PennDOT to tackle eight major construction projects this year

SUNBURY — PennDOT has eight major projects in Snyder, Union, Northumberland and Montour counties worth $723.9 million in 2017, including the ongoing $670 million Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project that spans three counties, according to PennDOT spokesman David Thompson.

“These are the big ticket items only,” Thompson said. “There are numerous other projects that can be accessed in the construction website.”

The estimated $670 million Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project — a 13-mile, 4-lane limited access highway project connecting Route 147 south of Interstate 80 to the north end of the Selinsgrove Bypass, anticipated to be completed by 2024 — is welcome among county leaders.

“It’s been long awaited for the people of Snyder County, especially those in Shamokin Dam and Monroe Township,” said Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk. “There’s a great deal of optimism county-wide of relieving the congestion on the strip.”

The business route will give people who want to use the “Golden Strip” as a shopping destination will have easier access and less delay while the through traffic will have quicker access to their destination, Derk said.

The safety improvements and economic impact are also important aspects, he said.

Northumberland County Commissioner Chairman Rick Shoch agrees.

“The thruway should provide a positive impact on our local communities, both in facilitating local commerce and development and in reducing traffic congestion on some of the other local roads and streets,” Shoch said. 

To date the following construction contracts for the thruway are underway: $155.5 million new bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to connect Route 147 south of the Montandon to Route 15 south of Winfield, began in 2015 with 25 percent of the work completed and a $60 million contract for earthwork and non-river structures north of the bridge began in 2016.

A third contract for the construction of an interchange at US 15 in Union County is expected to be bid in the spring. There are tentatively four remaining construction contracts that will be bid between 2020 and 2023 to complete the project, Thompson said. 

The following is a list of other major projects in the Valley:

Montour County

- A $32 million Interstate 80 project that will reconstruct 4.6 miles of the eastbound highway from Route 54 to Columbia County line. The project will include bridge work over Route 54, Mahoning Creek, and Kase Run Road in Valley and West Hemlock townships. Construction began in 2015 and completion is expected in the fall.

- A $675,000 bridge replacement on Gardner Road (T-417) over Beaver Run in Limestone Township. Construction is expected to start in the spring and be completed by the fall. 

Northumberland County

- A $14 million reconstruction project for two miles of Routes 11 (Front Street) and Route 147 (Duke and Water Streets) in Northumberland Borough. Construction to expected to begin in the spring with completion in the fall of 2019.

Snyder County

- A $4.3 million bridge replacement project on Route 522 over Middle Creek in Middle Creek Township. Construction began in the fall of 2016 and completion is expected in the spring of 2018.

Union County

- A $1.9 million Interstate 80 project that will preserve multiple bridges in Union and Northumberland counties. Construction is expected to start in the spring and be completed by the fall. 

- A $1.1 million bridge replacement project on North Third Street over Buffalo Creek in Mifflinburg. Construction began in the spring of 2016 and is expected to be completed this spring.

Source: The Daily Item