One Exit to Reopen, Lane Closures to Shift as Road Work on U.S. Route 322 and I-99 Enters Phase 2

Lane closures will shift and an exit that’s been closed since March will reopen as a road reconstruction project on two Centre County highways moves to its second phase.

The right lane of U.S. Route 322 westbound and the Innovation Park/Penn State University exit for westbound traffic in College Township will reopen on June 30, PennDOT wrote in a news release on Monday. The detour that has been in place for the Penn State exit will be lifted.

Traffic still will be reduced to one lane, however, as the contractor will close the left westbound lane to begin work on phase 2.

In the event of inclement weather, work would take place on July 1.

For eastbound traffic in the work zone, the right lane of U.S. 322 will reopen and the left lane will be closed starting July 2.

The right lane of Interstate 99 southbound near Exit 61/Port Matilda and the exit will remain closed until further notice, according to PennDOT. Drivers will continue to follow the detour to exit 68/Grays Woods-Waddle, then take Skytop Mountain Road to Alternate 220 and follow it to Port Matilda.

PennDOT originally expected to lift the I-99 detour in early June, but the need for additional repairs was discovered after work got underway. The department said it will issue an advisory when the exit can be reopened.

The closures are part of a highway reconstruction project to improve ride quality and extend the service life of about 1.5 miles of roadway, as well as to correct settlement issues on three bridges, according to PennDOT.

The overall construction is expected to be completed around the end of August, though work schedules are subject to change due to weather and other factors.

Francis J. Palo, Inc., of Clarion, is the contractor on the $1.8 million project.