Starting March 17, drivers traveling on Interstate 81 and SR309 in Northeastern Schuylkill County will face new temporary traffic patterns and detours while contractors continue work to repair or replace bridge structures as part of PennDOT’s Interstate 81 Bridge Replacement Project.
 The three largest traffic pattern changes will be:
– I-81’s crossover of northbound traffic to join with southbound traffic.
– The northbound exit from I-81 to SR309 at the McAdoo exit will be out of service. There will be signage for all elements of the detour. Variable message boards and covered signs for McAdoo will alert northbound drivers to use Exit 141 and SR424 to reach McAdoo.
– Closure of the northbound SR309 interchange ramp and bridge at the McAdoo exit towards I-81. Instead, traffic will be detoured via temporary traffic light signals that will direct SR309 north traffic that wish to access I-81 onto a temporary entrance ramp.
Other streets and roads affected are:
Haddock Street in Kline Township will be restricted with no access from the north section to the south section during the construction period.
Hazle Street will be restricted with a traffic signal at the work area that will alternatively allow traffic to flow through the construction area.
In addition, Lofty Road will be closed for a period of 5 to 6 weeks, although a definite start date has not been determined.
During this phase of construction motorist will experience occasional daytime lane restriction in both directions of Interstate 81 during the week. Motorists are advised to allow for extra time when traveling through the area.
The entire project was started September 24, 2012 and involves preservation and rehabilitation work to 10 structures and full replacement of five structures on Interstate 81 between Exit 134 (Delan0) and Exit 138 (PA 309) in and around Kline Township.
Completion date for the entire project is estimated by March 2015; weather permitting.
The contractor for the $26,076,582 project is Allan P. Meyers, LP of Worcester, PA.
(WYLN TV News Facebook Video)