As PennDOT wraps up year, focus turns to Route 61 grade, their largest non-interstate project in east-central PA
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Route 61 S-Curves near Darkwater, seen on Dec. 12, 2023.
NEW SMITHVILLE, Berks County – As PennDOT executives gathered in rural Berks County with the newly-improved Interstate 78 near Kutztown as a backdrop, they shared an update on the upcoming Route 61 project in our area.
The press conference provided the state agency an opportunity to share with the press reflections on completed projects and updates on ongoing or upcoming projects in their District 5, covering Schuylkill, Carbon, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, and Monroe counties.
Chris Kufro, District 5 Executive, said that they repaired or replaced 362 bridges across the district, paved 64 miles of roadway, and seal-coated another 345 miles of roadway.
“We currently have 95 active construction projects with a contract value totaling almost $1 Billion,” Kufro said. “A good portion of this investment is focused on the Interstate system,” adding that $350 Million is earmarked for I-78, $110 Million for I-80, and $20 Million for I-81.
“PennDOT will continue to work with regional planning partners to identify projects and continue improving safety and mobility in east-central Pennsylvania,” Kufro added.
Regarding upcoming projects, Kufro said the reconstruction and reconfiguration of Route 61 between Frackville and Saint Clair — the Grade — is the largest non-Interstate project they have coming up.
He said a contractor is in “pre-award status” and are working through contractual issues.
“We’re looking forward to that contractor proceeding and [construction] getting started after the new year,” Kufro said.
Kufro said the first phase will be cutting trees and performing utility work.
“You won’t see a lot of the heavy duty road work kicking into gear [at first],” Kufro told the Sentinel.
PennDOT began land acquisition for the project over the summer.
At that time, they said the project will cost between $113 Million and $117 Million and is largely funded by traditional transportation funds from the state and federal governments, in addition to a $21 Million federal Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant.
Construction on the project is anticipated to last through 2028.
They plan to widen and straighten sections of the highway, including “dead man’s curve” on Route 61 South, as well as the S-curves near Darkwater to improve safety.
A traffic signal will also be added at the Darkwater Road intersection.
Another project PennDOT said is upcoming is the replacement of the Lincoln Drive bridge over the Reading and Northern Railroad in Hometown.
That bridge closed in September after an inspection showed significant deterioration where the main pieces of structural steel meet.
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