Bellefonte, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) provided a beginning of September update today for its Local Interchange/Route 26 project in Centre County. The work zone, located along I-80 near the Bellefonte/161 interchange, may affect traffic flow.  

Traffic control measures for the coming week are as follows:

• Starting Tuesday, September 7, the contractor will begin overnight work on I-80 westbound. This work may require the contractor to close the right (travel) lane in some instances. In these instances, all westbound traffic will utilize the temporary crossover. PennDOT does not expect the new traffic pattern to result in any significant travel delays but urges motorists to exercise caution and be on the lookout for construction vehicles entering or exiting the work zone.

• On I-80 eastbound, the left (passing) lane is closed. Concrete barriers divert traffic onto the travel lane and outside shoulder. This long-term setup will be in place through the summer.

Work this season includes completion of basin construction in the median, completion of northern ramps, full depth reconstruction of I-80 westbound bridge piers and northern abutment, and construction of the connector road between I-80 and Route 26. 

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 complete improvements to Jacksonville Road. PennDOT announced the project received $35 million in federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant money in July 2018. Completing all three phases will support regional freight economy and improve the reliability of roadway travel throughout the region.

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.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Marla Fannin (814) 765-0423

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