Intersection at Bailey’s Crossroads closed during Route 21 realignment
CARMICHAELS – Construction crews have closed a small section of West George Street at Bailey’s Crossroads while realigning the intersection there with Route 21.
The intersection has been closed all week to allow workers to realign the road, making it a more natural turn onto Route 21 toward Paisley.
State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Valerie Petersen did not know when West George Street, the most direct route to and from Carmichaels, will reopen. Barriers have been installed to shift traffic onto Route 21 and toward the posted detour that takes traffic to Route 88 and back into Carmichaels.
Construction began on the $5.125 million project in March and is expected to be completed by mid-November.
In addition to the West George Street closure, Glades Run Road, which runs parallel to Route 21, is also being detoured.
The project was designed to give traffic in both directions on Route 21 “through movement” at the intersection. Before construction began, motorists traveling west on Route 21 were forced to stop at a T-intersection at West George Street while traffic heading east continued without stopping.
Traffic studies by PennDOT showed most of the vehicles traveling through the area take Route 21 to Masontown. About 8,000 vehicles each day use this section of highway.
The project is creating a new four-way intersection on Route 21 with George Street and Glade Run Road, which will both be realigned. Turning lanes will be added on Route 21 for left turns onto George Street and Glade Run Road. The intersection will have a traffic signal, which is expected to improve safety.
A second four-way intersection will be developed to the west with Muddy Creek Road and Greene Valley Road.
Other work will include upgrades to storm drains, creation of a new stormwater detention systems, driveway adjustments, new signing and pavement markings.