PennDOT announced construction of the East Ohio Street/East Street Improvement Project in Historic and East Deutschtowns will begin Monday, July 13, weather permitting, according to a press release.
Crews will begin conducting concrete roadway reconstruction on Madison Avenue and East Street. Traffic restrictions will occur on both roadways according to the following schedule:
Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17
Overnight single-lane restriction of Madison Avenue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from East Street to East Ohio Street
Sunday, July 19
Around-the-clock single-lane restriction of Madison Avenue, from East Ohio Street to East Street, will go into effect at 8 p.m. through mid-November
Sunday, July 26
Around-the-clock single-lane restriction of East Street, from the I-279 Parkway North off-ramp to East Ohio Street, will go into effect at 8 p.m. through mid-November
East Street will be restricted to one 12-foot lane and Madison Avenue will be restricted to one 11-foot lane to accommodate construction, according to the release.
To easily navigate through the single-lane closures, motorists may consider an alternate route:
To Madison Avenue
From East Ohio Street turn onto Cedar Avenue
Turn right onto North Avenue
Turn left to continue onto Madison Avenue
End alternate route
To East Street
From East Street turn right onto North Avenue
Turn left onto Cedar Avenue
Turn left to continue onto East Ohio Street
End alternate route
The $12.7 million project will also include reconstruction of East Ohio Street from East Street to the northbound Route 28 on-ramp, traffic signal upgrades at eight intersecting streets, signage improvements, ADA curb cut ramps and pavement marking installation, drainage improvements, retaining wall rehabilitation along East Ohio Street, bridge preservation work, bike lane installation on both sides of East Ohio street from Nash Street to Chestnut Street, and other miscellaneous construction, according to the release.
Work through 2015 will include reconstruction of East Street and Madison Avenue only. Construction will move to East Ohio Street in spring of 2016. Traffic will be maintained on all three roadways throughout the duration of the project. Various ramps and bridges will experience full closures with posted detours in 2016. Overall work is set to be complete in October 2016.
The prime contractor for this project is Golden Triangle Construction.
Motorists are reminded to drive within the posted speed limit of 45 mph. Pennsylvania law also states that motorists caught driving 11 mph or more above the posted speed limit in active work zones, or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, automatically will lose their license for 15 days.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting the 511PA official website. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 700 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 accessible on the 511PA website.
