PennDOT bidding delayed
Two tanker trucks turn left onto Route 21 at Baileys Crossroads in Cumberland Township. The state Department of Transportation is preparing reconfigure the intersection.
Preliminary design plans for the realignment of Route 21 at Baileys Crossroads.
The state Department of Transportation delayed the bidding of a project to realign Route 21 at Baileys Crossroads in Cumberland Township, although state officials are still hopeful the project will be completed on schedule.
The department earlier expected to open bids for the project Thursday, but was delayed in soliciting bids because of permitting issues, PennDOT project manager James Sisul said.
The plan now is to move forward with a bid opening Oct. 1. The district is requesting that date, but “it’s not guaranteed,” said Rachel Duda, PennDOT District 12 assistant district executive for design. The bidding schedule must still be approved by PennDOT’s central office, she said.
The delay of the bidding should not lead to any significant changes in the project’s completion date because whether it was bid Thursday or Oct. 1, the bulk of the construction work would not be started until the spring, she said.
If bidding goes as planned, the project could still be completed in fall 2016.
PennDOT plans to realign the intersection at Bailey Crossroads to allow uninterrupted traffic flow on Route 21. Currently, traffic heading west on Route 21 must stop at a T-intersection at George Street while traffic heading east toward Masontown can continue unimpeded.
The project will give traffic in both directions on Route 21 “through-movement” at the intersection, Sisul said. Studies have indicated most of the traffic at the intersection is traveling on Route 21.
The project will involve creating a new four-way intersection on Route 21 with George Street and Glade Run Road, which will both be realigned. Turning lanes will be added on Route 21 for left turnings onto George Street and Glade Run Road.
The intersection will have a traffic signal, which will make it much safer, Sisul said.
A second four-way intersection will be developed to the west with Muddy Creek Road and Greene Valley Road. Greene Valley Road will be realigned and the entrance to Muddy Creek Road improved to allow better sight lines for traffic on Muddy Creek entering Route 21, Sisul said.
Stop signs will be posted on both Muddy Creek Road and Greene Valley Road at Route 21.
The project will not require the displacement of any homes or businesses in the area, though PennDOT had to obtain property for the road realignments.
PennDOT held an open house meeting on the project at the Carmichaels Fire Hall in September 2013.