Residents hoping for light at end of Ohiopyle tunnel project

A pedestrian tunnel is beginning to take shape in Ohiopyle as the second phase of a construction project there continues.

Most of the $12.4 million project, including the rehabilitation of a bridge that carries Route 381 over the Youghiogheny River, is expected to be completed by Memorial Day.

The project, designed to improve pedestrian safety, has disrupted life for residents and visitors to the small Fayette County town, but progress is being made, said Mayor Mark McCarty. He hopes the benefits will be great once the construction is complete.

“Fortunately, it is the slow time of year,” he said.

Plum Contracting of Salem worked through the 2018-19 winter on the first phase. Construction was halted during the summer and resumed on the second phase after Labor Day.

Ohiopyle State Park has seen a small decrease in the number of visitors this year, said park manager Ken Bisbee. The park attracts millions of visitors to the town, which had a population of 57 people in 2018, according to census figures.

PennDOT district spokeswoman Valerie Petersen said Route 381 will reopen by Memorial Day, but other tasks, such as planting grass and installing curbs, will be ongoing until June 12.

Last year, crews realigned Sugarloaf Road’s intersection with Route 381 and built a paved parking lot close to the state park’s visitors center. The current work includes the pedestrian tunnel connecting the new parking lot to the visitors center on one side of town and revamping the bridge on the other.

Drainage work near the falls observation decks outside the visitors center has been ongoing for several weeks, according to construction reports. Pre-cast retaining walls were being used to create the tunnel. Other amenities, including a raft inflation station and restrooms, will be added to the parking lot.

A crane removed old pieces of the bridge in October and traffic has been restricted on the span to one lane directed by traffic lights. Now, it’s just a matter of bearing with it until the spring, McCarty said.

PennDOT set out an aggressive work schedule for the project.