04/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/15/2024 14:56
04/15/2024
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that it expects to work on more than 100 projects in the northwest region this year, representing an estimated investment of more than $300 million in the state and local transportation systems. Governor Shapiro's commitment to delivering safe highways and bridges across the Commonwealth, remains a top priority. These investments support the Shapiro administration's vision of a safe and reliable transportation network that connects Pennsylvanians to greater opportunity.
Governor Shapiro's 2023-24 budget secured $125 million to fully leverage federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) investments and improve Pennsylvania's roads and bridges. The investment is made possible by decoupling Pennsylvania State Police funding from the Motor License Fund and is the first year of the Governor's four-year proposal to invest an additional $1.25 billion in the state's infrastructure. Statewide in 2023, 684 bridges went out for bid to be repaired, replaced, or preserved and 7,011 roadway miles were improved by department or partner crews.
Along with active work on contracts awarded prior to January 1, District 1, which covers Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties, expects to award 79 contracts this year for work to be done in 2024 and 2025. These include projects supported and accelerated by BIL, which is bringing approximately $25 million in additional funding to the region in 2024. The district anticipates receiving $16.3 million in additional funding in 2025.
"Funding from BIL, as well as discretionary and grant awards secured by the district and our transportation partners, has enabled us to take on a robust 2024 construction and design plan that includes improvements to 120 miles of roadway, as well as replacing, restoring, repairing, or awarding contracts for 49 bridges," said District 1 Executive Brian McNulty.
Among the notable projects slated for work in 2024 is replacement of the Route 318 bridge over Interstate 376, which was significantly damaged in a crash on December 7, 2023. Within 33 hours the damaged portion of the bridge was removed and the PennDOT team was working on plans for a replacement to reopen the roadway. Through an accelerated work schedule, a new structure was designed with a similar alignment of the current structure with an increased vertical clearance for traffic on the interstate. Work on the new bridge starts today.
"The Route 318 bridge is a prime example of the high-level of dedication our PennDOT team has for customer service and partnerships. Our team, with the assistance of engineering firm Michael Baker International, worked diligently to meet rapid deadlines without sacrifices to the quality of the product," McNulty said. "We are proud to be standing here today, less than five months after the incident, to mark the start of construction of the new bridge and reaffirm our commitment to have the new bridge open this year."
Other notable projects that will see active work this year:
Crawford County
Erie County
Forest County
Mercer County
Venango County
Warren County
A complete list of more than 100 District 1 projects is included in the 2024 Construction Program, is available online at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
Along with marking the start of the construction season, PennDOT District 1 is also observing National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 15 to 19, 2024.
"As construction season moves into full swing, it is good to pause and remember the part we all play in keeping our crews, contractors and consultants safe was they work along our roadways," said Dax Nulph, Assistant District Executive for Construction. "We remind motorists to slow down when approaching and traveling through a work zone, giving driving their full attention and obeying traffic signs and flaggers."
PennDOT urges motorists to be alert to changing conditions, avoid distractions, and drive responsibly in work zones. Other tips to stay safe in work zones include:
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
Information about infrastructure in District 1, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D1Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Follow local PennDOT news on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Harry, 814-678-5035 or [email protected]