PennDOT plans I-70 closure in Speers, lane restrictions farther east

Work on the Interstate 70 corridor will detour motorists in Washington County and restrict traffic to the east in Westmoreland County.

A full closure of I-70 in both directions in Speers is scheduled Thursday and Friday, beginning at 8 p.m. each day and continuing until 6 a.m. the following morning.

Longer-term evening and overnight lane restrictions are to begin Monday and are expected to continue for up to five weeks between the Belle Vernon and Arnold City exits. PennDOT has cautioned motorists to expect delays.

The closure and detour in Speers is required so crews can demolish one side of a bridge that carries Maple Drive over I-70. The work is part of a project to replace the bridge with a new span that will have an increased clearance over the interstate.

According to PennDOT, the bridge’s bottom beams, with a current clearance of 14.3 feet, have been struck periodically by tall vehicles on the interstate. The new bridge will have a clearance of 16.5 feet.

During the closure, traffic headed east on I-70 will take the Speers exit and cross Maple Drive to re-enter the interstate. Westbound traffic will take the Charleroi/Allenport exit and will make successive left turns onto northbound Route 88, First Street and Twilight Hollow Road. Motorists then will turn left onto the ramp for re-entering westbound I-70.

Single-lane restrictions on the interstate, between the Belle Vernon and Arnold City exits, will be in place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Those lane closures will allow crews to allow to mill and pave. Other tasks will include sweeping and sealing of the roadway.

Work will begin first on the eastbound lanes of I-70.

Visit i-70projects.com to learn more about completed and pending improvement projects along the interstate in Westmoreland and Washington counties.