Work on the U.S. Route 219 Bradford Bypass project will heat up
next week, with the partial demolition of bridges over Main and
Forman streets, a major traffic pattern switch, closure of a
handful of ramps and utility work, according to the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation on Thursday.

The major portion of the $55.4 million, two-year project – the
switch of traffic on the bypass from the southbound to the
northbound lanes of the highway – was supposed to get under way
Thursday, but was delayed until Monday.

At that time, construction on the southbound lanes will begin by
Mascaro Construction Co. of Pittsburgh, the contractors for the
work. That traffic configuration will remain in place until further
notice.

Officials said the southbound lanes are being completed first
because previous studies have indicated the highway is in worse
condition there. That portion of the project will be folded into
the complete rehabilitation of the 6.93-mile aging bypass from
Owens Way to North Kendall Avenue, including the refurbishment of
the highway and related ramps and replacement of a handful of
bridges.

According to PennDOT officials, during the work on the
southbound lanes the following ramps will be closed to traffic:
southbound off-ramp at Forman Street, and all southbound on and
off-ramps at Kendall and Seaward avenues. Detour signs will be in
place for all ramp closures.

Meanwhile, during that time the following ramps will remain
open: all northbound and southbound ramps at Owens Way; northbound
off-ramp at Elm Street; southbound on-ramp at Elm Street;
northbound on-ramp at Forman Street; northbound on and off-ramps at
Kendall Avenue; and all ramps at Bolivar Drive.

Also of importance to local motorists will be the demolition of
the southbound bridges over Main and Forman streets.

The demolition of the Route 219 southbound bridge over Main
Street will begin Tuesday, while a similar project will get under
way Thursday for the bridge of Forman Street.

Officials said Main Street will be closed in the vicinity of the
Route 219 bridge during working hours. A short-term detour will be
in effect during that time and traffic should follow the detour
route.

Meanwhile, on Forman Street, flaggers will be present to control
traffic and minor delays may occur in that area.

Also, major traffic delays will occur on both Tuesday and
Wednesday on the bypass’s northbound and southbound lanes due to
overhead sign structures being removed. There will be periodic
traffic stoppages in those locations.

The work on Main Street will take place at one of the busiest
intersections in the city; at that point, Main Street is
intersected by Davis Street and is near the Union Square Plaza,
McDonald’s and Tops Friendly Markets, among other businesses.

There is a fear among some that traffic will become
bottle-necked down Main Street and spill off onto the side streets
in the city. Bradford City Police Chief Roger Sager said last week
the department is ready to handle any situation, but stressed that
motorists should slow down and use caution during the extended
period of work.

PennDOT officials also said Mill Street will remain closed for
project work in the vicinity of the Route 219 bridge there and
utility work will continue along Kendall Avenue near the bypass
bridge. Traffic will not be affected in that area, in part, because
work is behind a temporary concrete median barrier.

All the work is dependent on the weather, according to
PennDOT.

Motorists are also being reminded to watch for slow moving and
stopped vehicles throughout the entire work zone.

The second phase of the project – from just above Kendall Avenue
to the New York state line – could be delayed a year due to less
discretionary transportation funding than expected.

That portion of the project should be included in the 2009
Transportation Improvement Program.