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BELLEFONTE -- Motorists traveling Interstate 80 through Centre County should expect lane restrictions beginning Monday as contractors begin paving work tied to one project and prepare for a new traffic pattern for another.
PennDOT said the first restriction will begin Monday, when the contractor for the Interstate 80/Interstate 99 high-speed interchange project closes the left lane of I-80 westbound between mile markers 161 and 158 for paving work.
Additional lane closures for the interchange project will begin Tuesday, affecting both eastbound and westbound traffic on I-80 as crews prepare the next phase of traffic control. Those restrictions are expected to continue through Friday.
Beginning Saturday, Aug. 1, motorists traveling eastbound will encounter a new traffic pattern. Drivers in the left lane will cross the median at mile marker 159.2 and travel in the westbound passing lane before crossing back onto eastbound I-80 at mile marker 162.5. Concrete barriers will separate opposing traffic.
The current westbound traffic pattern through the interchange work zone will remain unchanged, with two lanes maintained by keeping the travel lane open and shifting the passing lane onto the shoulder. PennDOT expects that pattern to remain in place through fall 2027.
Also beginning Tuesday, July 28, a separate interstate preservation project will reduce westbound traffic to a single lane between mile markers 157 and 154 as crews begin milling and paving, shoulder backup work and guide rail installation between mile markers 147 and 159 in Boggs and Snow Shoe townships.
PennDOT expects those lane restrictions to remain in place until early September.
The $259 million high-speed interchange project includes construction of a direct connection between I-80 and I-99, along with 10 bridges, four retaining walls, five box culverts, seven sign structures, three changeable message boards, roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, intelligent transportation system equipment and other upgrades. Trumbull Corporation of Pittsburgh is the contractor. Work is expected to continue through 2030.
The separate $13.5 million preservation project includes milling and paving nearly 12 miles of interstate, preservation work on four bridges, guide rail upgrades, line painting and installation of intelligent transportation system equipment. Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., of State College, is the contractor. Construction is expected to continue into the 2027 season.
All work is weather dependent.