Traffic restrictions set to start on Harrison's Springhill Road for path project

Traffic restrictions on Springhill Road in Harrison are scheduled to start Monday and remain in place into August.

The two uphill lanes between North Canal Street in Natrona and McWilliams Drive in Westlawn will close at 9 a.m. Monday, Allegheny County Public Works announced.

The date was changed from Thursday to Monday because inclement weather will prevent the painting of lines needed to implement the new temporary traffic pattern.

The two downhill lanes will be used to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction.

The lanes are being closed for construction of a 10-foot-wide, shared-use path on the northbound side of the road. New curbs, ramps, inlets, delineator posts, pavement markings and signage also will be installed.

The project is intended to improve pedestrian and cycling connections between Natrona, Alsco Community Park and the neighborhoods and businesses along Freeport Road in Natrona Heights.

It’s also part of a plan to expand the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system.

After the lane closures end, crews will mill and repave part of the road, which will require short traffic stoppages in work zones, according to the county.

When the project is finished, Springhill Road will no longer have four lanes of traffic with two lanes in each direction.

Between North Canal Street and Karns Road, there will be two 12-foot lanes, one in each direction. The path will be level with the road but separated from traffic by a 5-foot buffer area.

Between Karns Road and McWilliams Drive, there will be two lanes for uphill traffic, one 12 feet wide and the other, a truck climbing lane, 11 feet wide. There will be one 12-foot-wide lane for downhill traffic. In this area, the path will be elevated and separated from traffic by a small buffer area and curb.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect a change in the date of the start of work and traffic restrictions.