Paving work has begun on the U.S. Route 219 Bradford bypass,
despite contractors being a little behind schedule on the overall
project.

On Thursday, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Community
Relations Coordinator Marla Fannin said paving work has begun on
the southbound lanes of the bypass between Elm Street and Owens
Way.

“Sub-base work has also been going on,” Fannin said, adding the
Bolivar Run Bridge is the only span yet to be demolished. “The work
is progressing.”

Crews will also be busy performing drainage work along the old
southbound lanes, along with continuing excavation.

Roughly five months after work began on the bypass, residents
and motorists alike have witnessed the demolition of a handful of
bridges, major traffic pattern switches and the scouring of the old
pavement from the highway, among other significant measures.

The main contractor for the work is Mascaro Construction Co. of
Pittsburgh.

Officials said the work on the southbound lanes – Phase I of the
$55.4 million project – will likely continue until at least
October, and possibly November, if weather permits.

“Generally, they’ll work into the colder weather as much as they
can,” Fannin said. “Once temperatures dip below a certain point, we
(PennDOT) don’t allow paving to take place. That will probably be
around the start of November. But, that’s hard to predict right
now.”

Fannin did say, however, that work is a few weeks behind
schedule.

“We are continuing to work with Mascaro to get that back on
track,” Fannin said. “There was nothing major they ran into, but
they got off to a slow start, partly because of the weather.”

The beginning of the project was put on hold a handful of times
this spring, as snow showers and cold temperatures persisted to
almost April.

Meanwhile, the construction of new bridges along the bypass
continues.

According to PennDOT officials, Main Street will be restricted
to one lane for substructure work next week, while pile driving
will continue at that site. Also, Mill Street will remain closed in
the vicinity of the bridge for substructure construction there.

Officials said flagmen will be in place on Main Street and
motorists should expect traffic delays.

Main Street will also be narrowed down to one lane of traffic on
Monday and Tuesday as the city’s street paving project gets under
way there. Parking will also not be permitted on the street those
days.

Also, officials said the southbound exit at Forman Street is
closed; southbound traffic can access the downtown area by
following the Route 346 West detour.

Flagmen will also continue to be in place at the truck crossing
on Jackson Avenue near Delaware Avenue. Traffic will be stopped
periodically in that vicinity during work hours.

Meanwhile, Fannin said PennDOT officials will be sitting down
with officials from the Bradford Area School District and its bus
drivers on Wednesday to discuss “what to expect” in regards to the
bus routes when school begins.

School is slated to open on Aug. 28.

Until that time, the following ramps will be closed next week:
southbound off-ramp at Forman Street and all southbound on-and
off-ramps at Kendall and Seaward avenues. Detours will be in place
at those locations.

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.

Traffic will be in this configuration until further notice. The
work is weather dependent.