UPDATED: Route 19 Long-Term Lane Closure Postponed until Thursday in Wexford area

The right lane on southbound Route 19 in the Wexford Flats area of Pine Township will be closed until early spring beginning Thursday, weather permitting, a statement from PennDOT District 11 said.

Orginally the work was scheduled to begin Tuesday but was postponed due to weather.

Crews will be installing drainage and constructing a retaining wall along southbound Route 19 between North Chapel/Manor Road and Brown Road.

The restriction will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday and continue around-the-clock through late March. Southbound traffic in the right lane approaching the North Chapel/Manor Road intersection will be required to turn right. Thru-traffic should stay in the left passing lane.  

Motorists also should be prepared for changing traffic patterns. PennDOT asks drivers to slow down and drive safely through the work zone. Access will be provided for all businesses along Route 19 in the construction zone.

The $18.1 million Route 19 Wexford Flats Improvement Project includes widening, bituminous resurfacing, concrete pavement, drainage, curb and sidewalk work, signing and pavement marking, signals, a retaining wall and other improvements on 2.33 miles of Route 19 from about 300 feet north of Longvue Road (near top of Pine Creek Hill) to just north of North Chapel/Manor Road.

PennDOT spokesman Jim Struzzi said the safety and congestion improvement project would widen Route 19 from 42 feet to 63 feet and add a center turn lane, curbed gutters and sidewalks.

New, improved traffic signals will be added at eight intersections in the project area. Overall work should conclude in late 2012.

About 28,000 vehicles use this section of Route 19 on an average day, Struzzi said. PennDOT ‘s prime contractor for the project is the Golden Triangle Construction Co. Inc. of Imperial.     

To register for the project email list, send an email to jstruzzi@pa.gov with “Subscribe – Route 19 Wexford Flats” in the subject line.