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BELLEFONTE -- Motorists traveling from Interstate 99 to Interstate 80 eastbound will continue to encounter a ramp closure at the Bellefonte interchange after construction delays pushed back its reopening.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Monday that the eastbound on-ramp at Exit 161, which closed Oct. 12, is now expected to reopen during the third week of November.
The ramp was originally scheduled to reopen by the end of October, but PennDOT said unforeseen circumstances delayed the work.
While the ramp remains closed, motorists traveling from I-99 to I-80 eastbound must use Jacksonville Road to reach the westbound on-ramp at Exit 161, then follow the posted detour to access I-80 eastbound at Milesburg.
The closure is part of the ongoing $259 million high-speed interchange project connecting I-80 and I-99. The ramp was closed in preparation for directing traffic onto a newly completed bridge spanning Jacksonville Road.
The project is designed to provide a direct connection between the two interstates, eliminating the need for motorists to travel along Route 26 and reducing congestion in the area.
Construction includes 10 bridges, four retaining walls, five box culverts, seven sign structures and three electronic message boards. Additional work includes new and reconstructed roadways and ramps, drainage improvements, highway lighting, guiderail installation and pavement markings.
Trumbull Corporation of Pittsburgh is the contractor for the project, which is expected to continue through 2030. Approximately $170 million of the $259 million project is funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The high-speed interchange is the final phase of a three-phase transportation improvement project.
The first phase, completed between 2020 and 2022, involved construction of a $52 million local access interchange at mile marker 163, providing a direct connection between Route 26 and I-80.
The second phase involved reconstruction and widening along Route 26, with work beginning in November 2024 and scheduled for completion this year.
PennDOT said the completed improvements are intended to support regional freight transportation and improve traffic flow and travel reliability.
Motorists can check current road conditions and traffic delays at www.511PA.com or by calling 511.