A section of Calder Way in State College will be closed to traffic for six weeks as the beginning stages of work continue on a mulit-year project to replace aging utility infrastructure and create a more pedestrian-friendly space on the downtown alley,
Calder Way between McAllister Street and McAllister Alley will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking starting Monday, Jan. 15, according to a borough news release. Pedestrian access will remain open.
Substantial work on the $6.6 million Phase 1 of the project was scheduled to begin last summer but because of material procurement delays was pushed back to avoid impact on residents, businesses and visitors during the fall. Exploratory excavation that started in August resumed in early January and concluded this week after examining more than 30 locations for utility replacement.
Sawcutting work to outline portions of asphalt that will be excavated during utility replacement was completed on Monday.
Contractor HRI Inc. will continue to mobilize equipment on Monday to commence work. Fence installation and placement of construction signage will also occur during the week of Jan. 15 in the downtown, and flaggers will be present direct pedestrians and motorists for any traffic pattern changes.
Delivery drivers will not be subject to metered space or 2 a.m.-6 a.m. enforcement while making deliveries, according to the borough. They are are encouraged to use marked loading zones for deliveries.
The borough is communicating directly with businesses and property owners about traffic and parking changes throughout the duration of the project.
First phase work on the Calder Way project will take place this year between McAllister and South Fraser streets. It will include replacement of sanitary sewer, stormwater, water main and gas main lines and providing provisions for electric and telecommunications lines to be moved underground. Some utility replacement also will take place on Kelly and Humes alleys and South Allen Street between Calder Way and College Avenue.
Future phases through 2027 will involve similar work on the rest of the road, with the project bordered by Hiester and South Burrowes streets.
Phase one is part of an overall project to transform Calder Way into a “pedestrian-preferred” corridor with limited vehicular traffic, “replacing curbed sidewalks with more artistic measures and the incorporation of other streetscape enhancements from Hiester to Burrowes,” according to the borough’s 2023-27 Capital Improvement Plan.
Streetscape and transportation work will include widened sidewalks to provide an at-grade pathway using stamped concrete, ADA upgrades at all intersections with detectable warning devices. The project plans also call for installation of retractable bollards for traffic control and new lighting, greenery and public art.
The first phase is funded by a a $2.4 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (Pennvest), as well as American Rescue Plan Act funds set aside for the project and $1.7 million from the State College Borough Water Authority for replacement of a water main that has reached the end of its useful life.
State College also recently received $2.75 million in grants to replace aging water, sanitary sewer and stormwater infrastructure on Calder Way from Pennsylvania’s Small Water and Sewer Program and H20 PA, which are funded from American Rescue Plan Act money and administered by the Commonwealth Finance Authority.
“The Borough of State College and all of those who work and visit here will benefit greatly from the funding for construction in Calder Way,” Mayor Ezra Nanes said. “Aging sanitary sewer lines along Calder Way will be replaced, which will prevent potential backups and capacity issues with the system, stormwater lines currently existing on Calder Way will be replaced and upgraded in some segments, allowing for an increase in capacity to convey stormwater in one of the borough’s lowest-lying areas, and planned water line replacement will upgrade existing facilities and help prevent future water main breaks.”
