PennDOT to move forward with $52 million Bellefonte interchange project
After years of delays, progress is being made on the Bellefonte interchange project.
On Thursday, PennDOT announced HRI, Inc. of State College was awarded the bid for the I-80 interchange project — an initiative that began in 2000. PennDOT expects to officially award the $52 million bid and proceed with construction later this spring, according to a release.
The interchange project is the first phase of the construction, which aims to build local access between I-99 and I-80 and to enhance safety on Jacksonville Road. Last summer, the project was awarded $35 million through a federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant.
“This is the first step in an overall project that will allow for safer travel between I-99, I-80, Route 26 and other local roads,” PennDOT District 2 Executive Tom Zurat said in a statement. “Getting started brings us one step closer to enhancing safety in this area easing congestion during high traffic times and moving goods and services more conveniently.”
The three-phase initiative will create a high-speed interchange between Interstates 80 and 99. Local access between state Route 26, Jacksonville Road and I-80 will change.
Work will be done in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and state Department of Health guidance as well as a project-specific COVID-19 safety plan, which will include protocols for social distancing, use of face coverings, personal and job site cleaning protocols, management of entries to the job sit and relevant training.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 4:17 PM.
