HARRISBURG – Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation invite the public to offer comments through Aug. 17 about an online plan display regarding the Route 3017 (Rockdale Road) culvert replacement project over a Tributary to Back Creek in Peters Township, approximately five miles northeast of Mercersburg.
The purpose of this project is to replace the existing culvert and provide continued safe and efficient crossing of Rockdale Road over the Tributary to Back Creek.
The culvert will be closed to all traffic for approximately six months during construction. The detour will be approximately 13.6 miles using Rockdale Road, Stitzells Road, Meyers Road, Lemar Road, Parnell Drive, Mercersburg Road, Lincoln Way and Pioneer Drive.
The existing corrugated metal pipe-arch culvert was built in 1951 at a 75-degree skew to the roadway. The maximum opening width is 12 feet, measured along the skewed opening.
The project involves the replacement of the corrugated metal pipe-arch culvert with a precast concrete box culvert. In addition to the replacement of the stream crossing, minor approach roadway reconstruction, along with guide rail, pavement marking and signing updates will also be completed as part of the project.
A temporary stream diversion (cofferdam setup) will be required. The proposed roadway shoulder to shoulder width will remain similar to the existing conditions with 11-foot lanes and two-foot shoulders.
This section of Rockdale Road has an average daily traffic volume of 233 vehicles per day.
Overhead utilities are present at the site and de-energization, or relocation may be required to place the beams.
The project is currently in design, and construction work is anticipated to begin in Spring 2027.
The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and solicit public input, questions or concerns regarding the project.
A digital version of the information is available to view online with the comment period through Aug. 17.
Information, including bridge plans and an interactive comment form, can be found by visiting the PennDOT District 8 website, PennDOT District 8, clicking Projects Near You listed on the left side of the page, then the District 8 Projects, and Rockdale Road Culvert Replacement.
The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project. It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the project’s potential effect upon cultural resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
