Clearfield, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 2 highlighted 2023 construction projects today during a press conference in Bellefonte. District 2 serves Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties. Today’s event was held in Tallyrand Park in Bellefonte, where PennDOT officials discussed projects, impacts of funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the coming National Work Zone Awareness week. 

Improving and maintaining roads and bridges across Pennsylvania is a top priority of the Shapiro administration. Today’s event builds on Governor Shapiro’s commitment to ensuring that PA residents and visitors can travel across the Commonwealth safely and efficiently. 

“2023 construction will bring improvements to roads and bridges that will enhance travel across our rural, northcentral region,” said District 2 Assistant District Executive for Construction, Steve Fantechi. “BIL dollars are being put to good use in meaningful projects across our nine counties.”

“The BIL has brought District 2 its best level of funding since 2019. It has funded projects in construction, has freed non-BIL funding so that other projects could move forward, and is helping to address multi-modal projects and local projects outside of traditional PennDOT jobs.” said District 2 Executive Tom Prestash.

In 2023, PennDOT District 2 will have 85 projects in construction, with an approximate value of $264 million. Overall highlights in the 2023 construction season for the northcentral region – including projects supported and accelerated by the BIL – feature:

• approximately 75 miles of paving;
• approximately 483 miles of roadway sealcoating;
• approximately 39 bridges will be preserved or rehabilitated, 25 bridges replaced; and
• approximately 2 slides will be repaired

Notable ongoing projects this year include:

• Highway restoration and drainage of Route 3014(Atherton Street) in State College,

$30 million, with $2.5 million coming from BIL;

• Bridge preservation over Clearfield Creek east of Clearfield on Route 322; total of $1.2 millionfunded by BIL;
• Bridge replacement on Route 75 over the Norfolk Southern Railroad in Walker Township, Juniata County, $4.1 million; BIL funding is $1.2 million;
• Bridge improvements in two locations over T-398 and WNYPA railroad in Eldred Borough in McKean County, $1.7 million funded by BIL;
• Highway resurfacing/betterment project on Route 1005 (Electric Avenue) in Lewistown Borough, Mifflin County, $5.4 million with $710,000 coming from BIL;and
•  Resurfacing from the McKean County line to Fishing Creek in Potter County on Route 6, $7.7 million.

Notable projects that are expected to begin this year include:

• I-80 bridge replacements over Route 1010 and T-476 in Marion Township, Centre County, $22.6 million;
• Bridge rehabilitation on Route 153 near the Route 219 intersection in Jay Township, Elk County, $2.3 million;
• Bridge preservation at six locations in Fermanagh and Walker Townships in Juniata County, $8.2 million; and
• Highway restoration on Route 244 north toward Oswayo in Potter County, $2 million.

As construction projects progress in the region, the traveling public will encounter many work zones and are urged to keep their safety and the safety of highway workers in mind. Today’s event included a review of work zone safety. PennDOT will observe National Work Zone Awareness Week April 17-21. In work zones, PennDOT reminds drivers to obey the posted speed limit, turn on your headlights, pay close attention to signs and flaggers, and avoid all distractions. 

Motorists should always buckle up before heading out.

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 Twitter alerts. 

Subscribe to PennDOT news in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties at www.penndot.gov/District2.