CLEARFIELD — Buckle up, roadwork season is here.
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) release, more than 60 projects are expected to bid in District 2 this year, comprising an estimated investment of $378 million in the nine-county region’s roads and bridges.
PennDOT District 2 covers McKean, Potter, Cameron, Elk, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Juniata, and Mifflin counties.
The 2023-24 Pennsylvania budget included $125 million to maximize Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments and improve the commonwealth’s roads and bridges.
“The investment is made possible by decoupling Pennsylvania State Police funding from the Motor License Fund and is the first year of the governor’s four-year proposal to invest an additional $1.25 billion in the state’s infrastructure,” PennDOT officials wrote.
Statewide in 2023, 684 bridges went out for bid to be repaired, replaced or preserved and department or partner crews improved 7,011 roadway miles.
“(The Gov. Josh Shapiro) administration’s commitment to investing in our infrastructure coupled with BIL funding helps manage our existing assets while still starting new construction that connects our rural areas with metropolitan centers,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “This ensures safe and efficient transportation for all Pennsylvanian’s and spurs economic growth.”
Improvements to be made this year in District 2 include 163 miles of paving, 493 miles of sealcoating, a bridge removal, 12 bridge rehabilitations and 15 bridge replacements.
Ongoing local projects include two bridge improvements in Eldred Borough and the resurfacing of U.S. Route 6 from the McKean County line to Fishing Creek in Potter County.
Several notable projects are expected to begin this year in The Era’s four-county region.
In McKean County, bridges will be replaced over both Tram Hollow ($2 million) and Gates Hollow ($1.2 million) runs, with completion anticipated in November 2025. The previously announced restoration of Route 646 from Ormsby to Cyclone, $4.9 million, is expected to be complete in October.
Potter County’s schedule includes bridge preservation on Peet Brook Road (Route 4011) and Shay Town/Sunny Side Road (Route 4017) in Hebron and Roulette. That project, estimated at $4.1 million, should be complete by July. A bridge replacement on Mille Street (Route 1022) over Pine Creek, estimated at $3.2 million, is expected to be complete in November.
Cameron County will receive a countywide guardrail replacement, estimated at $545,000 and due to be complete in March 2026. Highway restoration along routes 120 and 872, at roughly $659,000, should wrap up in November.
Elk County will see a $3.2 million restoration of U.S. Route 219 from Ridgway to Johnsonburg, due to be complete in October.
PennDOT officials reminded motorists when encountering a work zone, drive the posted speed limit, turn on your headlights, pay close attention to signs and flaggers and avoid all distractions. In high traffic locations, motorists are encouraged to use both lanes of travel to the merge point and are to take turns merging into the open lane.
Check conditions on major roadways at www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
