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    Shapiro Administration Invests $325 Million in 110 Projects to Improve Roads and Bridges in Northwestern PA

    April 09, 2026

    PennDOT and partners will improve more than 130 miles of roadway and 41 bridges.

    Sections of Interstates 79, 80 and 90 will be repaved and reconstructed while work continues on the transformational Central Bayfront Parkway Project in Erie.

    Over 19,000 roadway miles and over 1,700 bridges improved under the Shapiro Administration.

     

    The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that the department is investing more than $325 million in 110 projects in the northwest region this year to improve Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges so that drivers can get to their destinations safely and on time. This investment in state and local roads and bridges supports Governor Josh Shapiro’s vision of a safe and reliable transportation network that connects people to opportunity and each other.

    In addition to repaving and reconstructing sections of Interstates 79, 80, and 90, the department is investing in various communities' safety, connectivity, and traffic flow with the Central Bayfront Parkway Project along Erie’s waterfront, Route 62/322 Improvement Project, and updates to Routes 77 and 426 in Corry.

    “PennDOT has a robust construction program for 2026. The District 1 team plans to award 76 contracts this year. That work, combined with the 34 projects that were carried over from 2025, tackles a wide range of transportation needs including large-scale improvements to the region’s interstate system and notable investments into the state and local bridge network in all six counties,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty.

    Under Governor Shapiro’s Administration, 19,451 miles of roadway have been improved statewide, and work has advanced on 1,738 state and local bridges. PennDOT is building on that momentum this year and anticipates investing more than $325 million in District 1, which includes Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties. This investment includes reconstructing and resurfacing more than 130 miles of highways and repairing or replacing 41 bridges.  

    “The project along Liberty Street in the City of Franklin is a prime example of the comprehensive approach PennDOT aims for in our construction plan. This project will address the condition of the pavement, functionality of two vital downtown intersections and improve accessibility and safety for pedestrians. And it is realized through collaboration with the city,” McNulty said. “Partnerships like this with local governments and industry leaders can precipitate into impactful projects like what is underway in Franklin.”

    The contract for work on federal PROTECT-program bridges includes seven in Crawford County, 10 in Erie County, three in Forest County, one each in Mercer and Venango counties, and four in Warren County. The expected bid opening for the project is scheduled for June 18, 2026. Construction may start later this year and is expected to continue through the 2028 construction season.

    Four roadways will receive landslide repairs due to federal PROTECT funding, one each in Crawford, Forest, Mercer, and Venango counties. Landslides can form due to several factors, such as topography, soils, and groundwater of our region. These repairs involve various support strategies that shore up the embankment and save long-term maintenance costs. This project is scheduled for a bid opening on June 18, 2026. Work on this project will start this year and carry into 2027.

    Other projects that will see active work in 2026 are outlined below.

    Crawford County

    • Route 6 Bridge – Replacement of the bridge that carries Route 6 over French Creek in Hayfield and Woodcock townships; $6.9 million. Second of two truss bridge replacements.
    • Dunham Road Bridge – Replacement of the bridge that carries Dunham Road (Route 2039) bridge over Cussewago Creek in Vernon Township; $5.8 million.
    • Route 408 – Replacement of the bridge that carries Route 408 (Church Street) over Mohawk Run in Rockdale Township; approximately $991,000.
    • Group paving – Paving 6.63 miles of Route 98 in Vernon and Hayfield townships; and 3.59 miles of Route 18 in Summit and Summerhill townships, and the Conneautville Borough; $4.1 million.
    • Route 285 – Paving 7.94 miles of Route 285 from Route 19 to Route 173 in Greenwood and Fairfield townships. Expected bid opening on April 9, 2026.

    Erie County

    • Bayfront Parkway Project – Multifaceted project with pedestrian improvements, including a bridge, two roundabouts and a grade separated intersection, missing trail connections, and improved lighting; $121 million. Started in 2023. Work to be completed in 2027.
    • Route 832 – Paving 1.25 miles and traffic signal upgrades and permanent speed tables on Route 832 in Millcreek Township; $6.3 million. Started in 2025.
    • Corry Paving – Paving Route 77, Route 426, W. Washington Street (Route 2020) and S. Center Street (Route 2029) in the City of Corry. $9.8 million. Work expected to be completed in 2027.
    • Interstate 90 – Paving I-90 from mile marker 18 to mile marker 23, and mechanized patching from mile marker 23 to mile marker 35 in Greene, Harborcreek, McKean, Millcreek, and Summit townships; $19 million. This project started in 2025 with repairs on I-79.
    • I-79 – Paving 13 miles of I-79 from mile marker 165 to mile marker 178 in McKean and Summit townships; $37 million.
    • Route 5 – Paving 5.21 miles of Route 5 in Fairview and Millcreek townships. Expected bid opening on April 9, 2026.
    • Route 20 – Paving 5.08 miles of Route 20 in the City of Erie. Expected bid opening on May 21, 2026.
    • Route 5 Bridge – Replacing the upper portion of the bridge that carries Route 5 over Six Mile Creek in Harborcreek Township. Expected bid opening on May 21, 2026.
    • I-79 Dual Bridges – Repairs to two bridges on I-79 over CSX & Norfolk Southern Railroads, Irwin Drive, Rudolph Avenue, and West 16th Street in the City of Erie. Expected bid opening in fall 2026. Work to be completed in 2027.
    • Erie Bike Loop – Roadway paint and signs to create a bike lane on French Street from E. Ninth Street to E. 26th Street in the City of Erie; approximately $129,000.

