“These roadway and bridge improvements are being performed to improve mobility for our citizens and businesses,” said Governor Wolf. “These projects also aim to improve safety.”
“The investments being highlighted today illustrate our commitment to urban and rural communities alike as we support Pennsylvanians’ safety and quality of life,” said Richards.
Today’s announcement was made at the office of PennDOT’s Engineering District 5 which serves Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties. Work in that region this year will pave approximately 299 miles of roads and replace or rehabilitate 61 bridges. The department anticipates investing more than $360 million in the east central region this year.
“We look forward to the new construction season, and the opportunity it presents to fix and improve our highway system,” PennDOT District 5 Executive Michael W. Rebert said. “We are proud to provide motorists with a safe, efficient transportation network and look forward to building on our
accomplishments.”
Along with projects to replace or rehabilitate bridges, waterproof membranes will be applied to the decks of 19 more bridges in the region to preserve the bridges and extend their service life.
Notable projects that will continue this year include:
Schuylkill County
• Project to improve I-81 between exits 124 (PA 61) and 131 (PA 54) in Schuylkill County including milling, paving, and placing new line paint on the section of I-81, also includes milling and paving the interchange ramps at Exit 124 ($11 million);
• U.S. 209 Bridge over Reading Blue Mountain Northern Railroad and West Branch Schuylkill River replacement in Branch Township, Schuylkill County ($4.9 million);
• Route 443 Pavement Preservation Project in Pine Grove Borough and Township, Schuylkill County ($1.2 million);
• Route 309 Pavement Preservation Project in Rush Township, Schuylkill County ($3.9 million).
Berks County
• Rehabilitation of the Penn Street Bridge over U.S. 422/West Shore Bypass in City of Reading and West Reading Borough, Berks County ($42.5 million);
• Interstate 78 at Exit 40 interchange reconstruction including reconstruction of mainline between Long Lane Road and approximately 1.2 miles west of Old Route 22 in Greenwich Township, Berks County ($42 million);
• Reconstruction of Route 662 and Park Road in Fleetwood Borough, Berks County (Route 662 from just north of Poplar Road to just south of Schiery Road, and Park Road/Main Street/Fleetwood Lyons Road from the Fleetwood Community Park to just west of Dryville Road), includes reconstructing both roads, upgrading utilities, upgrading traffic signals at Main and Richmond streets and Main
and Franklin streets, and new curb ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act ($12.6 million);
• Improvement of intersection of U.S. 222/Kutztown Road and Route 662/Moselem Springs Road in Richmond Township, Berks County, including replacing the signalized intersection with a modern roundabout, widening U.S. 222 to four lanes at the roundabout approaches, anddrainage improvements ($6.6 million);
• East Wall Street Bridge over Schuylkill River replacement in Leesport Borough, Berks County ($4.8 million);
Carbon County
• Route 534 Bridge over Swamp Run replacement in Kidder Township, Carbon County ($1.1 million);
• Resurfacing of U.S. 209 in Lansford Borough, Carbon County ($2.89 million);
• Resurfacing of U.S. 209 in Summit Hill and Nesquehoning boroughs, Carbon County ($1.2 million);
• Repairs to 21 bridges in various municipalities in Carbon, Monroe, and Schuylkill counties ($8.3 million);
Lehigh County
• U.S. 22 at Fullerton Avenue Interchange: reconstruction and replacement of U.S. 22 bridges over Lehigh River in Lehigh County ($64.7 million);
• Rehabilitation of the Tilghman Street Bridge over Lehigh River, Norfolk Southern Rail Road and local streets in the City of Allentown, Lehigh County ($21.9 million);
• Repair and resurface I-78 in Lehigh County ($7.6 million);
• Addition of an auxiliary lane on I-78 east and west between U.S. 22 and Route 100 in Lehigh County ($5.1 million);
Monroe County
• Reconstruction of Route 611 from Scotrun to Swiftwater in Pocono Township, Monroe County, including creating new traffic lanes with two through lanes and a center left turning lane, designated left turn lanes at intersections; installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of Route 611 and
Brookdale Road; replacing the Route 611 bridge over Scotrun; repairing the Route 611 culvert over Scotrun; and repairing the Route 611 culvert over a tributary to Scotrun ($12.3 million);
Notable projects that are expected to begin this year include:
Schuylkill County
• Resurfacing of Route 901 in Minersville Borough, Cass and Foster townships, Schuylkill County ($2.5 million);
• Gap Street Bridge replacement over Pine Creek in Hegins Township, Schuylkill
County ($1.6 million);
• Resurfacing of Route 443 in Pine Grove Borough and Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill County ($1.2 million).
