Centre County projects worth $52M are among highlights for PennDOT’s construction season
The ubiquitous orange traffic cone — a leading cause of gesticulations and retorts of “What are they doing?” at merge points — is making its return to Centre County.
Three construction projects with a combined price tag of about $53 million are among those on the state Transportation Department’s spring and summer schedule.
Some are set to resume after a winter break while others are just getting started. Plan accordingly.
Four months of wall repairs in Bellefonte
A long-term, nearly $400,000 fix to repair a partially collapsed wall along a busy gateway in Bellefonte is expected to begin in earnest as soon as Monday.
With traffic controls and signage in place, installation of a new wall on a section of South Water Street between Mill and West High streets is set to begin. Temporary repairs were completed in December.
Northbound traffic is detoured to Stoney Batter. The official detour routes drivers to South Spring Street, West Bishop Street, North Allegheny Street, West Linn Street and back to state Route 150.
Southbound traffic uses the northbound lane. The borough warned of 15-minute stoppages, as needed. The sidewalk is closed.
The project is set to be completed by Aug. 7. Detours are scheduled to be lifted by the end of July.
The wall that runs along Spring Creek partially collapsed in November, in part because of erosion and deterioration. Repairs include removing the temporary wall and construction of a new retaining wall with solider piles.
Steve Fantechi, PennDOT’s assistant district executive for construction in the region that includes Centre County, brushed off any worry about other portions of the wall potentially collapsing in the future, saying he has “no stability concerns.”
Added Assistant Construction Manager Marc Maney: “As of right now, there is no concern. Our design units came out and checked everything out and we’re good with the repairs that we’re adding to it right now. As far as the reliability or how long it’s going to last, if there’s any issues with the wall the rest of the way down through there time will tell.”
Reconstruction of South Atherton Street returns
The roadwork schedule for the $30.7 million project — while subject to change — is set through 2024. Water line replacement, drainage, repaving and streetscape work is on the docket this year.
The ends of the Atherton Street project — Curtin Road to College Avenue; Irvin Avenue to Westerly Parkway — are set to be addressed next year.
A drainage system was in serious need of an upgrade as far back as 2010. Some pipe was rusted out and needed to be replaced; otherwise, sinkholes and other unwanted consequences awaited.
Interstate 80 bridge replacements
Work on I-80 bridge replacements over Route 1010 and T-476 in Marion Township are scheduled to begin. The project is estimated to cost $22.6 million.
