I-81 Susquehanna Project - Susquehanna County

The I-81 Susquehanna Project is a nine-mile stretch of reconstruction and repair work along I-81 from New Milford Borough to the New York border. Work includes the replacement of the dual bridges over the Susquehanna River between Hallstead Borough and Great Bend Borough, which were built in 1961 and rehabilitated in 1979, 1993 and 2006. Combined, the bridges carry about 27,000 vehicles per day, approximately 41 percent of which is truck traffic. The combined daily traffic is expected to more than double by 2045 to around 55,000. The purpose of the I-81 Susquehanna Project is to address aging pavement and infrastructure along I-81 including the bridge over the Susquehanna River, and to lengthen on and off ramps to meet current interstate design standards and improve safety. The project is intended to address the following needs: Aging infrastructure. Most of the pavement in the corridor is nearly 60 years old, and the Susquehanna River bridges are approaching the end of their serviceable lifespan. Outdated interchange designs. The on and off ramps at the interchanges throughout the corridor do not meet current and future traffic design standards. Outdated construction methods. All structures on the corridor were constructed with reinforced concrete that contains more chloride ion content than modern standards allow. While safe, this type of reinforced concrete has a shorter lifespan than most reinforced concrete used today. Drainage concerns. The storm system built into much of the corridor has exceeded its serviceable lifespan. The project involves a number of construction activities, including: Repaving all roadway in the corridor Replacing five dual bridge structures, including the bridges over the Susquehanna River and one overpass structure Replacing the drainage system Replacing all guiderails, barriers and signage in the corridor Construction work on Susquehanna Street, PA-171 and PA-1029 (Randolph Road) Through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review process, the I-81 Susquehanna Project was approved as a Categorical Exclusion (CE) in 2017, and the project team was allowed to move forward with final design, right-of-way acquisition and construction. PennDOT is reevaluating the CE for this project because it is one of several projects being evaluated as a candidate for bridge tolling. A bridge toll is a fee that drivers pay when passing a specific location, often by using a service like E-ZPass. The cost to construct the project is estimated at between $175 and $200 million. The funds received from the bridge toll will go back to the I-81 Susquehanna Project to pay for construction, maintenance and operation. The proposed bridge toll for this project would be located at the Susquehanna River bridge between Hallstead and Great Bend. As part of the environmental reevaluation, PennDOT is analyzing how bridge tolling may impact local communities and how alternate routes drivers could take to avoid the toll may impact local traffic and roadways. When studies are completed in Spring 2021, we will present our findings for public review and comment in a virtual public meeting. During the meeting, the team will also share project details, such as engineering design, environmental impacts, construction schedule and maintenance and protection of traffic during construction. As of April 26, 2021 The project is currently in final design. A designer is identified. Bidding for contractors is unknown. Construction is anticipated to begin between 2023 and 2025.* *Project information, including timeline and contacts, has been obtained through public sources. The content management team continues to pursue additional details; however, the contact(s) listed have yet to disclose or confirm any information. Inquiries should be directed to the contact(s) listed.

Division 01 -	General Requirements, Vehicular Access and Parking, Traffic Control, Temporary Barriers and Enclosures.
Division 03 -	Concrete, Concrete Reinforcing, Precast Structural Concrete.
Division 05 -	Metals, Structural Steel Framing, Structural Steel for Bridges, Steel Joist Framing, Steel Joist Girder Framing.
Division 07 -	Thermal and Moisture Protection, Expansion Control.
Division 09 -	Finishes, High-Performance Coatings.
Division 10 -	Specialties, Signage, Traffic Signage.
Division 26 -	Electrical, Exterior Lighting, Lighting Poles and Standards, Roadway Lighting.
Division 31 -	Earthwork, Embankments, Erosion and Sedimentation Controls, Slope Protection, Gabions, Riprap, Special Foundations and Load-Bearing Elements, Driven Piles.
Division 32 -	Exterior Improvements, Operation and Maintenance of Exterior Improvements, Bases, Ballasts, and Paving, Flexible Paving, Rigid Paving, Fences and Gates, Retaining Walls.
Division 34 -	Transportation, Operation and Maintenance of Transportation, Bridges.