Road Report
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Spring/summer road projects and advisories
May 20, 2013
WATSONTOWN – PennDOT working on a bridge on Route 44 near Watsontown. Initially there is a lane restriction and flagging, then June 10, a 30-day, signed detour will be implemented. The work will be done August 9.
TURBOTVILLE – PennDOT replace seven cross on Route 44 in Lewis Township, between Rovenolt Drive and Pine Street, May 20-31, with daylight closures weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SHAMOKIN – PennDOT will close Irish Valley Road this week, from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 21-22.
TURBOTVILLE – PennDOT is working on the I-180 bridge over Route 54. There is a lane restriction on Route 54 during the day. Then workers will move to an I-180 bridge over Eighth Street Drive. Work will be complete June 7th.
SUNBURY – PennDOT will close Route 61 in Upper Augusta Township for the removal of five large trees on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The work will be performed between Route 890 and Green Street from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. The Snydertown Road/Black Mill Road detour will be utilized.
FISHERS FERRY – PennDOT will delay traffic on Route 147 over Boile Run, about one-half mile south of Fishers Ferry June 5-6. Traffic will be controlled by flagging. Motorists should plan for delays in their travels.
MOUNT CARMEL – PennDOT work on a bridge in Mount Carmel Township June 3. There will be a daylight closure from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a red-arrow detour in place during the closure. The detour will use Route 54 and Route 61.
SHAMOKIN DAM PennDOT is working on a three-mile section of Route 15 in Snyder County, from the intersection with Route 11 at Shamokin Dam, north to the Union-Snyder county line. There are long-term lane closures which will cause traffic delays during the project. All work under this project is scheduled for completion by Sept. 27.
ELYSBURG – A PennDOT bridge crew in Northumberland County has a bridge replacement project underway on Turkey Hill Road in Ralpho Township. The existing, 31’-long state-owned bridge on a local road, about one-quarter mile south of Penn Avenue, was built in 1933 and is currently classified as structurally deficient. This work will include redirecting Pocahontas Creek, removing the existing bridge, placing a new precast concrete box culvert (by a private contractor), pouring new curbs, upgrading guiderail, and paving the box and both roadway approaches. While the work is under way, the road will be closed and traffic detoured to Route 2008 (Penn Avenue), Route 54 and Center Street. The new bridge is scheduled to be open to traffic by mid-June.
MONTANDON – A $3.65 million bridge replacement and rehabilitation project on Route 405 in Northumberland County is underway. Work begins by closing Route 405 at the bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks just west of Housels Run Road, and implementing a signed detour. Also included will be the superstructure (deck & beams) rehabilitation on the nearby two-span bridge over Chillisquaque Creek on Route 405 just south of the intersection with Housels Run Road. Work will take place on both bridges concurrently, with both open to traffic before December 2013.
Motorists wishing to travel south of Montandon on Route 405 will be rerouted east on Route 45, then south onto Route 147. A separate bicycle detour for PA Bike Route J will follow Ridge Road, Mountain Road, Tower Road, Ridge Road, Kremer Road, Snyder Road and Ridge Road. The final roadway resurfacing is scheduled for completion by May 2014.
SUNBURY – Eastern Industries is working on Sunbury’s Wolverton Street project. Traffic can get through but should expect delays. Traffic will be congested and occasionally detoured. Work will be complete in November.
MCCLURE – PennDOT is now replacing the Route 522 bridge over Beaver Creek in West Beaver Township, Snyder County, prime contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. will start work by building a temporary bridge beside the existing bridge so there will only be minor interruptions in traffic flow. Along with the bridge replacement, there will also be guiderail upgrades and bridge approach work performed. Work is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 20.
NORTHUMBERLAND/DANVILLE – A $1.48 million resurfacing project along 2.5 miles of Route 11 in Northumberland County is underway, prime contractor New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. is making bituminous base repairs. Later in the project, the work will also include drainage improvements, guiderail upgrades, two new layers of blacktop, paved shoulders, and new pavement markings.
The work along Route 11 starts at the intersection with De Gruchy Avenue in Northumberland Borough and ends near the intersection with Bulk Plant Road in Point Township. This section of Route 11 is wide enough to accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction during the project. There will, however, be a restriction for over-width loads. Any loads over 14 feet wide will be prohibited from traveling through the work zone from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weekdays. Motorists are reminded to pay full attention to their driving when approaching and passing through the work zone. Be alert for turning vehicles and sudden stops. Drive defensively. All work is scheduled for completion by June 19.