Berks County
• Reconstruction of I-78 between Exit 35 (PA 143/Lenhartsville) and Lehigh County line in Greenwich Township, Berks County (estimated $165 - $175 million);
• Reconstruction of Business Route 422 in City of Reading, Mt. Penn and St. Lawrence boroughs and Exeter Township, Berks County ($11.8 million);
• Shoey Road Bridge replacement over Schuylkill River in Centre Township and Shoemakersville Borough, Berks County ($3.7 million);
• Schaeffer Road Bridge replacement over Willow Creek in Maidencreek Township, Berks County ($1.1 million);
Carbon County
• Resurfacing of Route 902 in Summit Hill Borough, Carbon County ($283,000);
• Fritz Valley Road Bridge replacement over Normal Creek in Mahoning Township, Carbon County ($1.1 million);
Lehigh County
• Route 29 Bridge replacement over Indian Creek in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County ($2.5 million);
• Resurfacing of Route 100 in Macungie Borough, Lower Macungie and Upper Milford townships, Lehigh County ($1.5 million);
Monroe County
• Replacement of two ramp bridges at Exit 310 on I-80, including installation of a roundabout at intersection of River Road, Foxtown Hill Road and Broad Street in Delaware Water Borough and Smithfield Township, Monroe County ($14.1 million);
• Reconstruction and widening of a portion of Route 115 in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County ($6.9 million);
• Resurfacing of Route 611 in Stroudsburg Borough and Stroud Township, Monroe County ($1.7 million);
Northampton County
• Resurfacing of Center Street in City of Bethlehem, Northampton County ($4.5 million);
• Repairing and resurfacing of Wood Avenue/Hackett Avenue/Tatamy Road/South Eighth Streetin Palmer Township and Wilson, Tatamy and Stockertown boroughs, Northampton County ($1.2 million);
• Resurfacing of Easton Avenue in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County ($643,000);
“Our construction projects involve extensive coordination with our planning partners, counties, municipalities, school districts and other stakeholders,” Rebert said. “We are eager to begin this season’s work for the benefit of our region.”
As construction projects are underway in the region, the traveling public can anticipate seeing many work zones and are urged to keep in mind their safety and the safety of highway workers. When encountering a work zone, please 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.
Complementing the significant projects in the east central region, Governor Wolf recently reinforced the administration's commitment to rural roads with new plans to improve more than 1,100 rural and low-volume roadway miles and rehabilitate or replace at least 85 municipally owned bridges over five years.
“The investments being highlighted today illustrate our commitment to urban and rural communities alike as we support Pennsylvanians’ safety and quality of life,” said Richards.
Today’s announcement was made at the office of PennDOT’s Engineering District 5 which serves Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties. Work in that region this year will pave approximately 299 miles of roads and replace or rehabilitate 61 bridges. The department anticipates investing more than $360 million in the east central region this year.
“We look forward to the new construction season, and the opportunity it presents to fix and improve our highway system,” PennDOT District 5 Executive Michael W. Rebert said. “We are proud to provide motorists with a safe, efficient transportation network and look forward to building on our
accomplishments.”
In addition to construction projects, PennDOT’s regional county maintenance employees will resurface 15 miles of lower-traffic roads with Recycled Asphalt Pavement this year.
Along with projects to replace or rehabilitate bridges, waterproof membranes will be applied to the decks of 19 more bridges in the region to preserve the bridges and extend their service life.
Notable projects that will continue this year include:
Schuylkill County
• Project to improve I-81 between exits 124 (PA 61) and 131 (PA 54) in Schuylkill County including milling, paving, and placing new line paint on the section of I-81, also includes milling and paving the interchange ramps at Exit 124 ($11 million);
• U.S. 209 Bridge over Reading Blue Mountain Northern Railroad and West Branch Schuylkill River replacement in Branch Township, Schuylkill County ($4.9 million);
• Route 443 Pavement Preservation Project in Pine Grove Borough and Township, Schuylkill County ($1.2 million);
• Route 309 Pavement Preservation Project in Rush Township, Schuylkill County ($3.9 million).
