Section Q20 Roundabouts
Construction Completed in 2024!
The 2024 construction season marked the completion of Section Q20, between Route 819 and Norvelt, the first of three projects of the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project. 2024 construction highlights included:
- Flattening sharp curves near Cherry Wood Estates
- Completing landscape architecture at the State St./Hecla Rd. roundabout
- 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
- Completion of the Norvelt roundabout, consolidating five intersections to streamline traffic flow
2023 Construction Highlights
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
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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.
Project 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 was completed in the fall 2024 construction season.
SR 981, Section Q20
Project Area Map
Learn more about the planned improvements for SR 981, Section Q20.
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