I-80 lane changes in offing Monday as part of interchange work east of Bellfonte

BELLEFONTE, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has provided a beginning of April update for its local interchange/Route 26 project in Centre County. The work zone is located along I-80 near the Bellefonte/161 interchange and can affect traffic flow on Interstate 80 and Route 26.

Weather delayed work progress during last week, so drivers should anticipate traffic control measures to remain unchanged. Those traffic control measures are as follows:

• On Route 26 (the Jacksonville Road), flaggers in the roadway will direct traffic through the work zone via the open lane. The worksite is approximately half a mile northeast of the KOA campground. Drivers should expect to encounter flaggers until the close of each workday.

• On I-80 eastbound, a left (passing) lane closure. This lane closure will be lifted at the close of business Friday, April 8, leaving two lanes open for the weekend.

• On I-80 westbound, a closure of both lanes starting Monday, April 4. Traffic will be shifted onto the outside shoulder and travel through the work zone via this single lane. The contractor expects to have two lanes open to traffic by close of business on Tuesday, April 5.

Drivers could encounter travel delays—especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Pennsylvania state police will assist with traffic control if necessary.

Work this season will include three miles of reconstruction on I-80 eastbound, completion of new ramps and connector road, completion of bridge structure, and reconstruction and improvements on a section of Route 26.

The I-80/Route 26 local interchange project is east of Bellefonte and is part of a long-awaited safety-improvement in Centre County. HRI, Inc. of State College is the contractor on the $52 million project. Up-to-date information is available on the project page at www.penndot.pa.gov/jacksonvilleroad.

The local interchange project is the first phase of a three-phase project to build local access, a high-speed interchange connection between I-99 and I-80 and make improvements on Jacksonville Road. In July 2018, the project was awarded an initial $35 million federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant.

Completing all three phases will support the regional freight economy and improve the reliability of roadway travel throughout the region.