Update for Northern Route 255 Project in Saint Marys, Week of May 6
Saint Marys – Work to improve a northern section of Route 255 in the city of Saint Marys began in late March. The project stretches from the Tractor Supply Co. intersection to Route 120/State Street in Saint Marys. Work this year will concentrate on the section between Wendy’s and Satterlee & Sons.
Once the project completes in late summer 2014, travel along this section of Route 255 will be smoother and more efficient. PennDOT will issue regular updates on this project as work schedules and traffic impacts require.
Activity the week of May 6 will include:
• The contractor will continue working 24 hours per day starting Sundays at 6 p.m. and working until 6 p.m. Thursdays. The contractor anticipates working this schedule unless they are affected by weather.
• During off-peak hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Route 255 will be restricted to one lane northbound and one lane southbound from the intersection at Tractor Supply Co. to the intersection 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., traffic will continue to be restricted to one lane northbound and one lane southbound, however, the left-turn lane for northbound traffic and the left-turn for southbound traffic will be open to allow drivers to turn into businesses and residences. This traffic pattern will remain in effect until Wednesday night. The left-turn lanes are for making turning movements only.
• On Sunday night, the contractor will pave the center lane of the highway. Paving of this lane will continue Monday night with completion expected Tuesday night.
• On Tuesday night, the contractor will begin repainting pavement markings for the upcoming traffic switch.
• Beginning Wednesday at 9 p.m., the contractor will start work to shift to a new traffic pattern between Tractor Supply Co. and Iron Run Road. The new traffic pattern will be operational by Thursday morning. The new pattern will restrict traffic to one lane northbound and one lane southbound with a center left-turn lane. Southbound traffic will be shifted to the northbound side of the highway to allow for construction of the new southbound lanes. Flaggers will be in place at the Tractor Supply Co., School Road, Ford Road and Plaza Drive intersections to control traffic. Flaggers will remain at these intersections until the temporary traffic signals can be placed Thursday.
• The contractor will begin work to demolish buildings on State Street Monday between Route 255 and Rock Street. This work is not expected to impact traffic.
• During the daylight hours Thursday, crews will start to break up the existing southbound concrete pavement. Access to all businesses and residences will be maintained while work is performed.
All work is weather and schedule dependent and will take place during daylight hours. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving and stopped vehicles through the entire work zone. Motorists are advised to be cautious when traveling through the work zone and should obey the posted speed limit.
Overall work includes pavement repair, drainage improvements, addition of a right-turn lane for Route 255 northbound traffic at Vine Street, re-alignment of the Arch Street intersection, a right turn lane on Route 120 east for traffic heading south on Route 255, and other construction items. Dave Gutelius Excavating Inc. of Mifflinburg is the contractor on this $12.8 million project.
About a one-mile section of roadway separates this project from PennDOT’s other Route 255 project that stretches from north of Greenbriar Drive to just south of the Kersey/Route 948 intersection.
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