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Traffic Change Next Week for I-80 Westbound as Local Interchange Project Continues Near Bellefonte

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is alerting drivers to a traffic impact on Interstate 80 westbound is planned for next week as the Route 26 Local Interchange project in Centre County continues. The work zone for the local interchange is located between the I-80/161 exit and Jacksonville Road, east of Bellefonte. Work to build the local interchange can affect I-80 traffic. 

Starting on Monday, October 5, the contractor on the project will be implementing a long-term lane closure of the I-80 westbound passing lane (left lane). The passing lane will be closed with channelizers. The contractor will then begin milling and filling for the temporary widening of the I-80 westbound inside shoulder. This work is anticipated to run through Sunday, October 11.

In August, the two eastbound lanes in this area were shifted to the right—making use of the right travel lane and the roadway shoulder. This pattern remains in place for eastbound traffic.

Work on this project is in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and state Department of Health guidance as well as a project-specific COVID-19 safety plan. The plan includes protocols for social distancing, use of face coverings, personal and job site cleaning protocols, management of entries to the job site and relevant training.

The I-80/Route 26 local interchange project is east of Bellefonte and is part of a long-awaited safety-improvement in Centre County. HRI, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this $52 million project. Up-to-date information can be found on the project page at www.penndot.gov/SR26Localinterchange

The local interchange project is the first phase of a three-phase project to build local access, a high-speed interchange connection between I-99 and I-80, and to make improvements on Jacksonville Road. An initial $35 million for the project was announced in July 2018, coming through a federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant. Completion of all three phases will support regional freight economy and improve the reliability of roadway travel throughout the region.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. 

Subscribe to PennDOT news in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties at www.penndot.gov/District2.

For regional updates on Twitter, follow www.twitter.com/511PAStateCOLL    MEDIA CONTACT:  Marla Fannin (814) 360-3013, Timothy Nebgen (814) 360-3838

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