Mining to cause lane restrictions on I-70 near West Alexander
The state Department of Transportation is instituting lane restrictions and reducing the speed limit on Interstate 70 near the West Alexander exit due to expected undermining in the area.
A two-mile section of the interstate in both directions between the West Virginia state line and a mile past the West Alexander interchange will be moved to one lane and speed reduced to 45 mph beginning Wednesday for an extended period of time.
The restrictions are being implemented in response to possible effects from Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., and Tunnel Ridge, LLC’s longwall mining operations at Tunnel Ridge Mine in Donegal Township. The restrictions will be in place for several weeks – with no end date set – until mining is complete and roadway conditions allow for normal traffic flow. Similar restrictions have been in place in recent years on I-70 in West Virginia from the mining operation.
Monitors have been installed along the roadway to record the smallest movement in any direction. These remote data acquisition systems will notify PennDOT’s Washington County Maintenance Office and the project engineers when movement occurs.