Section Q20 Roundabouts
Norvelt Roundabout Now Open!
The Section Q20 project reached a major milestone with the opening of the Norvelt Roundabout on May 23. This roundabout consolidates three intersections into one efficient intersection outside the existing roadway template, greatly minimizing impacts on local businesses and residences. The transformation includes the existing Route 981 now serving as the park entrance, with Route 981 extending north following the former trolley line for smoother travel.
Roundabouts greatly improve safety and efficiency. They reduce fatal crashes by 90% and injury-causing crashes by 75%, thanks to fewer conflict points and lower speeds. They also improve traffic flow, handling 30% more vehicles during peak times with minimal delay.
Final Construction Season Underway!
The 2024 construction season will mark completion of Section Q20, between Route 819 and Norvelt, the first of three projects of the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project. As the project approaches this significant milestone, motorists are urged to remain mindful of ongoing construction activities, including the presence of workers and potential changes in traffic patterns such as lane restrictions and detours. We thank the community for their ongoing patience and cooperation throughout construction!
2024 construction activities will include:
- Flattening sharp curves near Cherry Wood Estates
- Completing landscape architecture at the State St./Hecla Rd. roundabout
- Completion of the Norvelt roundabout, consolidating five intersections to streamline traffic flow
- Completion of new alignments, one north of Pennsylvania Turnpike and one north of Norvelt, to connect to existing Route 981 at Waltons Lane and near Windy Hill Court, respectively
- Installation of two cul-de-sacs on old Route 981
- Rehabilitation of the roadway and existing bridge structure along old Route 981
In addition to the Norvelt Roundabout detour, other detours that are planned for the 2024 construction season include:
Route 981 Detours
Anticipated Timing:
Work Area #1: Complete!
Work Area #2: Complete!
Estimated Duration: 15 calendar days
Purpose:
Work Area #1: Connect realigned Route 981 to existing Route 981 near Waltons Lane
Work Area #2: Realignment, grade adjustments for Route 981 tie-in to Hecla Road/ State Street roundabout
Boyer Road Detour
Anticipated Timing: Early spring
Estimated Duration: 15 calendar days
Purpose: Construct Boyer Road intersection with realigned Route 981
Click to enlarge detour map
Norvelt Detour
Anticipated Timing: Early spring
Estimated Duration: Two months
Purpose: Connect new Route 981 to Norvelt roundabout
Click to enlarge detour map
Old Route 981 Detour
Anticipated Timing: Late spring
Estimated Duration: 15 calendar days
Purpose: Rehabilitate Old Route 981 bridge over Boyer Run
Norvelt Roundabout Detour
Anticipated Timing: Complete
Estimated Duration: 15 calendar days
Purpose: Connect Hecla Road (Route 2027) to newly constructed roundabout
Click to enlarge detour map
Work Zone Safety Is Everyone's Responsibility
2023 Construction Highlights
The roundabouts at Hecla Road/State Street and Route 981/819 are complete and open to traffic! Explore the links below to learn more about how roundabouts will operate within the project area.
How to Navigate Roundabouts
Roundabouts are an innovation that are proven to save lives and reduce crashes and crash severity.
Watch VideoHow Trucks and Large Vehicles Use Roundabouts
Roundabouts are easy to navigate, even for tractor-trailers and other large vehicles.
Watch VideoThe following were also completed in 2023:
New Boyer Run Bridge
Realignment of Route 981 near Norvelt
Pavement placed on new Route 981
- Reconstruction and widening of Route 981 from the new roundabout through the existing S-curve south of Cherry Blossom Lane
- Drainage improvements and off-alignment work near Windy Hill Road
- Replacement of the Hurst Run culvert
2022 Construction Highlights
- Excavated for the new Route 981 alignment between Carpentertown Road and Walton's Lane. Work is ongoing for the 1.75-mile new alignment north of the PA Turnpike including
- Relocation of Carpentertown Road
- Construction of a new Route 981/Boyer Road intersection
- New bridge constructed over Boyer Run.
2021 Construction Highlights
- Began physical construction on December 6, 2021
- Demolition of residential structures acquired during the right-of-way process
- Clearing and grubbing for new alignment and widening areas
- Placing erosion and sedimentation controls.
- Groundbreaking ceremony: November 12, 2021
Project Contacts
Project Overview
Route 981, Section Q20 is approximately 4.5 miles and extends from the intersection of Route 981 and Route 819, just north of Mount Pleasant Borough, and ends near the intersection of Route 981 and Route 2023 in Norvelt, Mount Pleasant Township. Section Q20 primarily follows Route 981 with some offline shifts to improve the roadway.
Anticipated Schedule
On June 10, 2021, PennDOT advertised the Section Q20 plans for contractors to bid on. All bids were opened on July 29, 2021, and the construction contract was awarded to Walsh Construction Company in late Summer 2021.
Walsh Construction Company of Pittsburgh, PA was issued Notice to Proceed (NTP) by PennDOT on September 21, 2021, marking the official start of construction.
Construction of this project will be completed in the 2024 construction season.
Route 981, Section Q20
Project Area Map
Learn more about the planned improvements for Route 981, Section Q20.
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