Clearfield, PA –Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced over $195 million in highway and bridge improvements that will come to fruition across the north central region during the 2017 construction season.
“It’s exciting to note the many improvements Pennsylvanians will see this year across this rural, nine-county region,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Travel, along with the delivery of goods and services in our more rural areas, is vital to our residents and these improvements will make that travel more convenient, efficient, and safe.”
Overall highlights in the 2017 construction season for District 2 (Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties) include:
- approximately 210 miles of paving;
- approximately 54 bridges will be repaired or replaced; and
- approximately 276 miles of roadway will see seal coating or micro-surfacing to extend pavement life.
District 2 Executive Karen Michael said, “In a PennDOT region that stretches from the Juniata River Valley to our northern state line, we strive to involve our planning partners, municipalities, legislators, and other customers as we prioritize projects across such a large area.”
Notable projects that have been bid include:
- the Route 155 Cowley Run bridge replacement project in Portage Township, Cameron County, for $1.6 million;
- the continuation of the Route 3045 (Waddle Road) bridge and roadway project in State College, Centre County for $14.7 million;
· the Route 322 intersection safety improvement project in Bradford Township, Clearfield County at $3 million;
· the Route 255 highway restoration project from Sabula to Penfield in Clearfield County
estimated at $6.2 million;
· the Route 120 (Paul Mack Boulevard) in Clinton County featuring concrete patching and resurfacing, along with pavement restoration and drainage in downtown Lock Haven at $5.4 million;
· safety improvements at the intersection of Route 66 and Route 948 in Elk County at $1.8 million. Project includes a partnership with Federal Forest Service;
· the Route 35 bridge preservation project to address repairs and preservation of five structures in Spruce Hill, Walker, Delaware, and Milford Townships, Juniata County at $3.9 million;
· the Route 4004 bridge replacement over Tunungwant Creek in Bradford Township, McKean County at $3 million, a partnership with the Pitt/Bradford campus;
· a Route 3002 bridge preservation project for three structures in Armagh Township and Lewistown Borough in Mifflin County at $3.6 million; and
· continuation of the Route 6 betterment project in downtown Coudersport, Potter County including a new bridge superstructure at $4.8 million.
Notable projects that are expected to be bid this year include:
- the Interstate 80 restoration project of 14 miles in Centre County from mile-marker 138 to mile-marker 152 including preservation of two bridges, estimated at $35 million;
· the Route 44 highway restoration project from Coneville to Shinglehouse in Potter County, including preservation of three structures at an estimated cost of $10.5 million.
The investments complement the department’s Road Maintenance and Preservation, or Road MaP, program, which Governor Wolf recently announced will invest $2.1 billion in maintenance and highway and bridge capital projects over the next 10 years. Of the investments, $1 billion will go to roadway maintenance and $1.1 billion will go to highway and bridge capital projects. Of the capital projects, $500 million will be allocated to an Interstate preservation and reconstruction program, bringing that total program, begun in 2016, to $1 billion over the next 10 years. Another $600 million will go toward rehabilitation and reconstruction needs identified through the department's district and regional planning efforts.
