Next year’s rehabilitation of just under a mile of West Washington Street will be more than a makeover — it’s going to be a full-scale reconstruction.

“The project … is a roadway and safety improvement that isn’t expected to bid until mid-December,” said Timothy Nebgen, spokesman for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. “As such, the full construction schedule isn’t available yet. That said, the expectation is that it would start in the 2026 construction season and continue into 2027.”

The work area is from the intersection with Mechanic Street out to the city line.

“The project will adjust the profile and cross slope of the roadway to reestablish the water table and more efficiently collect stormwater from the roadway,” he explained. “At present, there are several areas where stormwater is ponding in the roadway or flowing onto adjacent properties due to little or nor curb reveal throughout the corridor.”

Motorists and pedestrians in Bradford are likely familiar with the ponds of water along the sides of the street, especially in areas like the entrance to Country Fair.

Nebgen continued, “It will also replace the existing drainage system and add additional inlets where necessary. PennDOT is working with the water authority and the sanitary authority to incorporate their needed infrastructure improvements into the scope of work for this project.”

Steve Disney, executive director of both the water and sanitary authorities, has said significant work will be required by the utilities for the project, including rerouting some lines and lowering some manholes.

This is because the project is doing more than just repaving — it’s a road reconstruction.

“Multiple factors led to PennDOT’s decision to reconstruct the pavement section. One was drainage,” Nebgen said. “To re-establish the curb height without negatively affecting adjacent properties throughout the corridor, it was necessary to lower the roadway profile.

“We are also replacing the subsurface drainage, as much of it was inadequate and in poor condition,” he continued.

“Another consideration was the extent of the pavement distress in the corridor, which had reached a level that made it impractical to rehabilitate,” he said. “Lastly, geotechnical investigations during design indicated several areas of poor subgrade in the project corridor. Those areas of unsuitable material will need to be removed and replaced with competent subgrade during construction.”

Along with the road being redone, PennDOT also plans to replace aging traffic signals.

“Installation of the existing signals occurred in 1989. The cost estimates for the traffic signals range between $400,000 and $500,000 per intersection, which includes all the infrastructure, pavement markings, and curb ramps,” Nebgen said.

Those will be replaced at the intersections of West Washington Street, Mechanic Street, Center Street and Interstate Parkway.

So far, plans are for the road to remain open during the lengthy project.

“We plan to maintain a single lane and are evaluating the feasibility of a detour for one direction of traffic,” Nebgen said.