The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to view the plans for a proposed project to resurface nearly three miles of Interstate 79 and replace the twin bridges in Findley and Jackson townships, Mercer County.
Two bridges included in the plans are the northbound and southbound structures that carry I-79 over Scrubgrass Road (Route 2014), Mill Creek, and the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad tracks. The existing four-span steel bridge will be replaced with a three-span steel bridge in the same location.
The existing bridges were built in 1966 and are classified in fair condition. Approximately 11,000 vehicles a day use the bridges in each direction of I-79, on average.
The proposed project includes milling and paving I-79 from approximately mile 117.3 to mile 120, approximately two miles south of the bridges and one mile north of the bridges. The plan also calls for upgrading the guiderail, new pavement markings, and drainage and sign updates.
The traffic plan calls for I-79 traffic to be reduced to a single lane in each direction during bridge construction using temporary cross overs. The northbound bridge is scheduled to be completed first with the southbound bridge to follow.
Traffic on Scrubgrass Road will to be detoured during certain activities on the bridges, such as demolition and beam erection. Work on the highway and the bridges is expected to occur during the 2027 and 2028 construction season.
The public may also view the plans for the I-79 Project (Mercer) online at district www.pa.go/DOTDistrict1. Information can be found under the Projects Near You option located at the top of the webpage. The project page includes digital copies of the project handout, proposed plans, and a comment form.
Those unable to access the information online may give feedback by contacting PennDOT Project Manager Kyle Barker at kybarker@pa.gov or 814-678-7166.
The purpose of the project webpage is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project. It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the project’s potential effect upon Cultural Resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The project documents will be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, contact Kyle Barker, PennDOT Project Manager, at kybarker@pa.gov or 814-678-7166.
Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891 or 800-468-4201.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.
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.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Harry, 814-678-5035, jharry@pa.gov