LAURELTON – PennDOT has detoured traffic away from, and is replacing a bridge carrying Route 3003 (Millmont Road) over a tributary to Penns Creek, just north of the Creek Road intersection in Lewis Township. The existing, 11’-long, multi-pipe “bridge” was originally built in 1940 and is classified as structurally deficient. After PennDOT crews demolish the old structure and prepare the site, precast concrete box segments will be set in place by contractor Nestlerode Contracting Co., Inc. PennDOT crews will then complete the project. This work includes new approach roadway pavement and new guiderail. A four-mile detour is implemented using Creek and Davis roads, and will be in effect until approximately May 24.
DANVILLE – A $644,850 safety improvement project along a section of Route 54 at Danville is underway, the safety improvements will extend the acceleration and turning lanes along Route 54 from just north of Montour Street to Route 11. The work will also include placing new drainage inlets, new concrete median and resurfacing of the existing roadway. Prime contractor, HRI, Inc. will implement lane closures, one in each direction, on Monday, April 8. Use caution when entering the construction zone. Traffic patterns will change as the work progresses. This area has heavy traffic volumes; expect delays throughout the project. The work under this project is scheduled to be completed and all lanes open to unrestricted traffic by July 17.
GOWEN CITY – PennDOT has started a $1,299,510 five-bridge rehabilitation project in early April. Three bridges in Northumberland County and one each in Columbia and Montour counties will be rehabilitated under this contract. Prime contractor HRI Construction Co., LLC will start on Route 125, two miles south of Gowen City in East Cameron Township, Northumberland County, with the implementation of a lane closure on Monday, April 8. The work will take place on the existing 130’-long bridge over Mahanoy Creek. The rehab work for this structure includes replacing a strip-seal dam, concrete patching the deteriorated concrete and epoxy coating of the bridge deck. Work on this bridge is scheduled to be completed and the bridge open to unrestricted traffic flow by May 24. As the contractor moves to each successive bridge, project updates will be issued. All work under this five-bridge contract should be completed by Aug. 9.
MIFFLINBURG – The $3.9 million project to reconstruct Route 45 (Chestnut Street) in Mifflinburg, from Route 104 to Forest Hill Road, is underway. Prime contractor Don E. Bower, Inc. will begin work next Monday reconstructing sidewalks and new curbs. The intersection of Route 45 and Forest Hill Road will be reconstructed over one weekend, beginning Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. and ending Monday, April 8 at 6 a.m. The reconstruction phases of Route 45, from Eighth Street to Forest Hill Road, will begin April 8. That morning, the contractor will close down the first three block area from Eighth Street to Fifth Street and begin reconstruction. After this is completed, the crews will work their way east until they finish the reconstruction work.
After reconstruction is completed throughout the borough, the contractor will mill and repave Route 45 from Route 104 to Eighth Street and perform the final paving from Eighth Street to Forest Hill Road. ADA-compliant curb ramps will be upgraded along Route 45, and new sidewalks and curbs will also be done. The reconstruction work on Route 45 will be done in three-block sections at a time. A series of truck and car detours will be in effect from April 5 until Oct. 24. The car detour will follow Market Street through Mifflinburg Borough between Route 104 and Mabel Street. The westbound truck detour is from Route 45 to Dreisbach Church Road, Furnace Road, Brouse Road, Ridge Road, and Route 104 back to Route 45. The eastbound truck detour will be from Route 45 to Route 104, Red Ridge Road, Route 304, and Route 15 back to Route 45. All work is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 31.
SELINSGROVE – The $1.9 million project to rehabilitate the truss bridge on Route 522 over Penns Creek at Selinsgrove (near the Selinsgrove Ford dealership in Snyder County) is underway. Prime contractor Susquehanna Supply Co., Inc. will begin traffic control set-up during the first week. The contractor will make structural steel repairs to the bridge, and replace the deck and sidewalk. Pedestrian traffic access will be maintained throughout the project. Work will be done in half-width construction, with a detour in effect for the northbound traffic. The detour for through traffic will follow Market Street, Route 35, and Routes 11/15 northbound. The local-traffic detour will use Airport Road, Mill Road, Route 204 and Route 522. The detour for northbound traffic will be implemented on April 3and run through Aug. 21. Construction will be completed on Nov. 1.
