I-79 crossover, construction creating traffic headaches

PennDOT has reduced the speed limit and closed a lane in a work zone on southbound Interstate 79 between the I-79/I-279 split and the Neville Island Bridge after numerous recent crashes in the area.

Work on the interstate has been ongoing around the major rehabilitation of the Neville Island Bridge, which carries I-79 traffic. Motorists should expect major delays and consider alternate routes, PennDOT warned, as it works on new measures to open the lane.

A traffic crossover on I-79 began Saturday, with the left lane of the southbound side crossing into the northbound lanes between the I279 split and the Red Mud Hollow Road overpass. That crossover was supposed to be an express lane, taking traffic directly from the split to the Neville Island Bridge interchange. The right lane of I-79 southbound is a local lane with access to Mt. Nebo Road ( Exit 68) and Emsworth/Route 65 (Exit 66).

That express lane is now closed and the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph after the crashes over the weekend as PennDOT works to address the safety concerns. I-79 southbound is just a single lane between the split and Neville Island.

A crash at the split closed I-79 southbound around 4:15 p.m. Sunday. Another crash at the same point closed the highway again before 7 p.m. Monday.

Once reopened, the crossover is set to remain in place continuously through November. There will still be two northbound lanes, separated from the express lane by a barrier.

Crews are conducting bridge rehabilitation work on southbound structures over Glenfield Road and Red Mud Hollow Road, PennDOT said. That work includes bridge deck replacement, approach slab work, bearing pad and expansion dam replacement, substructure concrete repairs and downspout upgrades.

The work comes as part of a $26.49 million I-79 improvement project. PennDOT says most of the project will conclude in spring 2024.

On Tuesday afternoon, PennDOT said it was considering or implementing these further safety measures:

• Around-the-clock state police coverage for the next two weeks.

• Southbound 45 mph speed limit in the work zone.

• The addition of four speed reminder signs in the southbound direction approaching the crossover and at the bridge work zones.

• Improving messaging approaching the split for the crossover with additional static signs and/or changeable message boards.

• Moving the decision point back from where the lanes split preferably to a tangent area (straight section of road not curved). Extending the solid white line between the two lanes in an effort to get traffic in the appropriate lanes earlier to minimize last minute decision making.

• Adding straight arrow pavement markings to the lanes to help the motorists know that both lanes are available to continue southbound when the decision is made to open both lanes. That date has not yet been set.

• Requiring trucks in right lane only.