I-80 work to begin in Mercer County by month’s end

Staff report

MERCER, PA.

Work on a $13.4 million improvement project that will give motorists a smoother ride on Interstate 80 in Mercer County is scheduled to begin at the end of the month.

The project will restore the pavement on approximately 15 miles of Interstate 80, extending from the Ohio/Pennsylvania state line to Exit 15 (Mercer, state Route 19) through Shenango, Lackawannock and East Lackawannock townships in the county, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Work is expected to begin the week of Feb. 29 and will be completed by mid-November.

Work will involve patching concrete sections of the highway and milling and resurfacing bituminous sections.

The project also will update drainage, guide rail and signage, along with tree trimming. The contractor is Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. of State College, Pa. The contract cost is $13,472,080, which is to be paid entirely with federal funds.

On eastbound lanes, work will start at the Ohio/Pennsylvania state line. On westbound lanes, work will start at Exit 15.

No detours are anticipated, as one eastbound and one westbound lane will remain open at all times. There will be lane closures throughout the duration of the project, and motorists should anticipate delays during times when traffic is heavy.

PennDOT urges motorists to slow down when driving in the work zones, and also to be alert to changing conditions, avoid distractions and pay attention to signs and flaggers.