Mar 24, 2015 3 min read

Traffic seems to be flowing with few issues in the construction zone along Interstate 70 and Route 19 in South Strabane Township in spite of changes to driving patterns and the addition of two traffic signals.

The ramps that take I-70 east to Route 19 north and I-70 west to Route 19 north closed last week and traffic was switched to temporary ramps built adjacent to the existing ramps for southbound traffic. Two temporary signals were installed to allow drivers to make left turns onto Route 19. Drivers going from Route 19 south to I-70 west will now encounter two stop signs. Motorists will stop to allow traffic coming from Route 19 north at the light to proceed onto the ramp. All traffic has to stop before getting on the main line of the highway.

“It seems to be flowing very well, especially on Route 19,” said Scott Faieta, assistant construction engineer for the state Department of Transportation. “Even with the addition of the two traffic signals, it is flowing pretty well.”

“Usually when we make major modifications, I get calls,” he added. “But I’ve only gotten one call and that was from a truck driver who needed more information.”

The work is all part of construction of a diverging diamond interchange at the Murtland Avenue exit. When done, drivers will cross over and switch lanes on Route 19 with traffic signals controlling the flow to allow motorists either pass through the area or get on the highway.

“The locations of the temporary traffic signals is almost a snapshot as to where they will be when the project is completed,” Faieta said. “Drivers are going through almost what the configuration will look like. It is kind of a test run.”

The $54 million project being done by Golden Triangle Construction of Imperial is scheduled to be completed in November 2017.

Faieta said there is still some minor work that needs to be done such as painting stop bars at the lights and installing some more signs.

Left turns onto Raymond Boulevard, leading to Washington Chevrolet and Northwest Savings Bank, will not be allowed during construction. Drivers are being directed to a jug handle intersection at the top of Murtland where they can turn around and come back down Murtland. There also is now only one left-turn lane from northbound Murtland to Oak Spring Road and Washington Mall.

Single lane restrictions are continuing on Interstate 70 nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as work to shift barriers continues, Faieta said.

“Ramps that have closed will be milled off,” Faieta said. “Then a pavement buster will come in and bust up the pavement so that it can be recycled.”

Starting the week of April 6, the westbound lanes of I-70 will be restricted to a single lane from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. so the surface of both lanes and some shoulder area can be milled and repaved.

“We are trying to eliminate potholes from developing,” Faieta said. “It is preventive maintenance.”

There also will be intermittent lane closures on Route 19 north at night as crews complete barrier work, said Eric Klimas, Golden Triangle project manager.

Klimas also advised that pedestrians are not permitted to walk through the construction area. He said crews have seen people walking in the construction zone while work is going on.