Wednesday, May 14, 2014

PennDot Announces New Traffic Patterns on Route 61 Through Schuylkill Haven

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced Wednesday afternoon the safety improvement project on Route 61 between Route 183/Douglass Drive and University Drive in the Borough of Schuylkill Haven and North Manheim Township in Schuylkill County is moving forward.

New traffic patterns are being implemented, and tomorrow through early next week drivers will experience daytime lane restrictions with flagging on Route 61 between Route 183/Douglass Drive and Manheim Road while the contractor installs concrete barrier and sets up new long term traffic patterns.

The new traffic patterns, which will be in place for the duration of the project, include reducing Route 61 north to a single lane between Manheim Road and University Drive, restricting left turns from Route 61 north to Route 443/Dock Street, and narrowing the travel lanes through the work zone. Access to all businesses and residences will be maintained during the project.

Drivers should expect possible delays on Route 61 north or south and are advised to allow for extra time and use caution when traveling through the area. Updates will be provided whenever traffic patterns change. Work includes widening and reconstructing Route 61 between Route 183/Douglass Drive and University Drive; installing new sidewalks, drainage facilities, and retaining walls; replacing an eight foot single-span bridge over Willow Creek; and upgrading traffic signals.

PennDot says that this section of Route 61 has an average daily traffic volume of 28,428 vehicles.