Heat Causes Concrete Buckling on Section of I-99 in Centre County; 1 Lane Closed for Emergency Repairs

Update 6:39 p.m Thursday, June 26: Crews poured new concrete on Thursday afternoon and the right lane is expected to reopen early Friday morning, when work will shift to the passing lane, according to PennDOT. Drivers should expect the left lane to be closed during the Friday morning commute.

Original story

Drivers may experience delays on a section of Interstate 99 in Centre County as PennDOT makes emergency repairs after a slab of concrete expanded because of extreme heat.

The right lane of I-99 southbound at a bridge spanning Route 550 between mile markers 67.8 and 67.6 has been closed since Tuesday evening.

Crews are excavating the existing slab and pouring new concrete on Wednesday, according to PennDOT. Work will shift to the passing lane on Thursday to complete the repairs and reopen both lanes, weather permitting.

The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph and state police will be on site to assist with traffic backlogs.

Road buckling has been a common occurrence throughout the northeast and midwest this week with temperatures in the mid-90s. Roads are constructed to allow for expansion, but at higher temperatures they may not have enough space to continue expanding, The result is buckling, and older concrete pavements are most susceptible, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.