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I-70 work continues

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Drivers traveling Interstate 70 east of Washington will continue to see crews working on a $118 million project to rebuild that stretch of highway between the East Beau and Eighty Four exits in South Strabane Township, and they would be well advised to pay heed to the 45-mph speed limit in the construction area.

“We met with state police, and they said they are issuing citations,” said Scott Faieta, an assistant construction engineer who is overseeing the project for the state Department of Transportation. “Drivers need to obey the posted speed limits. The state police even picked up a few drunk drivers in the stops.”

Faieta said there has been only one major crash in the work area, when a tractor-trailer crashed into a concrete barrier, causing three other vehicles to crash.

Most of the work being performed this year is to prepare for the major part of the project that will be done in October 2020.

“The westbound lanes have temporary paving along with an emergency pull-off so we can eventually push traffic over,” Faieta said.

Tim Harden, overseeing the project for Lane Construction, said crews are doing some basin work in the middle of the highway.

Work also is being done to temporarily widen the eastbound side before excavation is undertaken.

“We are getting ready for future traffic switches and cutting slopes for excavation,” Faieta said.

Crews also are doing environmental work, and Faieta said the bump on the box culvert near the south junction will be smoothed over as part of the work this year.

“We will continue to keep all four lanes open during the day,” Faieta said. “If there is a restriction, it will probably be due to a crash.”

There are single-lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly. Faieta said no work will be done over the Labor Day weekend. Work will resume Tuesday night.

Both Harden and Faieta agree the project is going well and is on schedule.

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