Drivers will encounter several traffic pattern changes and additional lane closures this week as work continues on PennDOT’s Atherton Street project.
A crew will install sewer line Monday on North Atherton Street near Railroad Avenue (in the area of the bus station), and several different traffic patterns will be used as needed throughout the day to route traffic around the work zone.
On Tuesday, the contractor will implement the following lane closures:
- The left lane heading eastbound (toward Boalsburg) will be closed between White Course Drive and Calder Way. Traffic will pass through the area via the open right lane.
- Westbound lanes will be closed at the Calder Way intersection on South Atherton Street and traffic will shift into the eastbound lanes. Westbound traffic will stay in the eastbound lanes until reaching the White Course Drive intersection on North Atherton Street.
- The right lane of West College Avenue will be closed between Burrowes and Atherton streets.
- A pedestrian detour will be implemented at the Atherton Street and West College Avenue intersection. PennDOT urges pedestrians to follow posted signage and avoid walking into the construction.
Also on Tuesday, the contractor will remove long-term traffic control measures on South Atherton Street between West Irvin Avenue and Center Lane after crews finish pavement marking.
From Wednesday through Friday, crews will be working on North Atherton Street between West College Avenue and White Course Drive to install new drainage and sewer line upgrades, and perform full-depth roadway reconstruction. Flaggers will provide traffic control during daylight hours and the traffic signal at the West College Avenue intersection will be in flash mode as necessary.
The current phase of Atherton Street construction, which began in 2022 and stretches from Curtin Road to just past Westerly Parkway, is expected to be completed this fall. Overall work on the $32 million project includes roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, water and sewer lines, concrete curbing, sidewalks and detectable warning surfaces, pavement markings and traffic signals and supports.
It’s the third phase of Atherton Street work originating from a 2010 review of the entire corridor that showed a need for repairs and upgrades, primarily for drainage. The first two phases covered North Atherton Street from its start near Gray’s Woods to Park Avenue.
The next phase is tentatively planned to begin in 2029 and cover Westerly Parkway to University Drive.
