BELLEFONTE — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced in a statement Friday, Sept. 13 that portions of Jacksonville Road near Bellefonte will be closed as work on the new high-speed interchange between Interstates 80 and 99 begins.
The road closure, slated to start this month, is expected to last close to six years. A long-term detour will be put into place starting Wednesday, Sept. 25, on Jacksonville Road between Lyonstown Road and the I-99 interchange.
According to PennDOT, the Jacksonville Road detour will take drivers to the intersection of North Wilson Street, North Wilson Street to Route 550 (East Bishop Street) and East Bishop Street to Interstate 99.
“The closure and detour will allow the contractor to conduct large earth moving operations for the project, which will enhance traffic safety by providing a direct connection between the two highways, relieving traffic congestion and realigning service for local traffic,” a statement from PennDOT explained.
The project will be completed by contractor Trumbull Corporation of Pittsburgh. The project costs $259 million, of which approximately $170 million of the funding came from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Overall work on this project includes building the interchange, 10 bridges, four retaining walls, five box culverts, seven sign structures and three changeable message boards. It also includes constructing new and rebuilding existing roadways and ramps, drainage improvements, installing Intelligent Transportation Devices, guide rail and highway lighting, pavement marking, stream improvements and miscellaneous construction,” according to PennDOT.
