CLEARFIELD — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the traffic pattern on its highway reconstruction project impacting Interstate 99 (I-99) and Route 322 in College and Worth townships is set to change on Tuesday, June 30, as the project enters its second phase. According to PennDOT, this project will improve ride quality and extend the service life of approximately 1.5 miles of roadway, as well as correct settlement issues on three bridges within the work zone.

On June 30, the contractor plans to reopen the right (travel) lane of Route 322 westbound, reopen the Innovation Park/Penn State University exit to westbound traffic, and lift the detour that has been in place since the end of March. In the event of inclement weather on June 30, the work would be rescheduled to Wednesday, July 1.

PennDOT stated that traffic will still be reduced to one lane as the contractor closes the left (passing) lane. PennDOT urges drivers to continue exercising caution through this, and all, work zones, obey posted speed limit and work zone signage, and always buckle up.

On Thursday, July 2, the contractor plans to reopen the travel lane on Route 322 eastbound and close the passing lane.

The travel lane of I-99 southbound near Exit 61/Port Matilda and the exit will remain closed until further notice. Drivers will continue to follow the detour which sees them exit I-99 at exit 68/Grays Woods-Waddle, take Route 3042 (Skytop Mountain Road) to Alternate 220 and follow it to Port Matilda.

PennDOT anticipated lifting this detour earlier in June, however the need for additional repairs was discovered after work got under way. PennDOT will issue an update when work has progressed to the point where it can reopen the exit.

Work on this contract includes highway reconstruction, guide rail installation, line painting, and miscellaneous construction. Francis J. Palo, Inc., of Clarion, Pa., is the contractor on this $1.8 million project. PennDOT anticipates project completion near the end of August but reminds drivers that all construction schedules are subject to change due to weather or other circumstances.

Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects.