With construction and utility work continuing, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is issuing an update for its North Atherton Street project in State College. The entire project will take place through 2019, with phased work zones stretching from Aaron Drive to Park Avenue. Work will include relocation of numerous utility lines, relocation of sewer and water lines, drainage improvements, curbing, sidewalks, ADA ramps, traffic signal upgrades, new concrete median, and paving.
Through the first two weeks of May, motorists can expect to encounter the following:
- During the week of April 30, a detour will be in place on Aaron Drive. This detour will direct traffic to Vairo Boulevard. The detour is needed for placement of sewer manholes and to tie the new sewer line into the existing sewer line at the intersection of Aaron Drive and North Atherton Street. Paving is also scheduled to occur on Aaron Drive during the week April 30. Once paving is complete, the detour will be lifted.
- During the week of April 30, the contractor will continue with water line installation by transferring water services over to the new water main.
- No work will be performed by the contractor from Friday, May 4 through Sunday, May 6 due to Penn State graduation. Work will resume on Monday, May 7.
- During the week of May 7, temporary signal poles will be installed at Aaron Drive and North Hills Plaza.
- During the week of May 14, the contractor will continue to pave water and sewer line crossings on Atherton Street and install a waterline crossing at North Hills Plaza.
- Utility contractors will continue performing relocation work from Blue Course Drive to Park Avenue. Lane closures will be associated with these relocations. Utility work will continue through June. Utility contractors will not be working on Friday, May 4 through Sunday, May 6 due to Penn State graduation. Work will resume on Monday, May 7.
- Flaggers will be present in the roadway directing traffic. Traffic may be stopped for short periods of time. Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work zone. Do not follow construction equipment into the closed lane.
- Travel delays could occur because of the lane closures - especially during high traffic volume times. Drivers should allow for extra travel time.
All work is weather and schedule dependent. PennDOT will issue project updates on a regular basis. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this $12.8 million job. Drivers are reminded to move through work zones with caution, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.
To help make decisions about travel, motorists are encouraged to "Know Before You Go" by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting 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 850 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
For regional updates on Twitter, follow www.twitter.com/511PAStateColl