    Forest County

    • River Road Bridge – Repairs to the bridge that carries River Road (Route 2002) over Coleman Run in Barnett Township; $1.1 million.

    Mercer County

    • I-80 – Reconstructing I-80 from the Ohio state line to mile marker 5 and replacing or repairing seven bridges in Shenango Township; $115.7 million. Work started in 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2027.
    • Route 18 and Route 58 Improvements – Intersection improvements and paving near Thiel College in Greenville Borough. Started in 2024. Work to be completed in 2026.
    • Service Avenue Bridge – Replacing the bridge that carries Service Avenue over Pine Run in the City of Sharon; $1.4 million. This bridge is owned by Mercer County.
    • I-79 – Paving 13.63 miles of I-79 from mile marker 110 to mile marker 118 and mile marker 120 to mile marker 126 as well as preserving eight bridges in Liberty, Springfield, Findley, Jackson, and Lake townships; $21 million. Work is to be completed in 2027.
    • Old Mercer Road Bridge – Replacing the bridge that carries Old Mercer Road over Neshannock Creek in East Lackawannock Township. $2.4 million.
    • Route 62 – Paving 10.43 miles of Route 62 in Mercer Borough, the City of Hermitage, and Jefferson, Lackawannock and East Lackawannock townships; $1.5 million.
    • Route 58 – Paving 10.76 miles of Route 58 in Findley and Pine townships, and Grove City and Mercer boroughs; $4.5 million.
    • Route 518 – Intersection improvements at Route 518 and Mercer Avenue (Route 3025) in Sharpsville Borough. Expected bid opening June 18, 2026.
    • Group Paving – Paving 5.89 miles of Route 173 in Grove City Borough, and Pine and Springfield townships and 2.06 miles of Route 58 in Pine Township. Expected bid opening April 23, 2026.

    Venango County

    • Route 62/322 – Paving and other improvements on 3.28 miles of Route 62 and Route 322 (15th and Liberty streets) in the City of Franklin and Sandy Creek Township; $17 million. Work to be completed in 2027.
    • Route 257 – Paving 1.97 miles of Route 257 in Cranberry Township. $2.3 million.
    • Petroleum Center Bridge – Preserving the historic bridge that carries Petroleum Center Road (Route 1004) over Oil Creek in Cornplanter Township. Expected bid opening June 18, 2026.

    Warren County

    ·       Brokenstraw Bridge – Replacing the bridge that carries Kane Road/Cole Hill Road (Route 3014) over Brokenstraw Creek in Pittsfield Township; $2.1 million.

    • Page Hollow Road - Paving 7.71 miles of Page Hollow Road (Route 4009) in Pittsfield, Freehold, and Sugar Grove townships; $2 million.
    • Davey Hill Road – Two slide corrections on Davey Hill Road (Route 3007) in Deerfield Township. Expected bid opening May 7, 2026.

    ·       Route 62 – Paving 4.04 miles of Route 62 in Limestone Township; $2.6 million.

    • Group Paving – Paving 2.42 miles of Route 6, 2.09 miles of resurfacing on Route 666, and 0.65 miles of Horton Avenue (Route 2004) in Sheffield Township. Expected bid opening June 18, 2026. Work to be completed in 2027.
    • Tidioute Paving - Paving 2.74 miles of Route 127, Main Street (Route 3007), and Elm Street (Route 3009) in Tidioute Borough. Expected bid opening June 18, 2026.

    A complete list of more than 100 District 1 projects is available in the 2026 Construction Book located online under the Public Resources section at www.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1.

    PennDOT urges drivers to be alert for changing conditions, avoid distractions, and drive responsibly in work zones. Other tips to stay safe in work zones include:

    • Drive the posted speed limit.
    • Maintain a safe distance around vehicles and do not tailgate.
    • Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly.
    • Always wear a seat belt.
    • Turn on your headlights.

    Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict1.

    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