News Summary
The Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway is nearing a $1 billion completion with significant progress on new bridges and interchanges. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has updated the project cost to $970 million, due to rising expenses. Construction of the southern section is on track to finish by the fall of 2027, which includes critical connectivity improvements. Meanwhile, federal funds remain unaffected by budget cuts, and significant earthwork has already been completed, paving the way for improved regional traffic patterns.
Construction Update: Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway Nears $1 Billion Completion with New Bridges and Interchanges
The Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT) is approaching a staggering cost nearing $1 billion as construction progresses on this significant transportation project. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has recently adjusted its cost estimate to $970 million, reflecting a $32 million increase from the previous year. This uptick is mainly attributed to rising costs and adjustments made in the final design.
As of now, construction is on track for the southern section, primarily located in Snyder County, with the main highway expected to open in the fall of 2027. Notably, the Route 61 connector is projected to be completed the following fall, creating a direct route to the Veterans Memorial Bridge into Sunbury. To minimize traffic disturbances on the already congested Route 11/15, PennDOT has opted to delay construction of this connector.
A crucial aspect of this project involves replacing a bridge over Route 11/15 that facilitates southbound drivers heading to Sunbury. Recent developments include the completion of earthwork contracts, as well as a new contract worth $104.6 million aimed at constructing nine bridges and four noise barriers.
A substantial amount of $430 million in federal funds allocated for the project will not be impacted by any budget cuts from the former Trump administration. Since the opening of the northern section in June 2022, there has been a noticeable decrease in truck traffic on Route 15 south of Lewisburg. Further analysis of traffic data will take place once the mainline of the southern section opens.
The CSVT project will provide a vital connection between the Route 11/15 Selinsgrove bypass and Route 147 near Montandon. Furthermore, an application is set to be submitted to designate Route 15 as Interstate 99 between Interstate 180 and the New York State line. Currently, construction is also underway for a high-speed interchange that will link I-99 with I-80 in the Bellefonte area.
PennDOT’s latest cost estimate for this comprehensive 12.4-mile roadway currently stands at $938 million. Efforts within the Southern Section involve creating a new four-lane, limited access highway that connects Route 15 south of Winfield to Routes 11/15 north of Selinsgrove. The initial contract for this ambitious project was awarded to Trumbull Corporation for $115.2 million, while another contract for $106.4 million was granted to Walsh Construction for the construction of new bridges.
Major earthwork progress has been notable, with about 4 million of the 4.5 million cubic yards of excavation completed. Drivers should be aware that local roads may experience flagging operations during daylight hours while work is ongoing. As the CSVT takes shape, the impact on regional traffic patterns and commuting times will become more apparent in the coming years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- PennLive: Estimated Cost of Central PA Thruway Approaching $1B
- Wikipedia: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
- North Central PA: Beam Setting to Begin for Southern Section CSVT
- Google Search: Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway
- Daily Item: Progress Continues on Southern Section of Thruway Project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation
- Green Roofs: Selinsgrove Area Elementary School
- Google News: Pennsylvania Thruway Construction
Author: Construction FL News
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