PennDOT extends work, detour through mid-August for bridge rehab in North Huntingdon
Work to rehabilitate a bridge on Route 993 in North Huntingdon and a resulting traffic detour have been extended until at least mid-August.
The project by Gulisek Construction began July 7 on the bridge that carries Water Street over Brush Creek. Completion originally was expected in early August, according to PennDOT.
During construction, Water Street will remain closed between Southside Road and Westmoreland Avenue, with traffic detoured along sections of Routes 993 and 130.
Local deliveries will be allowed up to Quality Way.
It was unclear what factors may have delayed completion of the project. PennDOT officials note that all work schedules can be affected by “weather and operational conditions.”
Work on the project was interrupted July 8, when a Gulisek employee died after being run over by a vehicle. A second worker was injured and was treated and released at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville.
At the time, North Huntingdon police Chief Robert Rizzo said, the incident appeared to have been a construction accident involving a machine that “moved forward, and then it moved in reverse.”
Rizzo was unavailable Friday afternoon to provide an update on his department’s investigation of the incident.
A spokesperson for the Occupational Health and Safety Administration said that agency’s investigation is ongoing, with no additional information available. OSHA said the companies involved were cooperating with the investigation.
According to PennDOT, the work on the bridge includes repairing its substructure, installing a foundation drain, adding latex-modified concrete to the existing deck surface and improving the approaches.
It’s among four bridges in Westmoreland County and two in Washington County that are undergoing preservation as part of a $3.13 million effort.
Work is finished on a bridge that carries Millwood Street (Route 217) over McGee Run in Derry Township.
Still awaiting attention are two Route 119 bridges that cross over Thermo Village Road and a Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad line in Hempfield.
Nighttime restrictions on I-70
Nighttime single-lane restrictions are slated to resume Tuesday evening on a section of Interstate 70 in Rostraver.
From 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily through Friday morning, a single lane will be open in each direction between the Arnold City and Smithton exits (Exits 44 and 49).
The restrictions will allow crews to move barriers and paint lines on the pavement, preparing for a switch in lane positions. The work is part of a $120.6 million project involving reconstruction of the interchange at I-70 and Route 51 and improvement of an adjacent portion of the interstate.
Other road work planned
Meanwhile, PennDOT is also planning this work on roads in Westmoreland County during the week beginning Monday:
• A pipe replacement will take place on Trees Mills Road in Salem, with traffic detoured along Athena Drive and portions of Routes 819, 66 and 22.
• Paving will take place on Donohoe Road in Hempfield.
• Edge paving will take place on Rostaver Road in Rostraver, Catalina Farm Road in East Huntingdon and Waltz Mill Road in South Huntingdon and Sewickley .
• Ditching will take place on Catalina Farm Road in East Huntingdon.
• Various roads in Rostraver and Sewickley townships will undergo a pavement preservation surface treatment.
• Bridge inspections will take place on I-70 in Rostraver, Wilpen Road in Ligonier Township and Laughner Road in Fairfield.
• Shoulder stabilization will take place on Route 711 in Cook and Ligonier townships and on Route 31 (Chestnut Ridge Road) in Donegal Township.
• Shoulder cutting will take place on various roads in Hempfield, Unity and Salem townships.
Crews will pick up litter, replace road signs and perform other tasks on various routes countywide.
Motorists should anticipate potential detours, lane restrictions and flaggers in work areas.
Residents can call PennDOT toll-free at 800-349-7623 to report road maintenance concerns and the locations of dead deer on state highways.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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