Jun 2, 2015 3 min read

Drivers traveling on Route 19 in South Strabane Township can expect to see a change in the traffic pattern late next week while motorists taking Interstate 70 near the Murtland Avenue interchange will experience a switch later in the month.

Work is progressing on schedule on the $51 million state Department of Transportation project to build the diverging diamond interchange at Murtland. When completed, drivers on Route 19 traveling under the highway will cross over and switch lanes with signals controlling traffic flow. Drivers will have the option of passing through or getting on the interstate. Golden Triangle Construction of Imperial is the general contractor.

The first traffic pattern change will occur June 12 or 13 when the recently paved northbound lanes of Route 19 are opened along with newly built ramps to the highway.

The switch will start about 9 a.m. and take several hours to be put into place and drivers can expect some delays.

“The two ramps that had been Exit 19-B are now completed,” said Scott Faieta, assistant construction engineer for PennDOT.

“Drivers will be able to get off I-70 east to Route 19 north or get off Route 19 north to go I-70 east or west.”

“We still have do some dress-up work on the ramps along with some tie-ins from 19,” he added. “We also have to install some high mast lights for the new ramps and put up some temporary signs.”

Once the northbound lanes are moved to the newly paved surface, the center two lanes will be closed so work can be done in that area. That work will take about three weeks. Drivers heading south will continue on the lanes they are currently using.

On the main line of the highway, Golden Triangle crews will be doing concrete paving in the median area of the eastbound side starting Wednesday night. The work should continue through Friday night, weather permitting, Faieta said.

There will be a single-lane restriction for the night-time work.

“It is going to be a busy area with the equipment,” said Eric Klimas, project manager for Golden Triangle.

Paving also will be done on I-70 west in preparation for the switch, expected to happen June 26, that will move one eastbound lane to that side of the highway. Faieta said there will be no lane restrictions while that work is done in the shoulder area.

“It will take multiple days to do the switch over,” Klimas said.

Faieta said officials are also looking at changes to the tripping device on the temporary signals on Route 19 that direct traffic on and the highway after getting complaints from motorists the lights were not always changing.

“We don’t want that to continue to happen since these lights will be up for awhile,” Faieta said.