intersection in Washington County, part of PennDOT's Uniontown-based district.
Despite record-breaking flooding and significant slide damage last year, thousands of miles of roadway were improved and nearly 750 bridges were repaired, rebuilt or preserved. Information on results PennDOT is delivering for the state's transportation network is viewable at www.penndot.gov/results.
"Even as funding continues to be a challenge and despite federal inaction on meaningful transportation investment, we continue to deliver for Pennsylvanians," Richards said.
Motorists can check conditions and active traffic impacts from construction on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 860 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
View projects underway or anticipated in 2019 at www.projects.penndot.gov. Residents can subscribe to PennDOT news at www.penndot.gov under "Regional Offices."
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