A $20.5 million resurfacing project that will give motorists a smoother ride on more than 13 miles of Interstate 79 in Mercer County is scheduled to start April 20, 2026.
The project includes milling and paving on I-79 in both directions from mile marker 110 to mile marker 118 and mile marker 120 to mile marker 126. Work will also include waterproofing and minor concrete repairs to six bridges along the highway in Liberty, Springfield, Findley, Jackson, and Lake townships.
Construction is expected to begin April 20, 2026, weather permitting. Much of the work is expected to be completed by October 2026. Work on the on and off ramps, including those at the Interstate 80 interchange, is expected to be performed in 2027.
Drivers should be alert for traffic pattern shifts, lane restrictions, and speed limit reductions of 60 mph. One northbound and southbound lane will remain open throughout construction.
The contractor is Glenn O. Hawbaker of State College, PA. The contract cost is $20,568,568, which is to be paid entirely with federal funds.
This year PennDOT’s Northwest Region expects to do work on more than 100 projects. To see a full listing of all the anticipated work, check out the 2026 Construction Book available online at www.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1.
PennDOT urges motorists to slow down when driving in work zones, and also to be alert to changing conditions, avoid distractions and to pay attention to signs and flaggers. Drive responsibly in work zones for your safety and the safety of the workers.
Drivers can check conditions on major roadways 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 more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application 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.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1.
Information about infrastructure in District 1, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D1Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Find PennDOT news for the northwest region on X or Facebook.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Harry, 814-678-5035 or jharry@pa.gov