Route 8 in Venango County has reopened as reconstruction project enters final phase of construction

The two-year, $ 32.6 million project to repair and rebuild nearly 10 miles of Route 8 from Georgetown Road (Route 3004) in Irwin Township to Polk Cutoff Road (Route 3024) in Sandycreek Township in Venango County is nearing completion.

The last detour of the project was lifted today. The project is expected to be completed in early November 2021.

Motorists should be alert to temporary lane restrictions and other traffic controls put in place as needed to complete the project recall. The work will include road and driveway connections at the north end of the project area, rough strips and raised pavement markers at some of the access and access ramps.

“Throughout the design and construction process of Route 8, hundreds of residents have spoken to us about the importance of this route to the economy and quality of life in Venango County. With this investment in pavement and bridges, we have ensured the continuation of this important link to Interstate 80 for years to come, ”said Brian McNulty, PE, Director of PennDOT District 1.“ We appreciate the patience of the community during construction. As the project draws to a close, we hope everyone is as happy as we are with the results. ”

During the first year of the project, work focused on the northbound lanes of Highway 8 in the townships of Sandycreek, Irwin and Victory and included breaking up existing concrete to create a base for the new surfacing of asphalt, bridge rehabilitation, drainage upgrade, guide rail replacement, and sign updates. Improvements were also made to the old Route 8 (Route 3013), which was used as a detour for southbound traffic during the two years of the contract.

This year, similar work was carried out on the southbound lanes as well as rehabilitation work on the bridge that carries southbound and northbound traffic on Georgetown Road, including road approaches, deck surfacing and repair of barriers.

This work was completed on October 22, 2021 and the roadway was completely reopened to all traffic.

The contractor is Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College, PA. The cost of the contract is $ 32,645,000, which will be paid for with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds.

Additional information on the Route 8 reconstruction project is available online at www.penndot.gov/district1.

PennDOT urges motorists to slow down when driving in work areas, and also to be alert to changing conditions, avoid distractions, and pay attention to signs and flaggers. Drive responsibly in work areas for your safety and that of workers.

Motorists can check conditions on major roads by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to over 1,000 speed cameras.

The 511PA is also available through a smartphone app for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties at www.penndot.gov/District1.

Information on District 1 infrastructure, including completed works and major projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D1Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Follow the Northwestern region of PennDOT on Twitter or Facebook.

PennDOT District 1 is hiring for a variety of positions including CDL Operators, Mechanics, Road Maintenance Workers, Civil Engineers, Construction Inspectors, and Transportation Technicians. Apply online at www.employment.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, 814-678-7095

EDITOR’S NOTE: Attached to the email is a photo of Highway 8 taken after the paving of the southbound lanes was completed on October 5, 2021.

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