Drivers should be alert for the new traffic pattern in place on Interstate 80 from mile marker 5 and mile marker 3 in Mercer County.
Under the new traffic pattern, eastbound traffic is shifted onto the shoulder and passing lane of the highway. One lane of westbound traffic travels in a lane adjacent to the eastbound lanes with barriers separating the two directions. A second lane for westbound traffic is open adjacent to the work zone.
The traffic configuration is expected to start April 14, 2026, as construction work is done in connection with the Interstate 80 Reconstruction Project.
The overall project includes major improvements to the highway from the Ohio state line to mile marker 5, including milling, asphalt and concrete paving, concrete patching, drainage and guiderail upgrades, right-of-way fencing, concrete curbing, topsoil, seeding/mulching, highway lighting, signing, highway markers, line painting, and permanent digital message boards.
Work also includes repairs to five bridges, including the replacement and widening of the bridges over Route 318 in Shenango Township.
Construction began in April 2025 and is being completed in phases through 2027.
Throughout the project, drivers should remain alert for traffic pattern shifts and lane restrictions, and can anticipate travel delays, especially during high traffic times. Work and traffic impacts will be minimized as much as possible during holiday travel periods.
Information on the I-80 project is available online at www.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1 under the Projects Near You and the District 1 link.
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