Initial construction activity will get underway soon for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) North Atherton Street project in State College. The entire project will take place through 2019, with phased work zones stretching from Aaron Drive to Park Avenue. Work will include relocation of numerous utility lines, relocation of sewer and water lines, drainage improvements, curbing, sidewalks, ADA ramps, traffic signal upgrades, a new concrete median, and paving.
Through the end of March, motorists can expect to encounter the following:
— Beginning Tuesday, March 20, the contractor will be removing the center concrete median at the intersection of North Atherton Street and Aaron Drive. The concrete will be replaced with bituminous material. This work is in preparation for project traffic control and is expected to take one to two days. North and south passing lanes and the center turning lane will be closed during this work. No left turns will be permitted along this stretch of North Atherton during this work.
— On Monday, March 26, the contractor will begin water and sewer line replacement throughout the project. Work will begin at the North Atherton Street and Aaron Drive intersection and continue to Blue Course Drive. Water and sewer line replacement work will advance to Park Avenue throughout the construction season as work zones become available upon completion of utility contractor’s work. Lane closures will be associated with these operations, with lane closures alternating as needed. There also will be some night work associated with these operations.
— Utility contractors will continue performing relocation work from Blue Course Drive to Park Avenue. Lane closures will be associated with these relocations. Utility work will continue through June.
— Flaggers will be present in the roadway directing traffic. Traffic may be stopped for short periods of time. Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work zone. Do not follow construction equipment into the closed lane.
— Travel delays could occur because of the lane closures — especially during high traffic volume times. Drivers should allow for extra travel time.
All work is weather and schedule dependent. PennDOT will issue project updates on a regular basis. Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. of State College is the contractor on the $12.8 million job. Drivers are reminded to move through work zones with caution, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.
To help make decisions about travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com or www.twitter.com/511PAStateColl.