News for Immediate Release

11/17/2009

Route 15 Steam Valley Mountain section north of Trout Run dedicated

New southbound lanes fully opened to traffic

Montoursville

Dignitaries cut the ribbon on the new southbound lanes for Route 15, formally opening the Steam Valley Mountain section in northern Lycoming County to traffic late this morning.

“Today we celebrate a significant step in the three-year construction project between Trout Run and Buttonwood. This massive (undertaking), at $60 million the single largest contract bid in District 3-0’s history, includes the reconstruction of more than five miles of the southbound lanes and three miles of northbound lanes… to interstate standards,” said Sandra Tosca, P.E., PennDOT District Executive.

While the work will not be completed until fall 2010, “we’re holding the dedication today because the opening of the southbound lanes on a new alignment is the most significant step we’ll be taking between now and final completion,” she added.

The new southbound lanes provide a safer, modernized alignment, replacing the original construction that took place in 1923 and an upgrade in 1951.

Work also includes a full interchange with Route 184 at the summit of the mountain, a split-diamond interchange with Steam Valley and Green Mountain Roads a few miles south, 3.5 million cubic yards of earthwork, four new bridges, six box culverts, a retaining wall and related construction.

Over the winter months, southbound traffic will have two lanes to travel. Northbound will have two lanes, except for a half-mile single-lane section around the southern end of Steam Valley Road where a new bridge will be built as part of the interchange there.

Final paving from Trout Run to the Route 184 Interchange will take place next summer.

Prime designer was Gannett Fleming, Inc. Prime contractor is Trumbull Corp.

Dignitaries cutting the ribbon included PA Senator Gene Yaw, Susan Mathias -aide to US Congressman Chris Carney, Charley Hall – aide to PA Representative Garth Everett, Route 15 Coalition President Mark Murawski, Lycoming County Commissioners Jeff Wheeland and Ernie Larson, Cogan House Township Supervisor Howard Fry, Rodney Wood – project engineer for Trumbull Corp., Dave Hamlet from Gannett Fleming, Appalachian Thruway Association Chairman Ted Bennett and Tosca. Holding the ribbon for the dignitaries were John Stetts – PennDOT project manager during design and Lance Ridall – PennDOT project manager for construction.

Media contact: Rick Mason
(570) 368-4202

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