Ohiopyle construction project is wrapping up

All that remains of a $12.4 million construction project in Ohiopyle is some grass planting in the spring and water line work along Sugarloaf Road, according to Jay Ofsanik, a PennDOT spokesman.

Professional divers took to the Youghiogheny River last month to retrieve items that inadvertently fell into the water during the reconstruction of the Route 381 bridge. Ofsanik said they retrieved nails, screws, wires, bolts and several smaller steel plates.

The project was designed to improve pedestrian safety in the small Fayette County town surrounded by the state’s largest park. Work was completed between Labor Day and Memorial Day over two years. Progress was hampered this year by railroad issues and the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the completion date was pushed back from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July when Ofsanik said traffic restrictions were lifted.

Work by Plum Contracting of Salem was completed by the end of August.

Crews reconstructed a bridge carrying Route 381 over the river, realigned the road’s intersection with Sugarloaf Road and built an underground pedestrian tunnel, among other improvements.

Collection of debris from the bridge reconstruction sent divers into the water in mid-November, according to state Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset). He said he learned about the debris and coordinated with PennDOT, the park and Mountain Watershed Association to remove it.

“I am happy to see that the completion of this cleanup will result (in) a safer river for park goers and boaters,” he said in an announcement.

Ohiopyle State Park has been deluged with visitors this year. Restrictions on businesses and gatherings meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic sent flocks of people to seek outdoor recreational opportunities.