Centre County has a lot of big-time events this month. What’s the plan with all the roadwork?
With upcoming events like the Blue-White game, Luke Combs’ stadium concert and Penn State commencement, the next five weekends are gearing up to be busy ones in the State College area — and, unfortunately, roadwork should continue to remain a factor.
Two projects in the State College area remain ongoing in the South Atherton Street Project, which began in 2022, and the Calder Way Improvements Project, which restarted this past January. The latter is a $31 million PennDOT project, while Calder Way has mostly been led by the borough.
Because the projects have different leaders, road construction crews’ no-work days are not identical on both projects. Here’s a look at what to expect:
South Atherton Street
Current work is ongoing in the southbound lane on South Atherton Street, in a half-mile stretch between West Hamilton Road and Westerly Parkway.
Because the only southbound lane is closed, the center turning lane is temporarily being used to travel southbound. Visitors over the next five weeks will likely still have to contend with that. PennDOT spokesperson Timothy Nebgen said it’s possible that construction might shift lanes in the next five weeks, “but the traffic impacts will still be in the same area.”
South Atherton crews are not scheduled to work any of the next five weekends, and they’ll also be off Friday, April 12 for the Blue-White game and on Friday, May 3 for Penn State commencement. Still, even with the work being paused, the existing traffic pattern and traffic control measures will stay in place.
That might not be all the South Atherton roadwork to contend with either. Another portion of the road, closer to the Penn State campus, could also see simultaneous work in the coming weeks.
According to Nebgen, water line and sewer replacement work on South Atherton — between Curtin Road and Clay Lane — could potentially start at some point before May 12. He said it wouldn’t start this week but wasn’t yet sure when it might commence.
When that begins, it will take place during daylight hours only with all traffic control being taken down at the end of each work day. Unlike the current work farther south on Atherton, there will be no long-term traffic control measures here. Flaggers will be on duty during construction.
Calder Way
The plan with this project was always to avoid temporarily closing any local businesses so, despite the roadwork, any nearby shops or eateries will continue to remain open. But motorists will still need to be aware of road closures and detours.
Kelly Alley, which runs from West Beaver Avenue to Calder Way, will remain closed to traffic as crews continue replacing the water main. It’s not yet known if the alley will reopen before May 12.
Part of Calder Way, from McAllister Street to Pugh Street, will also remain closed to vehicular traffic “for several weeks” due to utility placement, said Elton Hayes, the borough’s Calder Way public relations official. It also wasn’t immediately known when that section might reopen.
Flaggers will be present downtown during roadwork.
When roadwork is paused, signs will direct motorists where to go downtown. Construction will not take place any of the next five weekends — including Friday, April 12 (Blue-White weekend); Friday, April 19 (Olympic Wrestling Team Trials weekend); and Friday, May 3 (Penn State commencement).
Goings-on & project plans
The South Atherton Street Project comes on the heels of the North Atherton Street Project, which started in 2018 and took about two years to complete. The newest project, which is scheduled to end this November, includes reconstruction of South Atherton from Curtin Road to Westerly Parkway.
It includes drainage improvements, water and sewer lines, concrete curbing, pavement markings, traffic signals, and more.
The Calder Way Project is only in Phase 1 of what’s expected to be a five-phase project to turn it into a pedestrian-preferred corridor. And the final phase is slated to begin in 2027.
When the project is fully finished, and if all goes according to plan, visitors will be treated to a scenic route with utility poles wrapped in ornamental covers, crisscrossed string lights, planted tree pits and stamped concrete to emphasize the arts. Aging utilities and infrastructure will also be replaced.
But, before either of those projects is completed, crews first need to get past these next five weeks. Here’s a look at what’s on tap and what should lead to increased traffic for the next month:
- April 13: Blue-White game (Beaver Stadium)
- April 19-20: U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials (Bryce Jordan Center)
- April 27: Luke Combs’ Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour (Beaver Stadium)
- May 3-5: Penn State commencement (Multiple venues)
- May 11: Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest (Beaver Stadium)
