PennDOT Pushes Bridge Work Deadline, Closes McKnight Ramp to Nelson Run

UPDATED Monday, Oct. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

The closure of the jug-handle turn from southbound McKnight Road to Nelson Run Road, originally scheduled to start 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and last through 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3., was canceled late Friday and is being rescheduled for a later time. 

When work gets under way, crews will be milling and resurfacing the jug-handle. The posted detour advises continuing south on McKnight Road and exiting on the right to West View Avenue, turning left on West View Avenue and following West View Aveune south to Nelson Run Road. 

The closure is in addition to the ramp closure from northbound McKnight Road to Babcock Boulevard, which closed last week for bridge deck reconstruction.

Repairs on the bridge are expected to take longer than originally anticipated, according to Jim Struzzi, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 

The date for the full reopening of the bridge has been pushed to mid-November, he said. 

The posted detour advises continuing north on McKnight Road to Siebert Road, turning left onto Siebert and continuing west to Babcock Boulevard. 

Nightly single lane closures on McKnight Road from Babcock Boulevard to Perrymont Road will also continue through early October according to the following schedule:

Monday-Friday nights

•       Northbound (outbound) – 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
•       Southbound (inbound) – 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Saturdays

•       Northbound – 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays
•       Southbound – 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays

Single lane closures on Babcock Boulevard in the area of McKnight Road will continue as well from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday nights.   

The repairs and road closures are part of an $8.8 million, 4.6 mile project that includes milling and resurfacing, concrete pavement patching, drainage, guide rail, concrete barrier, curb and sidewalk improvements, curb ramp installation, signing and pavement markings, and signal upgrades on McKnight Road between Nelson Run Road and Perrymont Road (Route 4056).

It also includes the bridge preservation work on McKnight Road over Babcock Boulevard such as latex modified concrete deck surfacing, resetting rocker bearings, pedestrian railing repairs, concrete repairs, and other improvements.

The prime contractor is Lindy Paving, Inc. of New Castle, PA.