COAL TOWNSHIP — Route 61 Bridge rehabilitation near Shamokin starts Monday March 11. Workers will rebuild the bridge over Shamokin Creek near Tharptown in Coal Township. Traffic will be maintained but reduced to a single lane in each direction. All work is scheduled for completion by Nov. 1.
TREVORTON — Between Trevorton and Shamokin PennDOT is doing a paving project on Route 225. First drainage improvements, then repaving, will lead to some delays for motorists. The work along Route 225 extends from one mile east of Trevorton to the intersection with Route 61 at Shamokin. Work is scheduled for completion by July 3.
MONTOURSVILLE — On I-80 in Mifflinville, at mile marker 241, one lane between 241 and 242 will be closed Monday. There is extensive road work here and occasional delays. UNDATED — Watch for local, municipal, and township roadwork crews just about anywhere. These local crews tend not to have the advance notice, and sometimes the extensive signage of a larger road project. Beware of local road crews cutting brush, patching roads and doing other road maintenance.
SUNBURY — Stay tuned to WKOK’s Road Report, 10-minutes before the hour each weekday morning for updates on area road projects.
Route 44 Bridge Rehabilitation in Northumberland County Starts May 20
Montoursville – A PennDOT contractor doing rehabilitation work on five state bridges in the region will move to a bridge on Route 44 in Northumberland County on Monday.
This bridge is 133’-long and carries Route 44 over Warrior Run in Delaware Township, one-half mile south of Watsontown. The work on this structure includes concrete repairs on the abutments and piers. Prime contractor HRI, Inc. will implement a lane closure on Monday, May 20, with traffic restricted to a single lane under daylight signing in the first phase of repairs. Starting June 10, a 30-day, signed detour will be implemented. The detour will follow Route 405 and Susquehanna Trail between Watsontown and McEwensville. The bridge is scheduled to be reopened to unrestricted traffic flow by July 10, with the work at this location completed by August 9. All work under this $1.3 million five-bridge rehabilitation contract is scheduled for completion by late September.
May 16, 2013
Irish Valley Road Drainage Improvements Scheduled
Montoursville – A PennDOT maintenance crew in Northumberland County will close a section of Route 4026 (Irish Valley Road) in Rockefeller Township for the replacement of two large cross pipes to improve drainage next week.Irish Valley Road will be closed from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 21-22.The work will be performed between Route 890 and Poplar Road.There will be a detour in place using Route 4024 (Cherry Street) and Route 890.
May 15, 2013
Route 61 Tree Removal Project Scheduled in Upper Augusta Township
Montoursville – A PennDOT maintenance crew in Northumberland County will close a section of Route 61 in Upper Augusta Township for the removal of five large trees on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 21-22.
The work will be performed between Route 890 and Green Street from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. There will be a detour in place using Route 4012 (Snydertown Road) and Route 4009 (Black Mill Road). These particular trees are large, in poor shape and overhanging Route 61, and are being removed in a safety initiative. This work will be performed weather permitting.
MONTOURSVILLE — A PennDOT maintenance crew in Northumberland County will close a section of Route 61 in Upper Augusta Township to facilitate the removal of five large trees on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14-15. The work will be performed between Route 890 and Green Street from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. There will be a detour in place using Route 4012 (Snydertown Road) and Route 4009 (Black Mill Road). These particular trees are large, in poor shape and overhanging Route 61, and are being removed in a safety initiative.
A contractor working for the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority is scheduled to reinstall the old railroad bridge over Route 1010 (White Deer Pike) in White Deer Township, Union County, starting May 15. On that day, White Deer Pike will be closed at the Union County Industrial Railroad overpass location between Old Route 15 Road and the Watsontown River Bridge. A signed detour will be in effect using Route 15, Route 44 and Brimmer Avenue. Lycoming Supply, Inc. will reinstall the bridge sections over White Deer Pike. The detour is scheduled to be lifted by the end of August. The railroad overpass has been out of service since the 1996 flood.
May 9, 2013- Route 11 Project at Bloomsburg and Scott Township Detailed
Montoursville – As part of a $1.5 million, 2-mile resurfacing project, a traffic signal subcontractor will begin work along a section of Route 11 in Columbia County next week. Herr Signal and Lighting will begin work on the existing traffic signals along Route 11 between Park Street in Bloomsburg and Shaffer Road in Scott Township, starting Monday, May 13.This phase of the project will consist of installing video traffic signal detection at the six signalized intersections. Weather permitting, this work will continue through the week of May 20. This work is being done in preparation of a pavement overlay which will be performed by prime contractor HRI, Inc. of Bloomsburg.
