HARRISBURG – State Rep. Greg Rothman (R-87) today announced developments that will go a long way to alleviating traffic congestion on Route 81 and Wertzville Road.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has contracted with Blooming Glen Contractors of Blooming Glen, Pa., for $19.5 million to widen Interstate 81 between Exit 57 for Route 114 in Silver Spring Township, and Exit 59 for Route 581 in Hampden Township, Cumberland County.
The highway improvement project involves extending the northbound on-ramp as an auxiliary lane between the two interchanges and extending the westbound ramp from Route 581 along southbound I-81 to the interchange with Route 114. The auxiliary lanes in both directions should improve safety and congestion by providing more room and distance for motorists to merge safely onto and off the interstate.
A traffic shift, scheduled for next year, will enable the contractor to build the additional ramp in each direction mainly in the median area. Cable median barriers will also be installed as part of the project. Prep work for the construction has already begun and completion of the project is scheduled for the end of May 2018.
In addition, Rothman announced that PennDOT District 8 Design Division is scheduled to have a consultant engineering firm contracted by the end of the year for an upcoming study that will look at low-cost safety improvements on Route 944, covering its length from Route 11/15 to Route 34.
Rothman’s office can be reached at 975-2235 if there are any further questions on this announcement.
SOURCE: State Rep. Greg Rothman press release
