Work is expanding to another State College intersection for a project to replace utilities and create a pedestrian-friendly corridor on Calder Way.
Phase 2A of the project will begin Monday at the intersection of East Calder Way and Hetzel Street. Waterline replacement will also occur on Hetzel Street from East Beaver Avenue to East College Avenue as part of the subphase.
Similar to phase 2, which began in early February and is continuing concurrently between South Fraser and South Atherton Streets, phase 2A involves replacement of aging sanitary sewer, stormwater, water main and gas main lines, removal of previously abandoned lines and installing provisions for electric and telecommunications lines to be moved underground.
“During the early days of construction, businesses and residents will see paint marks on the ground marking the location of utilities,” the borough wrote in a news release on Thursday “This will occur repeatedly and is required by law. The contractor will install site fencing, perform test holes and saw-cut pavement. Staging for tools, equipment, and materials, such as stone and trench boxes, will also occur. More updates will be available as construction progresses.”
Work will occur Mondays through Fridays. No work will take place during special events, including Penn State finals week and spring commencement.
Phases 2 and 2A are expected to conclude in July, according to the project website.
Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. is the contractor on phase 2A, while TerraWorks is the contractor for Phase 2.
This week, TerraWorks completed sanitary sewer replacement from South Fraser Street to South Burrowes Street and began replacing water lines, which will continue next week.
South Burrowes Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the week of March 9 while Penn State is on spring break.
State College received a $2.75 million H2O PA grant for sewer, storm and water improvements in Phase 2 and 2A, and the State College Borough Water Authority is contributing $228,954 for waterline replacement. The borough has received multiple other state and federal grants and funding sources for the multi-year project, including most recently $2.45 million from Community Project Funding included in the 2026 federal spending bills passed by Congress in January.
Utility replacements occurred during the project’s first phase in 2024 from McAllister Street to South Fraser Street. and similar work for the remaining segments between McAllister and South Garner streets is expected to take place in 2027.
The final piece of the project is streetscape improvements to create a pedestrian- and bicyclist-preferred corridor from Hiester Street to South Burrowes Street. It is expected to feature featuring enhanced pedestrian lighting, stamped pavement, a dedicated bike lane and a welcoming public space.
