Traffic Alert: PennDOT Begins Long-Term Restrictions on I-79

Motorists on Interstate 79 in Butler County may want to allow more time for their commute in the coming weeks.

Starting Thursday, March 7, traffic on the highway at the Route 422 (Exit 99) Interchange in Muddy Creek Township will be reduced to a single lane in each direction, weather permitting, a statement from PennDOT said.

The left lane in both directions will be closed at about 7 a.m. Thursday and will continue around-the-clock through late March.

Crews will continue work to construct temporary crossovers through the median on I-79. One lane will remain open at all times in each direction.

The crossovers are necessary to allow crews to replace the I-79 bridges, one at a time, over Route 422, according to PennDOT.

The northbound bridge on I-79 will be replaced first. After the crossover construction is complete, single lane traffic in each direction will be shifted to the southbound side of I-79.

About 25,000 vehicles use I-79 in this area on an average day.

The $14 million project includes replacing both bridges that carry I-79 over Route 422 and Muddy Creek, reconstruction of various ramps and roadways at the interchange, new overhead sign structures, Intelligent Transportation System installation (one traffic monitoring camera and three digital message signs) and other improvements.

The prime contractor for the project is the Trumbull Corporation of Pittsburgh. Overall construction will conclude in fall 2014.

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