Part of Calder Way in State College to be closed to traffic for 6 weeks, starting Monday

Visitors to downtown State College will have to soon deal with more construction work along Calder Way.

As a result of the multi-year Calder Way Project, which will update aging utilities and turn the space into a pedestrian-preferred corridor, a portion of Calder Way — between McAllister Street and McAllister Alley — will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking for six weeks. The work starts Monday, according to the borough.

No businesses in that footprint are expected to temporarily close, and pedestrians will continue to have access to them during that period.

According to a Thursday news release from the borough, flaggers will be downtown to assist pedestrians and motorists with any change in traffic patterns. Residents can also expect additional fence installation — and placement of construction signage and message boards — around the area, starting as early as Monday.

The Calder Way Project was twice delayed, in July 2023 and September 2023, before resuming earlier this month. Phase 1 of the project, which restarted Jan. 2, is expected to continue through this June. It will focus on replacing utilities and infrastructure on Calder Way, between McAllister Street and South Fraser Street, in addition to several streets emanating from Calder Way in Kelly Alley, Humes Alley, and parts of McAllister and South Allen Street.

It’s not yet known exactly when Phase 2 will begin; the borough is currently working on the design and anticipates putting it out for bid later this year. However, the initial timeline called for Phase 2 construction to begin later this year.

Once everything is finished, which is expected by 2027 or 2028, visitors and residents should be treated to a scenic route on Calder Way for bicyclists and pedestrians — one with utility poles wrapped in ornamental covers, crisscrossed string lights, planted tree pits and stamped concrete to emphasize the arts. The streetscape improvements will run from Hiester Street to Burrowes Street.

Borough officials have repeatedly stated that, despite the inconveniences, they believe the project will be worth the trouble in the end. Although local businesses around the area will bear the brunt of the construction impact, no businesses are expected to temporarily close during the project — and the borough has been working with those businesses for more than six months to minimize the disruption.

More information on the project, timeline and construction impact can be found on the borough project’s website.

This story was originally published January 13, 2024 at 11:28 AM.