Berks County
• Rehabilitation of the Penn Street Bridge over U.S. 422/West Shore Bypass in City of Reading and West Reading Borough, Berks County ($42.5 million);
• Interstate 78 at Exit 40 interchange reconstruction including reconstruction of mainline between Long Lane Road and approximately 1.2 miles west of Old Route 22 in Greenwich Township, Berks County ($42 million);
• Reconstruction of Route 662 and Park Road in Fleetwood Borough, Berks County (Route 662 from just north of Poplar Road to just south of Schiery Road, and Park Road/Main Street/Fleetwood Lyons Road from the Fleetwood Community Park to just west of Dryville Road), includes reconstructing both roads, upgrading utilities, upgrading traffic signals at Main and Richmond streets and Main
and Franklin streets, and new curb ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act ($12.6 million);
• Improvement of intersection of U.S. 222/Kutztown Road and Route 662/Moselem Springs Road in Richmond Township, Berks County, including replacing the signalized intersection with a modern roundabout, widening U.S. 222 to four lanes at the roundabout approaches, anddrainage improvements ($6.6 million);
• East Wall Street Bridge over Schuylkill River replacement in Leesport Borough, Berks County ($4.8 million);
Carbon County
• Route 534 Bridge over Swamp Run replacement in Kidder Township, Carbon County ($1.1 million);
• Resurfacing of U.S. 209 in Lansford Borough, Carbon County ($2.89 million);
• Resurfacing of U.S. 209 in Summit Hill and Nesquehoning boroughs, Carbon County ($1.2 million);
• Repairs to 21 bridges in various municipalities in Carbon, Monroe, and Schuylkill counties ($8.3 million);
Lehigh County
• U.S. 22 at Fullerton Avenue Interchange: reconstruction and replacement of U.S. 22 bridges over Lehigh River in Lehigh County ($64.7 million);
• Rehabilitation of the Tilghman Street Bridge over Lehigh River, Norfolk Southern Rail Road and local streets in the City of Allentown, Lehigh County ($21.9 million);
• Repair and resurface I-78 in Lehigh County ($7.6 million);
• Addition of an auxiliary lane on I-78 east and west between U.S. 22 and Route 100 in Lehigh County ($5.1 million);
Monroe County
• Reconstruction of Route 611 from Scotrun to Swiftwater in Pocono Township, Monroe County, including creating new traffic lanes with two through lanes and a center left turning lane, designated left turn lanes at intersections; installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of Route 611 and
Brookdale Road; replacing the Route 611 bridge over Scotrun; repairing the Route 611 culvert over Scotrun; and repairing the Route 611 culvert over a tributary to Scotrun ($12.3 million);
Notable projects that are expected to begin this year include:
Schuylkill County
• Resurfacing of Route 901 in Minersville Borough, Cass and Foster townships, Schuylkill County ($2.5 million);
• Gap Street Bridge replacement over Pine Creek in Hegins Township, Schuylkill
County ($1.6 million);
• Resurfacing of Route 443 in Pine Grove Borough and Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill County ($1.2 million).
Berks County
• Reconstruction of I-78 between Exit 35 (PA 143/Lenhartsville) and Lehigh County line in Greenwich Township, Berks County (estimated $165 - $175 million);
• Reconstruction of Business Route 422 in City of Reading, Mt. Penn and St. Lawrence boroughs and Exeter Township, Berks County ($11.8 million);
• Shoey Road Bridge replacement over Schuylkill River in Centre Township and Shoemakersville Borough, Berks County ($3.7 million);
• Schaeffer Road Bridge replacement over Willow Creek in Maidencreek Township, Berks County ($1.1 million);
Carbon County
• Resurfacing of Route 902 in Summit Hill Borough, Carbon County ($283,000);
• Fritz Valley Road Bridge replacement over Normal Creek in Mahoning Township, Carbon County ($1.1 million);
Lehigh County
• Route 29 Bridge replacement over Indian Creek in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County ($2.5 million);
• Resurfacing of Route 100 in Macungie Borough, Lower Macungie and Upper Milford townships, Lehigh County ($1.5 million);
Monroe County
• Replacement of two ramp bridges at Exit 310 on I-80, including installation of a roundabout at intersection of River Road, Foxtown Hill Road and Broad Street in Delaware Water Borough and Smithfield Township, Monroe County ($14.1 million);
• Reconstruction and widening of a portion of Route 115 in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County ($6.9 million);
• Resurfacing of Route 611 in Stroudsburg Borough and Stroud Township, Monroe County ($1.7 million);
Northampton County
• Resurfacing of Center Street in City of Bethlehem, Northampton County ($4.5 million);
• Repairing and resurfacing of Wood Avenue/Hackett Avenue/Tatamy Road/South Eighth Streetin Palmer Township and Wilson, Tatamy and Stockertown boroughs, Northampton County ($1.2 million);
• Resurfacing of Easton Avenue in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County ($643,000);
“Our construction projects involve extensive coordination with our planning partners, counties, municipalities, school districts and other stakeholders,” Rebert said. “We are eager to begin this season’s work for the benefit of our region.”
As construction projects are underway in the region, the traveling public can anticipate seeing many work zones and are urged to keep in mind their safety and the safety of highway workers. When encountering a work zone, please 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.