The long-term closure of the ramps from Route 65 and Deer Run Road to southbound I-79 at the Neville Island Bridge in Glenfield will begin Jan. 31, weather permitting, according to PennDOT.
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, the ramps that carry traffic from Route 65 in both directions and Deer Run Road to southbound I-79 will close to traffic continuously through early March as crews conduct paint containment system installation. All ramp traffic will be detoured.
Northbound and southbound Route 65
From northbound and southbound Route 65, follow the signs to northbound I-79 toward Erie. Turn on to Kilbuck Street. From Kilbuck Street, take the ramp to northbound I-79. From northbound I-79, take the Mt. Nebo (Exit 68) off-ramp. Turn left onto Mt. Nebo Road. Turn left onto the ramp to southbound I-79. Follow southbound I-79 back to the Neville Island Bridge.
Deer Run Road
Follow Deer Run Road eastbound past the closed ramp. Turn left onto Kilbuck Street. From Kilbuck Street, take the ramp to northbound I-79. From northbound I-79, take the Mt. Nebo (Exit 68) off-ramp. Turn left onto Mt. Nebo Road. Turn left onto the ramp to southbound I-79. Follow southbound I-79 back to the Neville Island Bridge
Alternate Detour – northbound and southbound Route 65
From Route 65, turn onto the Sewickley Bridge. Turn left onto Route 51 and follow through Coraopolis. Take the ramp to southbound I-79.
The closing of the ramps will allow the contractor to safely close the ramp acceleration lane and shoulder on the Neville Island Bridge in the southbound direction. The installation of the metal pans as part of the overhead suspension paint containment system needs to be completed in the daylight hours for the safety of workers and motorists.
Off-duty uniformed police officers will be staged at various locations along the detour route.
A second closure of the ramps will occur later this fall. Additional details will be provided in advance of the closures.
The $43 million I-79 Neville Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project includes structural steel repairs, full structure painting, bearing and deck joint replacements, deck repairs and overlays, bridge barrier repair, substructure concrete work and drainage improvements. The project also includes concrete roadway reconstruction, guide rail replacement and preservation work on four sign structures. Additionally, preservation work will occur on the I-79 bridge over Deer Run Road, north of the Neville Island Bridge. Motorists will see ramp closures and single-lane and shoulder closures in each direction on I-79 during daylight off-peak and overnight hours. Other traffic impacts include four southbound weekend closures in 2022. The overall project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.
The Trumbull Corporation is the prime contractor.
