Detours are planned for mid-July at the Interstate 81/Route 174 interchange in Cumberland County. The detours are associated with a $3 million, 5.2-mile resurfacing project on Route 174 (Walnut Bottom Road) in Shippensburg, Southampton and South Newton townships. The project extends from I-81 in Shippensburg Township to about 0.5 miles east of Maple Avenue/High Mountain Road in South Newton Township.
Currently, base repairs and milling are being performed within the project limits. Weather permitting, paving will begin Wednesday, June 25. The contractor will work from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Motorists will encounter lane restrictions under flagging while the contractor places a leveling (or “scratch”) layer of pavement, after which the final pavement surface will be placed.
After this work is completed, the contractor will move to nighttime operations to mill and pave at the interchange. This work is expected to begin on Sunday, July 13. Work will be from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sunday through Thursday nights for about two weeks. The following temporary detours will be in place at various times while work is completed at the end of the ramps:
- Southbound I-81 off-ramp to Route 174: Travelers should continue south on I-81 to Exit 24 (Route 696) then return north on I-81 to Exit 29 and Route 174.
- Route 174 on-ramp to southbound I-81: Travelers should take Route 174 west to Route 11, then take Route 11 south to Route 696, then Route 696 south to southbound I-81 at Exit 24.
- Northbound I-81 off-ramp to Route 174: Travelers should continue north on I-81 north to Exit 37 (Route 233) then return south on I-81 to Exit 29 and Route 174.
- Route 174 on-ramp to northbound I-81: Travelers should take I-81 south to Exit 24 (Route 696) to northbound I-81.
This project consists of asphalt resurfacing, milling, base repair, drainage improvement, guiderail updates, line painting, sign updates, milled centerline rumble strips and other miscellaneous construction.
Pennsy Supply of Harrisburg is the contractor. All work is expected to be completed Oct. 7.
