The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has reopened Route 321 as improvement work continues in McKean County.

Once complete, the project will improve ride quality and extend the life of the roadway surface from Route 59 in Marshburg to Sugar Bay.

Route 321 between Route 59 and Sugar Bay has been closed since late May. This section re-opened Monday morning and the 32-mile detour around the closure has been lifted.

Through project completion in early August, work will continue under roadway flagging operations, with short delays and alternating traffic patterns possible through the work zone.

PennDOT is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service on this project, to the benefit of both agencies.

Upgrades to Route 321 will make removal and hauling of pest-infested and at-risk trees easier and more convenient for the U.S. Forest Service. In turn, the Forest Service will provide tree trimming and tree removal along state routes in the Allegheny National Forest—allowing for “daylighting” of roadways. “Daylighting” makes it easier for sunlight to hit roadway surfaces, which helps ice and snow melt more quickly.

Overall work will include drainage improvements, roadway milling, asphalt paving, guiderail upgrades and miscellaneous construction.