Crews transition traffic patterns to finish Connellsville project
CONNELLSVILLE – Nearly one year after reconstruction began on the northbound lanes of the Memorial Bridge, crews are set to switch traffic patterns and finish the project. Beginning June 16, motorists using Route 119 will move from the southbound lanes of travel to the northbound lanes so that work can begin on the second phase of the $14.1 million road improvement project.
“Motorists will need to watch for slow moving traffic and stoppages as the transitions are made,” said PennDOT community relations coordinator Valerie Petersen, adding that the complete changeover could take up to a week.
Since July, Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. of Washington made fabricated steel infrastructural repairs to the Memorial Bridge in addition to installing new beams on the Sixth Street Bridge.
Similar work will be done during the second phase of the project, according to PennDOT.
During the reconstruction, a 6-foot pedestrian/bicyclist lane will be added to accommodate riders using the Yough River Trail through the city and the planned connection with the Coal & Coke Trail. Both trails are a part of the Great Allegheny Passage that connects Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.
Previously, the bridge offered pedestrians a 5-foot sidewalk. The new barrier to protect walkers and riders from the vehicular traffic will allow for the viewing of the Youghiogheny River.
The project also includes the removal, repair and re-installation of lights that line the Memorial Bridge.
The state-owned and maintained 803-foot, steel-plate bridge was constructed in 1952 and carries traffic over the Youghiogheny River, CSX railroad and bike trail.