PennDOT set advanced signs Oct. 10 announcing that a section of Route 225, Peters Mountain Road, on the north side of the mountain will close on Monday, Oct. 27, as construction crews begin work to build a retaining wall in Halifax Township, Dauphin County.
Earlier this year, PennDOT Dauphin County maintenance crews installed drainage pipes and conducted repairs on Route 225 in an attempt to stabilize the failing slope along the roadway shoulder. The majority of the repairs were successful. However two specific areas continue to show signs of movement and must be addressed before the roadway is resurfaced.
In the meantime, a $4,065,225 contract was awarded on June 19 to Blooming Glen Contractors, Inc. of Blooming Glen, Bucks County. The contract includes drainage updates, roadway base repair, guiderail work, removal of the top layer of asphalt, and bituminous resurfacing on Route 225 in Middle Paxton and Halifax townships. PennDOT and the contractor agreed to delay resurfacing until next spring and add work to construct a retaining wall to address the areas of concern.
The contractor will be working six days a week in 10-12 hour shifts in order to excavate, remove guiderail, build a retaining wall and rebuild the roadway. As winter sets in, work will halt and the contractor will return in the spring to resurface the roadway from Route 325 to Route 147. All work under this construction contract is scheduled to be completed by the end of summer 2015.
PennDOT advises motorists that starting Oct. 27, Route 225 will be closed to through traffic for at least four weeks. Until then, traffic should use the detour which follows Route 147, U.S. 322, and Route 325. Appalachian Trail hikers will be able to access the trail at the top of the south side of Peters Mountain.
On average, nearly 11,200 vehicles travel this section of Route 225 every day. To avoid delays, motorists should allow for additional time in their travel plans or seek an alternate route.