Work on McKnight Road Begins Tonight

For Cranberry-area motorists who travel McKnight Road, there is good news and bad news.

The good news is that the road is being improved. The bad news is that roadwork probably means delays on the heavily congested corridor and the work won't be completed until the fall.

The $8.8 million project to improve McKnight Road in McCandless and Ross townships will begin Tuesday night as long as the weather cooperates, according to PennDOT District 11.

Various lane closures and traffic restrictions will occur during the first phase of the project. That includes bridge preservation, improvements on Peebles Road at the McKnight Road interchange, and work on McKnight Road.

More information will be provided before the second phase begins, PennDOT said.

The following will begin Tuesday

• Long-term single-lane traffic on McKnight Road at the bridge over Babcock Boulevard from 8 p.m. on Monday [now Tuesday] continuously through early October.
• Nightly single-lane closures on McKnight Road from Babcock Boulevard to Perrymont Road as follows:

Monday-Friday nights:

Northbound (outbound) traffic will go down one lane from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

For southbound (inbound) traffic, that will occur from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Saturdays

Northbound – 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Sundays

Southbound – 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays

Single-lane closures on Babcock Boulevard in the area of McKnight Road are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday nights.

"The 4.6-mile project includes milling and resurfacing, concrete pavement patching, drainage, guide rail, concrete barrier, curb and sidewalk improvements, curb ramp installation, signing and pavement markings, and signal upgrades on McKnight Road between Nelson Run Road and Perrymont Road," PennDOT said in a press release.

"Bridge preservation will also occur on the structure that carries McKnight Road over Babcock Boulevard including latex-modified concrete deck surfacing, resetting rocker bearings, pedestrian railing repairs, concrete repairs, and other improvements," according to the release.

The prime contractor is Lindy Paving Inc. of New Castle. 

"Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays and changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area," PennDOT advised in the press release. "Log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before traveling."