Drivers can expect some delays on one of the main thoroughfares in Bradford –– West Washington Street –– as road work is set to begin today.
Reconstruction will take place through next week on the pockmarked road –– from the city limits in front of the car wash to Mechanic Street.
“This work is expected to improve roadway ride quality and extend the life of the roadway surface,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials stated in a news release on Thursday.
Crews will mill West Washington Street today during the daylight hours with plans to finish that work during daylight hours Saturday or Monday. Meanwhile, workers will pave the road between 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
During the work, flaggers will control an alternating traffic pattern.
“Along with expected travel delays, drivers should be alert for slow-moving and stopped vehicles through the work zone,” officials said. “Drivers familiar with the area may choose to use alternate routes around the work zone.”
The project’s contractor is Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. of State College. The work is part of a $5.7 million group project to address improvements to various routes in McKean and Potter counties.
“I’m glad it’s getting done. I just wish it weren’t so late in the summer,” Bradford Mayor Tom Riel said.
He said that the paving work has been held up because of utility replacement on West Washington Street.
“This work is part of a group job for roads in McKean and Potter counties and has been planned and moving through our process over the past three years. Notice to proceed on this contract was given in mid-April,” said PennDOT spokeswoman Marla Fannin.
Work is weather- and schedule-dependent, officials said.
“Work across the two counties is expected to finish in late October,” officials said. “PennDOT reminds drivers to be cautious in work zones, obey posted speed limits and always buckle up.”
Other projects on the drawing board include Route 59, which stretches from the Warren and McKean county line to Marshburg.
“This project was bid recently and will take place this year, with an expected completion by mid-October,” Fannin said.
Milling and overlay work are on the agenda in September for Route 770, from U.S. Route 219 to Route 646.
Route 155 north of Port Allegany is expected to be worked on this fall, and drainage work is slated to begin late summer or early fall with road work being pushed into 2018 on Route 46.
Riel said he wishes that the state would also focus on repairing Mechanic Street and South Avenue, roads that he said have been in deplorable condition for several years.
