STATE COLLEGE – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is issuing a beginning of July update for its North Atherton Street (Route 3014) project in State College.
Work will carry through 2019, with phased work zones stretching from Aaron Drive to Park Avenue. Work includes 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.
The project page for this work can be found at www.penndot.gov/AthertonStreet.
Motorists can expect the following July 1 through 5:
- West Aaron Drive to Park Avenue—entire length of project:
- No additional lane closures will be implemented Wednesday, July 3 and Thursday, July 4. Two lanes will remain open in both directions throughout the length of the project on these days.
- When traffic control is reduced to a single lane heading toward the University near the Park Avenue intersection, left turns will be restricted between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to maintain the flow of traffic.
- Portions of sidewalk are currently removed on both sides of Atherton Street between Cherry Lane and Hillcrest Avenue. Signing is in place directing pedestrian traffic to use side streets.
- Pedestrian safety is important. Currently pedestrians can cross Atherton Street using the intersections at Aaron Drive, North Hills Place, Blue Course Drive, Hillcrest Avenue and Cherry Lane. Crossing at other locations is not recommended.
- Motorists are reminded the speed limit remains reduced to 25 miles per hour from Aaron Drive to the State College Borough line near Mitchell Avenue. This speed reduction will be in place until project completion in October of 2019. The speed limit from Mitchell Avenue to Park Avenue within State College Borough is already permanently posted at 25 miles per hour.
- Motorists are also reminded not to block signalized intersections while the signal is red. This prevents traffic from side streets from crossing the roadway. It is also a violation of the vehicle code enforceable by fine.
- Drivers are reminded to “share the road” and be alert for pedestrians, bicyclists and buses as they move through this work zone.
- West Aaron Drive to Blue Course Drive:
- No work anticipated
- Blue Course Drive to Hillcrest Avenue:
- Daylight lane closures will be installed throughout the week to complete installation of concrete curb and sidewalk. Traffic will be reduced to at least a single lane in each direction.
- Village Drive on the left side of Atherton Street heading toward the University, will be closed at various times throughout the week. These closures are necessary to complete curb and sidewalk work. Message boards will indicate when the street closure is in place, so alternate routes can be used.
- Portions of sidewalk are currently removed on both sides on Atherton Street between Cherry Lane and Hillcrest Avenue. Signing is in place directing pedestrian traffic to use side streets.
Hillcrest Avenue to Park Avenue:
- Effective Monday, July 1, pedestrian signal heads at Park Avenue will be de-activated. A pedestrian detour will direct walkers to Curtin Road to cross Atherton Street.
- On Monday, July 1, the contractor will be implementing a long-term lane closure on the far-right side of Atherton Street traveling toward the University. Line eradicating and painting will be performed throughout the day. Travel delays are to be expected. The lane closure is being implemented to perform curbing and sidewalk installation in this area. After the work zone is set up, two lanes will remain open for inbound traffic and two lanes will remain open for outbound traffic when the contractor is not working. However, when the contractor is working, traffic will be reduced to at least a single lane in each direction.
- Hillcrest Avenue, Arbor Way, and Ridge Avenue on the right side of Atherton Street heading toward the University, will be closed at various times throughout the week to complete concrete curb and sidewalk. Message boards will indicate when the street closures are in place, so alternate routes can be used.
Park Avenue to Curtin Road:
- No work anticipated.
Additionally:
Flaggers may be present in the roadway directing traffic and traffic may be stopped for short periods of time. Please be patient and courteous to other drivers. Do not follow construction equipment into a closed lane.
Motorists are asked to use both lanes to the merge points throughout the work zone. This will minimize traffic backlogs and travel delays in the work zone.
Property owners are encouraged to approach workers on the project if they need assistance entering or exiting their properties. The contractor is aware of the necessity to move equipment and or plate over excavations quickly and safely to allow for access.
All work is weather and schedule dependent. 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.
PennDOT reminds drivers that they can subscribe to PennDOT news in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Potter counties at www.penndot.gov/District2.
PennDOT encourages drivers to “Know before they go” and to check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com.
511PA is free, available 24 hours a day, and provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 950 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 Web site.
For regional updates on Twitter, follow www.twitter.com/511PAStateColl.
