Route 44 bridges project detour to be lifted by Friday evening

Travel Advisory
Route 44 bridges project detour to be lifted by Friday evening

The three-month detour in effect on Route 44 north of Waterville in Lycoming County is expected to be lifted by early tomorrow evening, Aug. 26.

Once the bridges are open to traffic, the detour will be lifted.

The detour has been in place while four aging bridges along Route 44 between Waterville and Haneyville were addressed; two were replaced and two were rehabilitated.

Realizing the impact of the lengthy detour, PennDOT took a number of steps to minimize the impacts on traffic, including the following:

The construction project duration was compressed to have the least negative impact on property owners, business owners, the traveling public and the school district. Originally this work was anticipated to occur between June 1 and Oct. 15. However, after a scheduling meeting with construction personnel, it was determined that the project could be condensed to occur between May 31 and late Aug., when the bridges could be reopened to traffic.

Because of the detour, it was decided that four bridges would be worked on simultaneously. Working on the four bridges at one time eliminates the need to interrupt traffic at various additional times in the foreseeable future.

To assist travelers, temporary destination signs for Black Forest and Haneyville were added to the traffic control plan.

LTT Trucking LLC is the primary contractor for this $1,324,487 project. All work is scheduled for completion by Sept. 2.