Campus Life

Lengthy delays expected as North Atherton Street construction continues

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is issuing a mid-March update for its North Atherton Street (Route 3014) project in State College. 

Work is expected to carry through 2019, with phased work zones stretching from Aaron Drive to Park Avenue. Work includes relocation of numerous utility lines, relocation of sewer and water lines, drainage improvements, curbing, sidewalks, ADA ramps, traffic signal upgrades, new concrete median, and paving. 

The project page for this work can be found at www.penndot.gov/AthertonStreet

Motorists can expect the following March 18 through 22:

WEST AARON DRIVE TO PARK AVENUE (ENTIRE LENGTH OF PROJECT)

  • Due to waterline installation work taking place near Park Avenue, long traffic delays are anticipated throughout the week. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes. 
  • The speed limit remains reduced to 25 mph from Aaron Drive to the State College Borough line near Mitchell Avenue. This speed reduction will be in place until project completion in October. The speed limit from Mitchell Avenue to Park Avenue within State College Borough is already permanently posted at 25 mph. 
  • Pedestrian safety is important. Currently pedestrians can cross Atherton Street using the intersections at Aaron Drive, Hillcrest Avenue, Park Avenue and Blue Course Drive. Crossing at other locations is not recommended. 
  • Drivers are reminded to "share the road" and be alert for pedestrians, bicyclists and buses as they move through this work zone. 

WEST AARON DRIVE TO WEST MITCHELL AVENUE

  • No work anticipated.

WEST MITCHELL AVENUE TO HILLCREST AVENUE

  • The contractor will continue installing drainage on the right side of Atherton Street travelling toward the University. Traffic control will consist of daylight lane closures limiting traffic to at least one lane heading toward the University and one lane leaving the University.

CHERRY LANE TO PARK AVENUE

  • Verizon will continue to perform fiber optic splicing on the left side of Atherton Street heading toward the University, requiring a far, left lane closure. This work will take place during the daytime and nighttime hours throughout the week.   

RIDGE AVENUE TO PARK AVENUE

  • The contractor will continue installing waterline on the right side of Atherton Street traveling toward the University. Traffic control will consist of daylight lane closures limiting traffic to at least one lane heading toward the University and one lane leaving the University. This work will take place during daytime and nighttime hours throughout the week. 

Flaggers may be present in the roadway directing traffic and traffic may be stopped for short periods of time. Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work zone. Please use both lanes up to merge points throughout the project. Use of both lanes can minimize delays and travel times. Please be patient and courteous to other drivers. Do not follow construction equipment into the closed lane.  

Property owners are encouraged to approach workers on the project if they need assistance entering or exiting their properties. The contractor is aware of the necessity to move equipment and/or plate over excavations quickly and safely to allow for access. 

All work is weather and schedule dependent. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this $12.8 million job. Drivers are reminded to move through work zones with caution, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.

PennDOT reminds drivers that they can subscribe to PennDOT news in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Potter counties at www.penndot.gov/District2

PennDOT encourages drivers to "Know before they go" and to check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA is free, available 24 hours a day and 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.

Last Updated March 15, 2019