Multiple intermittent lane closures will be required throughout the project area. A single lane in each direction will be maintained. The traveling public is reminded to use caution while driving in this area. Plan extra time for your travels.
PennDOT has implemented a new traveler’s advisory service. It is called 511 and motorists can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions before heading out. Voice prompts will help you localize the information and find out about potential traffic delays.
Here is some PennDOT workzone safety advice:
Penn DOT strongly urges motorists to pay full attention to their driving when approaching and passing through any highway work zone. Obey the posted speed limit. Refrain from tailgating. Be alert to the possibility of slow-moving or stopped traffic ahead. Bring along some relaxing music to listen to. Plan extra time for your travels. Always buckle up.
- All motorists are required to travel with their headlights turned on in all posted work zones, not just active workzones. It is necessary for drivers in vehicles with daytime running lights to turn on their headlights in order to activate their taillights. The penalty for driving without lit headlights in a posted work zone is $25. Some Interstate work zones will have a speed-monitoring device to alert motorists of their speed prior to entering the work zone.
- Active work zones are designated as such to notify motorists when they enter and leave the work zone. A white flashing light attached to the “Active Work Zone When Flashing” sign will indicate an active work zone. The flashing light will only be activated when workers are present and turned off when workers are not present.
- Motorists caught driving 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, automatically will lose their license for 15 days.
Fines for certain traffic violations – including speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic devices – are doubled for active work zones. In addition, the law provides for up to five years of additional jail time for individuals convicted of homicide by vehicle for a crash that occurred in an active work zone.
Don’t let your friends drive drunk and DO appoint a designated driver. Remember–party hosts are often held liable for drunk driving accidents, which follow parties.
Here is some PennDOT winter driving advice:
When driving during inclement weather, drivers should increase space between their vehicle and the vehicles ahead to allow for increased stopping distances, particularly on snow or ice covered roads.
Drivers are reminded to allow plenty of space around an operating snowplow and never attempt to get between several snowplows plowing side-by-side in a “plow train.” Plow trains are used on interstates and other limited access roads to clear as much of the road as possible in one pass.
Now is the time to prepare vehicles for winter weather to help avoid breakdowns. Motorists should have a mechanic check their vehicles’ battery, belts and hoses, heater and defroster, tires and anti-freeze level. Additionally, motorists should regularly check their wipers, lights, fluid levels and tire air pressure.
Among the items motorists should consider keeping in their vehicles if they expect to be far from home in extreme conditions are non-perishable food, a cellular telephone, water, a heavy blanket, a shovel, a warm hat, gloves, boots, a tow rope or chain, jumper cables, a bag of sand, portable cell phone charger and a brightly colored flag or other piece of material.
If motorists become stranded, they should stay in their vehicles and only run their engines and heaters every half hour, or so. Make sure tailpipes are clear and keep downwind windows open for fresh air. They should also tie a brightly colored flag onto the highest point of your vehicle to help rescuers locate them. PennDOT also recommends that travelers carry a cellular phone for safety.
During the winter months, PennDOT advises motorists to be alert to the possibility of snow squalls. Motorists need to be alert for squalls since they can quickly cause roads to become snow-covered and slick. In addition, heavy squalls can also cause whiteout conditions, virtually eliminating a driver’s visibility.
If motorists encounter snow squalls while traveling, PennDOT offers these suggestions:
– Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions.
– Turn on your headlights.
– Stay in your lane.
– Increase your following distance.
– Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient.
– Reduce in-car distractions since your full attention is required.
– Use defroster and wipers.
– Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.
– During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely get as far off the road as possible or when there is a safe area to do so.
– Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could create a chain-reaction collision.
– Do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely.
- Always buckle up and never drink and drive.
PennDOT reminds motorists of a new law requiring drivers the removal of all snow and ice from vehicles. There are severe fines if snow or ice that falls from their vehicle causes serious injury or death to other motorists or pedestrians.
The law states, “When snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury, the operator of the vehicle from which the snow or ice came is subject to a fine of $200 to $1,000 for each offense.”
