ST. MARYS – Work to improve a northern section of Route 255 in the city of St. Marys began in earnest this past week. The project stretches from the Tractor Supply intersection to Route 120/State Street in St. Marys. Work this year will concentrate on the section between Wendy’s Burgers and Satterlee Fueling.
Once the project completes in late summer 2014, travel along this section of Route 255 will be smoother and more efficient. PennDOT will issue regular updates on this project as work schedules and traffic impacts require.
Activity the week of April 8 will include:
• Motorist need to be alert for changing traffic patterns. On Monday night beginning at 6 p.m., the contractor will begin work to shift traffic into a new traffic pattern. The new pattern will be in place by Tuesday morning. This work will take place on Route 255 between the intersection at Tractor Supply and Iron Run Road. Traffic will be restricted to one lane northbound and one lane southbound. Drivers should be aware that there will also be a left turn lane for northbound traffic and a left turn lane for southbound traffic to allow motorists to turn into businesses and residences. These left turn lanes are for making turning movements only.
• The rest of the week will feature nighttime saw-cutting work on the existing concrete pavement in the work area located in the center of the roadway. This work will be performed on Route 255 between the intersection at Tractor Supply and Iron Run Road.
• During the daytime, the contractor will be grinding tree stumps along Route 255 from approximately Iron Run Road to State Street. No lane closures will be required.
• Also during daytime hours, the contractor will begin demolition of buildings at the Route 255 and West Arch Street intersection. Traffic delays should be expected on West Arch Street. Traffic will need to be stopped periodically on West Arch Street to allow for the safe removal of the buildings. Motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes.
All work is weather and schedule dependent and will take place during daylight hours. Motorists are advised to watch for slow moving and stopped vehicles through the entire work zone. Motorists are advised to be cautious when traveling through the work zone and should obey the posted speed limit.
Overall work includes pavement repair, drainage improvements, addition of a right-turn lane for Route 255 northbound traffic at Vine Street, re-alignment of the Arch Street intersection, a right turn lane on Route 120 east for traffic heading south on Route 255, and other construction items. Dave Gutelius Excavating Inc. of Mifflinburg is the contractor on this $12.8 million project.
About a one-mile section of roadway separates this project from PennDOT’s other Route 255 project that stretches from north of Greenbriar Drive to just south of the Kersey/Route 948 intersection.
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