Drivers headed toward the State College area from the Seven Mountains Monday on Route 322 will encounter a detour as work for the Potters Mills Gap project continues.
The westbound detour using Route 144 north and Route 45 west will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. while crews set a barrier on the western end of the project. Eastbound traffic will remain on Route 322.
No other significant traffic stops are expected for the remainder of the week and crews will not be working on July 4.
One mile east of Potters Mills, a crossover between Decker Valley Road and Sand Mountain Road, with one lane available in each direction, will remain in place through September. Within the crossover is a 14-foot width restriction for westbound traffic and a 15-foot width restriction for eastbound traffic.
Work also will continue off the road and drivers should be alert for construction vehicles entering and exiting the road through the Potters Mills area.
The current work is part of the third and final phase of the Potters Mills Gap project, which began in 2015. Phase three is reconstructing Route 322 from Sand Mountain Road at Seven Mountain to Potters Mills, including a new Route 322/Route 144 intersection that will be a part of a local access road. PennDOT says the new road is still on schedule to be open in October 2020.
‘The completed project will alleviate congestion and allow traffic to move more safely and efficiently from the Centre/Mifflin County line to Potters Mills,’ according to PennDOT
Atherton Update
With holiday travel and Central PA 4thFest coming up, no additional lane closures will be implemented on the North Atherton Street work zone on July 3-4. Two lanes will remain open in both directions throughout the length of the project on those days.
On Monday, however, the contractor will be implementing a long-term lane closure between Hillcrest Avenue and Park Avenue on the far-right side of Atherton Street traveling toward the university. Travel delays are to be expected while crews perform line eradicating and painting throughout the day.
The lane closure is being put in place for curbing and sidewalk installation in the area. After the work zone is set up, two lanes inbound traffic and two lanes outbound will remain open when the contractor is not working. When the contractor is working, traffic will be reduced to at least a single lane in each direction.
Daylight lane closures also will be installed throughout the week between Blue Course Drive and Hillcrest Avenue to complete installation of concrete curb and sidewalk. Traffic will be reduced to at least a single lane in each direction.
Village Drive on the left side of Atherton Street and Hillcrest Avenue, Arbor Way, and Ridge Avenue on the right side heading toward Park Avenue will be closed at various times throughout the week to complete curb and sidewalk work. Message boards will indicate when the street closure is in place.
Effective Monday, pedestrian signal heads at Park Avenue will be de-activated and a pedestrian detour will direct walkers to Curtin Road to cross Atherton Street.
Portions of sidewalk are currently removed on both sides on Atherton Street between Cherry Lane and Hillcrest Avenue. Signs are in place directing pedestrian traffic to use side streets.
The current phase of Atherton Street work involves new drainage improvements, curbing, sidewalks, ADA ramps, traffic signal upgrades, new concrete median, and paving as well as new and relocated utilities. It is expected to be completed in the fall, with work anticipated to resume next year between Park Avenue and Westerly Parkway.
